Aston Villa Fan Prince William Calls TV Blackout ‘Irritating’ | OneFootball

Football Blackout at 3pm Frustrates Prince William

Prince William has voiced his frustration over the long-standing rule that prevents football matches from being televised in the UK if they kick off at 3pm on a Saturday. The Aston Villa supporter, who also serves as patron of the English Football Association (FA), finds it “irritating” that he is unable to watch his team when he cannot attend matches in person.

“Getting up to Villa Park isn’t the easiest thing for me, but I like to watch as many games as I possibly can either by being there or on TV,” he said. “The biggest thing at home is trying to find it on TV sometimes because obviously you’ve got the Saturday 3pm blackout, which is irritating. But it’s really annoying that we still can’t watch our own team’s Premier League match in this country, but you can go abroad and watch any game any time.”

photo IMAGO

Origins of the 3pm Kick-Off Blackout

The rule, which has been in place since the 1960s, was designed to protect attendances at lower-league fixtures by preventing televised matches from drawing fans away from stadiums. Under UEFA regulations, football associations can request a blackout for a specific period, and the FA has consistently opted to uphold it.

The restriction remains in place despite recent discussions about modernising football broadcasting in England. When the Premier League renewed its domestic TV rights deal—set to run until 2029—the blackout was once again protected, ensuring that 3pm matches remain unavailable for UK audiences. Similarly, the latest English Football League (EFL) rights agreement maintains the same stance, despite growing calls for change.

Overseas Broadcasters Offer Greater Access

One of the major frustrations expressed by supporters is that international broadcasters have no such restrictions, meaning viewers outside the UK can watch all Premier League fixtures, including those that kick off at 3pm on a Saturday. This discrepancy has led to many fans questioning whether the rule remains relevant in an era of globalised football consumption.

For Prince William, the inconsistency is particularly frustrating. As an Aston Villa fan, his ability to follow the team is often limited by the blackout. Despite this, he remains highly engaged with the Villa fanbase and has even admitted to participating in online forums under an anonymous identity.

Prince William Engages in Fan Debates Online

In a rare insight into his football fandom, the Prince revealed that he frequently visits online forums to discuss Aston Villa with fellow supporters.

“I like going on the forums, I can be on there for ages,” he admitted. “I listen to what other fans have to say and give them my opinions. I get quite into it, definitely. It’s important to have that debate.”

His involvement highlights the deep connection he shares with the club and its supporters, reinforcing his status as one of the most prominent figures in English football’s fan culture.

With growing pressure from fans and evolving broadcasting landscapes, debate around the 3pm blackout rule is unlikely to disappear. Whether the tradition will eventually be reconsidered remains to be seen, but for now, Prince William and many others will continue to voice their frustration at a rule that seems increasingly outdated.