Why Man City vs Leeds United is on TV despite kicking off during 3pm blackout

Manchester City are back in action this weekend when they take on Leeds United.

Pep Guardiola’s men have been in superb form of late, but they must continue to win if they want to remain in control of their title destiny. Arsenal continue to keep up the pressure, though they have a difficult test themselves this weekend, facing an in-form Newcastle United side.

As for City, they welcome Leeds this weekend, and the Whites are wounded after a torrid run, currently just goal difference above the drop. Leeds decided to part ways with sporting director Victor Orta this week, and that wasn’t the end of it, with Javi Gracia getting the sack to make way for veteran Sam Allardyce.

Saturday’s fixture is on television despite kicking off at 3pm, and here we explain the strange situation.

How is the 3pm kick-off on television?

It’s common knowledge at this point that discussions are ongoing over doing away with the 3pm blackout, but the broadcasting of this fixture has nothing to do with those discussions.

It remains prohibited to show 3pm Saturday kick-offs on televisions, but this game will be an exception. Manchester City face Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League, meaning the game cannot be played on Sunday. Liverpool’s clash Brentford is being shown late on Saturday, with police resources also an issue, while the coronation is taking place on early Saturday afternoon, meaning there is no broadcast spot.

With the game already selected for broadcast, the only remaining option is for the game to be shown on television at 3pm.

What have the Premier League said?

The Premier League have said in a statement: “With Manchester City visiting Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday 9 May, their home match with Leeds United has moved from Sunday 7 May to 15:00 BST on Saturday 6 May.

“The match will remain live on Sky Sports in the UK, subject to further consultation with relevant stakeholders regarding Article 48.

“The usual Saturday 12:30 BST UK live broadcast slot has been avoided so as not to clash with the King’s Coronation. A later kick-off is not possible due to police resourcing.”

Where is the fixture being shown?

This fixture will be shown live on Sky Sports, both on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports PL.

Coverage will kick off at 2pm, concluding at 5pm. Subscribers can also tune in via Sky Go, while highlights clips will be posted by Sky Sports during the game.

As usual, highlights of the fixture will be available from early on Sunday morning, across Sky Sports’ YouTube channel, as well as the official channels of each of the clubs. Fans can also tune into extended highlights on Match of the Day, which will be broadcast on BBC One at 10.30pm.

Given it is the exception, this game is the only game that will be shown live during this weekend’s round of 3pm fixtures, in the Premier League or otherwise.