ITV has pulled Emmerdale and Coronation Street from its evening schedule tonight, Wednesday 12th August, to broadcast a pre-season friendly between Manchester United and Leeds United. The football match, which kicks off at 7.30pm on ITV1, occupies the usual 8pm Emmerdale and 8.30pm Coronation Street slots, leaving soap fans without their regular Wednesday night drama.
The schedule change comes after a summer of disruptions for ITV's soaps, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other sporting events already forcing multiple alterations to the usual weekday line-up. Football coverage begins at 7pm on ITV1, with the match itself starting at 7.30pm, taking over the entire evening block where viewers would normally watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Soaps return tomorrow with regular schedule
Emmerdale and Coronation Street will both return to their regular slots tomorrow, Thursday 13th August, with Emmerdale airing at 8pm and Coronation Street at 8.30pm. The two soaps are part of ITV's weekday 'power hour', sharing a 60-minute block from Monday to Friday. Episodes are also available on ITVX from 7am on the day they air, allowing impatient viewers to catch up earlier.
In Emmerdale, the fallout from Dr Caitlin Todd's death continues, with Sarah Sugden having pushed Caitlin, leading to her fatal fall. Sarah and Charity were both arrested, but Charity decided to take responsibility for the incident, leaving the Woolpack landlady facing an uncertain future as the truth emerges.
Coronation Street drama intensifies
In Coronation Street, Sarah Platt remains behind bars as the investigation into the murder of Theo Silverton continues. Gary Windass has appeared ready to confess, adding to the uncertainty about what happens next. Both storylines are set to resume when the soaps return tomorrow, with the usual drama picking up where viewers left off.
Until then, football has won this round, but soap fans won't have to wait long for their next fix, as both shows return tomorrow evening.
