Antiquated Rule Shuts Out Thousands of Celtic Fans

Celtic’s clash with Aberdeen on October 19 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season. Both sides are in the top two of the table, and with Celtic only ahead on goal difference, this is a high-stakes encounter few would have predicted at the start of the campaign. However, despite the buzz surrounding the match, fans who aren’t heading to Celtic Park will be left without a legal way to watch the game live due to the infamous 3pm blackout rule and broadcasting restrictions.

Sky Sports, the SPFL’s main broadcaster, won’t be televising the match. As it stands, the broadcaster can only show live games from Celtic Park five times per season. So far, Sky has already been to Celtic Park twice this season—once for Flag Day and again for the first Glasgow Derby. With another derby later in the season and the potential of trophy day if Celtic are in the hunt for the title, Sky is holding back the remaining slots.

Celtic Streaming Option Unavailable

While the blackout means no live TV coverage, fans were hopeful Celtic might offer a streaming option via pay-per-view, as they have done for other Games not picked up by Sky. Unfortunately we have had it confirmed, even this avenue isn’t possible due to the 3pm rule. Despite being able to stream Games under their agreement with Sky, the Saturday afternoon blackout prevents any domestic streaming at that time. Fans outside the UK and Ireland will still have access via Celtic TV, but for those closer to home, the only way to watch the action legally is to be in the stands.

The 3pm Football TV blackout, governed by UEFA regulations, was introduced in the 1960s to protect live match attendance, particularly in the lower leagues. The fear among English Football League chairmen was that broadcasting top-flight Games during the 3-5pm Saturday window would deter fans from attending lower-league matches. At that time, gate receipts were the lifeblood of many clubs, especially in the lower divisions, and any drop in attendance could severely impact their financial Health. To safeguard these revenues, live Football on television during this slot was prohibited.

Today, however, the blackout feels outdated. With the rise of digital streaming, international broadcasting, and modern fan engagement, fans have countless ways to watch matches. Many argue that the rule doesn’t reflect the current football landscape, where global audiences can watch 3pm kick-offs, but UK-based fans are locked out. Moreover, clubs are less reliant on matchday revenues thanks to lucrative broadcasting deals, merchandising, and sponsorships.

Celtic also turned down an offer from Premier Sports to televise the match for £75k, opting not to disrupt match-going fans with another schedule change for what they considered an insufficient fee. While it’s understandable that Celtic want to prioritise the matchday experience for those attending, it leaves many supporters without a legitimate way to watch.

With such a massive game on the horizon, it’s frustrating for many fans who feel boxed out of an occasion that promises to be one of the biggest in recent Celtic-Aberdeen history. Given the growing anticipation and the teams’ positions at the top of the table, it’s unfortunate that thousands of supporters won’t be able to tune in legally from home.

As we inch closer to kick-off, the sense of excitement from both sets of fans is palpable. It’s just a shame that so many will miss out on what’s set to be a thrilling contest unless they’re among the lucky ones inside Celtic Park.