PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have axed a little-known broadcasting rule ahead of next season.
There have been restrictions in place to stop youth-team matches being shown at the same time as senior top-flight games.
But that blackout has reportedly been lifted for the 2025/26 campaign.
Under-21 games in the Premier League 2 can now be live streamed even if they clash with fixtures on Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
Official club channels are ready to “take the lead” in showing the action.
But there are rumours of a TV deal in the coming years should viewing figures be significant.
According to CityAM “Premier League clubs have been given permission to live-stream all of their U21 matches from next season in a change from the existing regulations.”
The report added: “While club websites are expected to take the lead in streaming matches next season, the rights could be taken to market in subsequent years if there is sufficient demand.”
The rule change is a major boost for football fans up and down the country – especially Manchester United supporters.
Viewers have long complained about MUTV not showing enough youth-team fixtures live.
Just 14 of 35 Under-21 games were shown last season and just eight of those were Premier League 2 clashes.
Manchester Evening News report that the in-house channel was impacted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal job cuts.
Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad won the 2024/25 Premier League 2 after a 2-0 win over Southampton in the play-off final.
Premier League fans are set to deal with another year of the 3pm blackout, which prevents games being broadcast live at that time to protect attendances
Though reports suggest the measure could be axed when the current TV deal expires at the end of the 2028/29 season.
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