EFL clubs are told NOT to bring forward kick-off times to save on energy bills… with Mansfield already deciding their League Two clash with Swindon will start at 1pm and other clubs considering following suit
- The EFL is set to warn teams against bringing forward kick-off times this winter
- Mansfield will kick-off at 1pm against Swindon instead of the scheduled 3pm
- The EFL believes that the money saved on energy bills will be lost in other areas
The EFL will tell clubs on Thursday not to bring kick-off times forward in an attempt to reduce energy bills after concluding that any savings will be offset by bigger losses in other areas.
Mansfield have become the first EFL club to shift kick-off in response to the energy crisis, with their League Two game against Walsall on October 15 now kicking off at 1pm, and other clubs are considering following suit.
A survey from reform group Fair Game of 40 clubs earlier this month revealed that 12 EFL teams would consider earlier kick-offs to reduce bills, but the EFL will advise against such a move at a meeting of all 72 clubs on Thursday.
The EFL are set to warn clubs not to change kick-off times to lower energy costs this winter
Kicking off earlier during winter could reduce energy bills, but the EFL’s research has shown that these savings would be wiped out by reduced income from hospitality and ticket sales.
The money that can be generated by corporate hospitality is far lower from early kick-offs as there is less appetite from fans for food and alcohol consumption at that time of the day.
The EFL are unlikely to make an announcement after Thursday’s meeting, which will be chaired by chairman Rick Parry and chief executive Trevor Birch, and will still consider any applications made by clubs wanting to kick-off early.
Mansfield have already moved their kick-off against Swindon forward by two hours to 1pm