ITV has confirmed that Emmerdale and Coronation Street will be taken off air on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to make way for live coverage of a Carabao Cup second-round match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8pm at Nottingham's City Ground, displacing Emmerdale from its usual 8pm slot and preventing Coronation Street from airing later in the evening.
Football Takes Priority Over Soap Schedules
The decision is part of ITV's ongoing deal with the English Football League, which allows the network to broadcast cup ties free on the main channel. For soap viewers, this marks another disruption to an already chaotic summer schedule. Earlier in 2026, the soaps were affected by coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with episodes moved around to accommodate live matches. According to ITV, the domestic football season's start means clashes between soaps and sport are not yet over.
Future Rugby World Cup Could Disrupt Daytime Line-Up
Looking ahead, ITV holds exclusive UK broadcasting rights for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, scheduled to take place in Australia from October 1 to November 13, 2027. All 37 matches are expected to air on ITV, with the time difference between Australia and the UK meaning some games will start between approximately 4am and 10am. This could potentially interrupt ITV's daytime schedule, including programmes such as Good Morning Britain, This Morning, and Loose Women.
Soap Fans Face Continued Schedule Changes
Emmerdale and Coronation Street have long been moved around the ITV schedule for major sporting events, according to the network. The timing of the latest football clash may be particularly frustrating for fans, as both shows have been building up storylines across the summer. For viewers planning to watch their usual Tuesday night episodes of the Dales and Weatherfield next week, alternative plans will be necessary.
