The Scottish Professional Football League has launched a tender for its next broadcast rights cycle, signalling a potential willingness to dismantle one of football’s longest-standing traditions by ending the 3pm Saturday TV blackout on matches.
The move represents a significant departure from the current broadcast model, which has restricted live television coverage of games scheduled for Saturday afternoons. The SPFL’s decision to seek offers for the next rights deal opens the door for broadcasters to show all Scottish Premiership games live beginning with the 2029-30 season.
A Landmark Broadcasting Shift
The blackout rule has been a fixture of British football for decades, originally implemented to protect stadium attendance figures and maintain the importance of attending matches in person. However, the SPFL’s tender process indicates the league may now be reconsidering this approach as viewing habits and broadcasting technology continue to evolve.
The decision to end the blackout is not yet finalized. The move will ultimately require approval from the 12 clubs that make up the Scottish Premiership, who will need to vote on whether to permit broadcasters full access to Saturday afternoon fixtures.
Timeline for Change
If approved by the member clubs, the new broadcast arrangement would take effect from the 2029-30 season, giving the current broadcast rights holders sufficient notice before the next cycle begins. This timeline allows for an orderly transition and gives potential bidders clarity on what the next tender offers.
The tender launch marks the SPFL’s formal recognition that market conditions and fan preferences may now support expanded live coverage of Scottish football, departing from a model that has defined the sport north of the border for generations.