Premier League announces March television schedule
The Premier League has announced its March television schedule and kick-off times, with a total of 30 fixtures rescheduled from their original slots, reports BritPanorama.
Manchester United supporters face a particularly difficult journey, with Michael Carrick’s team handed an 8pm start at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Friday, March 20. The late evening kick-off means travelling fans must complete a 308-mile round trip on a weeknight, inevitably disrupting supporters’ arrangements.
Many of the rearranged matches remain provisional, dependent on clubs’ involvement in European competitions and domestic cup runs throughout the coming weeks. Liverpool supporters find themselves in a frustrating position, as only one of their three March fixtures has been confirmed with a date and time.
The Reds are currently scheduled to visit Wolves at 8.15pm on Tuesday, March 3, host Tottenham at 4.30pm on Sunday, March 15, and travel to Brighton at 12.30pm on Saturday, March 21. However, the Wolves fixture could be moved to 7.30pm on March 4 if Aston Villa features in Europa League action on February 26.
The Brighton trip would move to an 8pm slot if Liverpool has Champions League commitments on March 18. Manchester City face similar uncertainty over their March programme, with Pep Guardiola’s side having certainty over only one fixture— their home meeting with Nottingham Forest at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 4.
Their lunchtime trip to West Ham on March 14 could be pushed back to 8pm if City is playing away in the Champions League three days earlier. Arsenal also has three rescheduled fixtures, with one potentially subject to further alteration. The Gunners are set to visit Brighton on March 4, welcome Everton on March 15, and travel to Wolves on March 21.
The Wolves game could change at a later date, particularly if Arsenal reaches the Carabao Cup final, where they will carry a 3-2 advantage over Chelsea into the semi-final second leg at the Emirates. The Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland is pencilled in for midday on Sunday, March 22, though this remains contingent on the Magpies’ Carabao Cup progress — they currently trail Manchester City 2-0 heading into the second leg of their semi-final.
The Carabao Cup final takes place on Sunday, March 16. Most of the month’s marquee encounters will be broadcast live, with Sky Sports and TNT Sports sharing coverage across the fixture list. However, supporters hoping to watch Manchester United’s home clash with Aston Villa will be disappointed, as the 3pm Saturday kick-off on March 14 falls outside the television window.
This reshuffle not only highlights the challenges of scheduling in a busy football calendar but also underscores the intricate balance between domestic and European commitments for clubs vying for silverware on multiple fronts.
