Premier League's 2:05pm Kick-Offs Explained: TV & Fixture Clash

Unusual Kick-Off Times Puzzle Premier League Fans

Eagle-eyed football supporters scanning Sunday's Premier League fixtures were met with an unexpected sight: three high-profile matches all scheduled to begin at the highly unusual time of 2:05pm GMT. This departure from the standard Saturday 3:00pm or Sunday 2:00pm slots has left many fans curious about the reasoning behind the specific five-minute delay.

The TV Scheduling Behind the 2:05pm Starts

The primary driver for this scheduling anomaly is television. The day's action actually commences at 12:00pm with Crystal Palace hosting Manchester United at Selhurst Park. This match, broadcast live on TNT Sports, was originally slated for a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday. However, it was pushed back by nearly 24 hours because Palace faced Strasbourg in the Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.

This rescheduling created a potential overlap issue. To mitigate the risk of the 12:00pm and the subsequent afternoon matches overlapping, a request was made to delay the later games. According to The Athletic, Sky Sports made the formal request, which was approved by both the Premier League and all six clubs involved in the 2:05pm fixtures. The tightly packed schedule, exacerbated by upcoming midweek fixtures, left little room for manoeuvre, making the five-minute delay the most practical solution.

A Deeper Look at Today's Unprecedented Fixture List

While a 2:05pm start might seem bizarre, it is not without precedent in the top flight. Historical data reveals there have been 46 matches kicking off at 2:05pm throughout Premier League history, all occurring on Sundays. The very first was Aston Villa's 2-1 victory over Wolves in September 2010, and the most recent was Wolves' 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in May 2021.

What makes today truly historic is the scale. Never before have three Premier League matches kicked off simultaneously at 2:05pm. The league has also utilised other non-standard times like 4:05pm and 8:15pm in recent years to prevent broadcast clashes.

The focus at this unique time slot will be intense, particularly at the London Stadium where Liverpool, under Arne Slot, are in desperate need of a victory after three consecutive defeats. The reigning champions find themselves in a dismal 13th place, a staggering 11 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Elsewhere, Unai Emery's in-form Aston Villa welcome local rivals Wolves, and Nottingham Forest, riding a three-game winning streak, host Brighton. The day concludes with a blockbuster London derby at Stamford Bridge as table-toppers Arsenal face third-placed Chelsea at 4:30pm.