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Football

31st Aug 2016

Champions League set for a major overhaul with kick-off times set to be moved

Even more football coming our way

Simon Lloyd

Monday Night Football, early kick off on Saturday, late kick off on Saturday, Super Sunday and now Friday Night Football as well.

And with European football taking care of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, you can find football on TV almost any time you care too.

And you’re about to get even more.

Why? Well, kick-off times of Champions League matches are set to be altered from the start of the 2018-19 season, meaning there will be even more live matches on your telly throughout the week.

Matches in Europe’s premier cup competition currently start at 19.45 [Irish time], with exception made for fixtures played in countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan. However, according to a report from German newspaper, Sport BildUefa intends to introduce start times of 20:00 and 22:00 for matches taking place in Europe’s premier cup competition, emulating the current Europa League kick-off times.

Real Madrid v Club Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

Unsurprisingly, money appears to be at the heart of the decision to make the change.

With different kick-off times, there’s even more football to be watched on television and therefore greater opportunity to increase revenue from marketing and the sale of TV rights.

Uefa also intend to grant four direct places in the Champions League group stages for each of the continent’s top four leagues. This means that English clubs won’t have to qualify for the competition as Manchester City have done this season. With the new TV deal, it also means that it’s highly unlikely any English teams will be playing at precisely the same time.

The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.

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