Is The Early Kick-Off Schedule Affecting EFL Attendances

Is The Early Kick-Off Schedule Affecting EFL Attendances

Sky Sports are at it again, as backing the early kick-off has now become common nature, given the vast range of selection of games you now have at 12:30 across the EFL. Yet, the new-look schedule is already having an effect on matchday attendances and with the winter season approaching, is the worst yet to come for EFL clubs?

A Suitable Alternative

Whilst understanding there are several factors that go into the matchday attendance figures, including team form, feasibility of travel and potential costs, the increase in early afternoon matches is just another reason for people to watch from the comfort of their own homes.

Now I know die-hard fans are reading this thinking, "Is this guy alright in the head?" Whilst I probably am not, factor in the unreliability of train services and the upcoming 650-mile round trip for Bradford fans making the trip to Plymouth. Thankfully, Sky Sports were on hand to select the game for a 12:30 coverage (Literally, why?). And as you can imagine, the Bradford faithful were delighted with this news...

Cancelled tickets and hotel room due to new KO time. First away game we’ve missed for about 3 years

Let’s hope the sky sports money is worth more to the Plymouth Argyle than the shortfall of fans attending…

— Steve Coulter (@SteveCoult40326) November 14, 2025

In effect, fans are left with minimal travel options, a 3am train from Leeds costing £90 alone or an overnight stay, both of which are not likely to be possible options for the majority. Even those that have not missed a match in years are victims of a system that I quite clearly am against in a conscious attempt to highlight all its faults.

The Opposing View

Perhaps I am being too harsh on a system designed to work in the best interests of the EFL Clubs, including developing exposure and mainstream coverage. As the data shows, the damage has not been as harmful as perhaps expected, with there being a minimal difference in fans going through the turnstiles, whether it be at 12:30 or 15:00, to support their side.

It also gives general football fans a push to watch EFL Football, particularly when the early Prem kick-off provides less entertainment than watching paint dry (more often than not nowadays). Lower league fans are reaping the rewards of being able to see more of their side's fixtures.

Repeating myself a bit here but this new EFL TV deal on Sky is amazing for football fans.

Sat with the lad watching live League 1 football at 8pm on a Saturday evening and he's learning there's more to football than just the Premier League!!

— Carlton Pie (@PieCarlton) September 28, 2024

Frustration From the Majority

Nevertheless, a vast amount of EFL football fans are heavily against the system infiltrating the traditional way of watching club football and it has gone as far as petitions circulating on social media to put an end to this woke nonsense.

Fans in particular are feeling constantly overlooked as attending matches is becoming more of a task instead of a thrill, particularly as ticket prices continue to be on the rise - however, that's a conversation for another day. It is not only fans sharing these frustrations, as former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba sides with the needs of the spectator.

Former Blades striker Carl Asaba has had his say on the new TV deal in the EFL.@asaba_carl | @adam3oxley | @footballheaven pic.twitter.com/1MEtFhiDXL

— BBC Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) July 1, 2024

A Future Fix

With the current TV deal set to be in place until the 28/29 season, there are some considerations to ensure every match is accessible for the football fan. The blatantly obvious suggestion is to consider the duration of the journey for travelling fans when selecting games for Sky Sports coverage. Whilst it is incredibly useful that Sky have planned to announce their selected fixtures well in advance, this does not affect both the length of journey and the cost that will be a deterring factor for many.

In my view, if Sky Sports wishes to incorporate the fans as suggested, then fans should be given an opportunity to vote for which matches they wish to see televised. Recognising that this has its flaws, such as people not voting at all in objection to the policy, this at least provides a voice for the spectator that has otherwise been absent since its introduction. Then again, football fans are rarely kept happy for a long period of time, so papering over the cracks will not prevent the leaks or the unpredictability of EFL Football.