Wigan Athletic's opening League One fixture against Cambridge United will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this Saturday at 3pm BST, breaking the usual '3pm blackout' rule. The Latics, who finished 14th last season with 56 points (14W-14D-16L), will kick off their campaign in front of a TV audience for the first time in years.
Why is the 3pm blackout lifted?
The traditional 3pm blackout, enforced by UEFA's Article 48, prevents live TV broadcasts of matches between 14:45 and 17:15 BST. However, this weekend's exception occurs because fewer than 50% of top-two division matches are scheduled for the same kick-off time. With the Premier League not in action, only six Championship games start at 3pm, allowing the EFL to broadcast all 25 fixtures across its divisions.
What does this mean for Wigan Athletic?
For Wigan Athletic, this means their first game of the 2026-27 season will have a wider audience than usual. The Latics, who scored 49 goals and conceded 56 last season, will face Cambridge United in a match that could set the tone for their campaign. Fans can watch the game live on Sky Sports, a rare opportunity to see their team in a traditionally restricted time slot.
When will the blackout return?
The 3pm blackout will resume when the Premier League returns on August 22-23. The current TV rights cycle, which includes this exception, runs until the end of the 2028-29 season. Wigan Athletic's next home game after this opener will be against another League One side, with details to be confirmed.
