Eight Premier League games go live this weekend amid European clashes
Eight of the ten Premier League fixtures for Matchweek 7 of the 2025/26 seasonEngland will be shown live on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, a set‑up that shatters the usual weekend rhythm.
The driver behind this unprecedented coverage is the sheer number of clubs juggling domestic duties with European commitments. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are still fighting in the Europa League, while Crystal Palace is battling in the UEFA Conference League. Those mid‑week trips forced the Premier League board to reshuffle three of its fixtures onto Sunday, creating a packed four‑game slot at 2:00 pm.
Kick‑off action begins early on Friday, when AFC Bournemouth host Fulham at the Vitality Stadium. Sky Sports will carry the match as part of its "Friday Night Football" slot.
Saturday’s line‑up is a blend of tradition and surprise. Leeds United welcome Tottenham Hotspur in a lunchtime clash on TNT Sports, while the evening sees the classic blue‑versus‑red showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool on Sky Sports.
Sunday, October 5, 2025, is where the schedule really bends. Four matches — Aston Villa vs Burnley, Everton vs Crystal Palace, Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brighton & Hove Albion — all kick off simultaneously at 2:00 pm. The day concludes with the marquee "Super Sunday" fixture: Manchester City travel to Brentford Community Stadium for a 4:30 pm showdown against Brentford.
Why the schedule is so packed
European evenings have a way of crowding the domestic calendar. When Forest, Villa and Palace return from Thursday night continental fixtures, the Premier League has a narrow window to avoid mid‑week clashes that would strain player recovery. The solution? Shift the three affected clubs to the Sunday 2:00 pm slot, which also meant moving a handful of other games to keep the broadcast balance.
That decision also gave Sky Sports and TNT Sports an opportunity to split the broadcast load more evenly. Historically, Sky would dominate the Saturday evening window while TNT’s presence was limited to a handful of Friday night games. This weekend, TNT picks up the Leeds‑Tottenham lunchtime match and the 2:00 pm Sunday block, giving its subscribers a richer slate.
What fans will actually see on TV
- Sky Sports – Friday night Bournemouth v Fulham, Saturday evening Chelsea v Liverpool, and the Super Sunday Manchester City v Brentford.
- TNT Sports – Saturday lunchtime Leeds United v Tottenham, plus all four Sunday 2:00 pm matches (Aston Villa v Burnley, Everton v Crystal Palace, Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton).
The two games left out of live coverage are Arsenal’s clash with West Ham United and Manchester United’s trip to Sunderland. Both will be played at the traditional 3:00 pm Saturday slot, which remains blacked‑out for television under UK broadcasting rules.
Clubs missing out and the blackout rule
For Arsenal fans, the omission is a gut punch. The Gunners are riding a six‑game unbeaten run and could leap to the top of the table with a win over West Ham. Yet the 3:00 pm blackout means supporters will have to listen on the radio or wait for highlights.
Manchester United’s situation is a bit different. Under Ruben Amorim, the club has managed just nine wins from thirty‑three league outings. The Sunderland game, while not televised, offers a low‑pressure environment to experiment. Still, the blackout caps exposure and advertising revenue for a club desperate for a turnaround.
Expert take on the European clash effect
Former England midfielder Gary Lineker told the BBC that “when you have three clubs in Europe, the ripple effect stretches across the whole league. It’s not just about fixture timing; it’s about squad rotation, travel fatigue, and the way fans engage with the product.”
Data analyst Sarah Patel of Opta notes that clubs playing mid‑week European fixtures see an average 15% drop in domestic points per game, a statistic that likely will surface again this season.
What’s next for the weekend
After the Super Sunday finale, the league will return to a more conventional schedule for Matchweek 8, with the usual Saturday evening slot back in place. However, the calendar remains tight; the next round of European fixtures hits on Thursday, meaning another potential reshuffle could be looming.
Fans of the clubs left in the blackout are already eyeing the next broadcasting window, hoping that a favourable swing of European draws will free up a prime‑time slot for their teams.
Key Facts
- Matchweek 7 dates: October 4‑5, 2025
- Live coverage: Sky Sports (5 games) and TNT Sports (3 games)
- Four simultaneous 2:00 pm Sunday matches due to European commitments
- Arsenal v West Ham and Manchester United v Sunderland remain blacked‑out
- Super Sunday climax: Manchester City at Brentford Community Stadium, 4:30 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Arsenal and Manchester United not on TV?
Both fixtures fall in the 3:00 pm Saturday slot, which is protected by the UK football blackout rule. The rule prevents live broadcast of matches whose kickoff is at the traditional Saturday afternoon time, limiting them to radio, internet streaming (outside the UK) or highlight shows.
Which clubs had their league games moved because of European matches?
Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa were involved in the Europa League, while Crystal Palace competed in the Conference League. Their domestic fixtures were shifted to Sunday to avoid a clash with Thursday night European ties.
What is the "Super Sunday" concept?
Super Sunday is a top‑flight, primetime slot reserved for a high‑profile match, usually featuring one of the league's title‑contenders. This weekend it showcases Manchester City’s away game at Brentford at 4:30 pm, giving fans a marquee finale after a busy Sunday.
How might the packed Sunday schedule affect player performance?
Four games start at the same time, meaning clubs have limited recovery windows before the next round of fixtures. Sports scientists warn that condensed schedules can increase injury risk and reduce tactical preparation, especially for teams also juggling European travel.
When will the next possible schedule reshuffle occur?
The following mid‑week European round lands on Thursday, September 12, 2025. If a similar number of clubs are involved, the Premier League may again move select matches to Sunday to protect player welfare and broadcast revenue.
Michelle Roque
Looks like a crazy weekend, hope the fans survive the madness.