Following a deal with Sky Sports, the EFL will implement a flexible framework to ensure that fans of the Championship, League 1 and League 2 will be able to broadcast or stream every match whilst football remains behind closed doors.
The arrangement will see Sky Sports show 130 live EFL league matches throughout the 2020/21 season. Fixtures which are not live on Sky Sports will be available to stream via the clubs iFollow or or other streaming service for a price of £10 per match.
Additionally, club season ticket holders will be provided access to all home games, subject to the agreement of the club where the supporter holds a season ticket. EFL Championship fans will also gain access to away midweek matches as part of the season ticket package, if the team chooses to offer it.
EFL Chief Executive, David Baldwin, stated: “There is no argument that attending live matches is what the league, its clubs and fans want to see and, clearly, the overriding objective is to get supporters back into stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, this framework allows our clubs, if they so wish, to reward their most loyal supporters by providing what we hope is only short-term access to watch their matches.
“It’s important that whilst the doors remain fully, or part shut, we ensure there is the ability for fans of all EFL clubs to be able to gain access and watch their team and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sky Sports for their support in this matter. Collectively, it’s not our preferred situation but given the circumstances COVID has presented us it gives us a temporary option whilst we finalise our plans for fans returning.”
The EFL has reiterated that the match-by-match and season ticket offer is only a temporary measure whilst clubs operate at zero or a limited capacity. A review on the framework has been set for early October as to whether the system will continue, with the EFL regularly updating clubs and fans as to when new procedures will be introduced.
Whilst the EFL Championship season ticket offer has allowed limited away fixtures to be watched, the same will not apply for fans of League 1 and 2. Moreover, Carabao Cup first round fixtures not selected by Sky Sports will also be eligible for clubs to stream on a match pass basis at £10.
