The English Football League (EFL) has struck a new deal with Sky Sports to broadcast more than 1,000 games live on TV from next season, with a brand-new channel being added to their overallpackage,which will let fans watch their club at least 20 times every year.
Better still, the new channel will come at no extra charge to existing Sky Sports customers and help get more eyes on the lower leagues each week.
Making the announcement on Monday, 13 May, the EFL confirmed that there are set to be more games than ever aired by the broadcaster thanks to the new record deal and the introduction of Sky Sports+, a new red-button style channel and streaming service allowing fans more freedom.
Kicking off from 2024/25 and running until 2028/29, the new TV rights deal will see a total of 1,059 EFL matches shown across multiple platforms in a contract worth £895m and £40m in marketing benefits.
Watch your EFL team over 20 times a season from next season, live on Sky Sports.
As per the official press release, Sky Sports has promised to broadcast a minimum of 328 Sky Bet Championship matches, 248 League One matches and the same number of League Two matches.
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In addition to the normal season fixtures, they will also be delivering every playoff game throughout the EFL, as well as all of the 93 Carabao Cup and 127 EFL Trophy matches for the very first time.
Breaking this down to how this looks each round, this equates to 10 live EFL fixtures shown each weekend: Championship games and another five split between the third and fourth divisions.
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According to Sky themselves, this represents “a 50% increase on the value of the current rights agreement and will see significantly enhanced exposure for all EFL clubs provided through on-air and digital support from Sky Sports to promote EFL competitions, clubs, and community initiatives.”
The EFL agrees a new four-year international broadcast deal from next season worth a minimum of £150m – a 40% increase on the existing deal 💰📈 pic.twitter.com/Ktm7KasbwE
With the 3pm/Article 48 TV blackout remaining in Britain, this means that more games will be scheduled outside of this time zone, however, they are also promising to give better notice periods for fixtures selected for TV broadcast and Sky Sports+ coverage.
The new Sky x EFL deal will also ensure that all opening, final day and midweek fixtures in the Sky Bet EFL will be shown live, as well as all games played on Bank Holidays including Easter, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and lower league fixtures pencilled in for the international breaks.
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Fans further down the pyramid have been crying out for better visibility when it comes to their clubs for years, making this a landmark moment in the history of English football, but one that still goes to show just how much TV rights and the entertainment industry continues to dominate the beautiful game.
Still, more games for everyone to enjoy on the telly – that’s a good thing, right?
Jadon Sancho looks set to leave Manchester United for good – and he could be heading back ‘home’
Danny Jones
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho looks all set to leave the club permanently this summer, and as per the latest reports, his next destination could be back at one of his previous ones: Borussia Dortmund.
Having become somewhat of a forgotten man after being loaned out to three different places since being effectively exiled from the first team under Erik ten Hag’s tenure, Jadon Sancho’s career hasn’t exactly progressed as many thought it would.
Enjoying loan spells not only back at Dortmund for the latter half of the 2023/24 season and even playing in a Champions League final, before then being loaned to Chelsea – winning the UEFA Conference League trophy – and then spending this campaign with Aston Villa, he’s been all over, even at 25.
Given his Southern roots prior to eventually coming through Man City’s youth academy, it was thought that he might stay down in London at one point; however, it now seems increasingly possible that he could return to Germany, where his breakthrough began.
Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing Jadon Sancho.
Sancho, who is currently on-loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, will be out of contract in June, having moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for €85million (£73m; $97.9m at current rates) in July 2021.… pic.twitter.com/TKjirKUW2W
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) March 19, 2026
While Man United do technically have the option to extend his stay, and the England international hasn’t experienced life under Michael Carrick, the feeling is that it is unlikely this will be the outcome.
It seems especially improbable given that it still remains to be seen who the permanent manager at the Theatre of Dream will be, as there is no guarantee he would form part of their plans moving forward.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has since corroborated the already ‘tier one’ outlet, clarifying that the decision for Sancho to leave United was made “months ago” and adding that the Bundesliga side is “keen” if all the personal terms can be ironed out.
Despite not having played for the red half of Manchester since 16 August 2023, there are some among the fan base who would like to see a universe where he gets a second chance at Old Trafford – then again, there are also plenty in the Midlands who would like to see him stay in Birmingham, too.
Steadily regaining some form, he also grabbed a key assist in the Villains’ recent 2-0 win over West Ham.
As always with marquee signings, even if things haven’t quite worked out, part of the obstacle will obviously be finding a suitor willing to pay his wages and/or the talent’s willingness to maybe take a pay cut, with Sancho said to be on one of the highest salaries not just at MUFC but in the English top flight.
Either way, he is currently due to leave as a free agent this coming summer transfer window, and the chances are he won’t staying on their books much longer.
Meanwhile, in transfer news in and around Greater Manchester, one fellow Premier League star has not only been heavily linked with a move to swap one United for another, but apparently he’s been ‘personally recommended’ as a potential successor by one current player.
An official and completely FREE Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
Yes, last year’s newest and official Manchester Marathon fan zone is returning for 2026, promising more positive pre- and post-race vibes than the first time around.
Here’s hoping for some lovely sunshine to go along with the atmosphere on 19 April.
Set to host the city centre’s runners and spectators for just the second time, Circle Square’s Symphony Park will be home to the 2026 Manc Marathon fan park, complete with independent pop-ups, big screens to watch all the action on, plus plenty more.
Best of all, it’s completely free to enter all day long for participants and those of you cheering your loved ones along, as well as being an ideal all-ages spot for families to relax and enjoy.
Located just moments from the finish line, just outside the University of Manchester along Oxford Road Corridor, you simply follow it down towards the tall Vita Group and Bruntwood SciTech buildings.
Circle Square itself hosts many events and activities all throughout the year, and they couldn’t resist getting back in on the raceday party once again, as more legends are set to take part than ever.
For context, 2025 saw more than 35,000 sign-ups, but this April is expected to see a whopping sold-out crowd exceeding 42,000 – a record number for the annual event.
With that in mind, finding a place to fit all of them and the countless fans who come along to cheer them on from the sidelines is paramount, so it’s a good job the Symphony Park x MCR Marathon fan zone will be open from 9am on the day.
Here are some more scenes from the last edition:
Credit: Jody Hartley (supplied)
Although more are set to be revealed nearer the time, visitors can expect “a lively schedule of entertainment, food and drink pop-ups, family-friendly activities and special offers from our community of independent businesses and brands.”
Set to close around 5pm as the hordes of runners will doubt either head home for a long bath, leg rub or straight to the pub for their victory pints, we can assure you lots of time will be spent on the square.
Danny Jones -
14th May 2024 
