The English Football League have reached a huge deal with Sky Sports to allow every club in all three divisions to stream every match from next season live on their websites.
This will be for a fee of around £10 for the more casual supporters, whilst the season-ticket holders will be able to watch their team’s home matches free of charge.
The deal is largely down to help raise funds after the loss of matchday revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is according to a report in the Daily Mail , who say that whilst Sky Sports pay £119m for the exclusive rights of the Championship, League One, League Two and the Carabao Cup, they do have sympathy for the clubs who have lost out as a result of this global pandemic.
It is a boost for both clubs and fans alike, with supporters of the likes of Bolton Wanderers in League Two and Wigan Athletic in League One able to watch matches and not miss out on any of the action.
Sky will allow every club to stream their games online that were scheduled to be televised without the club having to pay the broadcasting company, as long as the majority of supporters are still not allowed in the stadiums.
This plan will be reviewed to try and help clubs out on a more regular basis, but for the time-being, this will be in place until the Government allows more than 50 percent of the stadium’s capacity back in the ground.
October is when supporters are due to be back in attendance at matches, but that is expected to be just 33 percent, or perhaps even lower according to some recent reports.
Bolton's first game that month will be the visit to Harrogate Town, which will be played at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium on October 3.
However, it is not yet confirmed exactly how fans will be permitted to return to attending matches, or indeed if away fans will be allowed back in these opening phases.
Should that not be the case, then Bolton's first home game that month in League One will be against Grimsby Town on October 10, which means this could be the game where fans could be allowed back inside the University of Bolton Stadium in some way, shape or form.
The first game which Wigan are due to play in October is due to be at the DW Stadium against Doncaster Rovers at the start of month, which might be the match where Latics fans are allowed to attend in person for the first time since March.
whether being one of those attending the games in a reduced capacity to comply with social distancing, or streaming games from home.
