In a move that signals the Premier League’s evolving relationship with entertainment and fan engagement, broadcasters will now be granted unprecedented access to players and team environments starting from the 2025-26 season.
As part of a wider push to match the broadcast intimacy of US sports leagues, British broadcasters have successfully lobbied for three major innovations:
- Live interviews with substituted players
- Limited dressing room access
- On-pitch camera access for goal celebrations
While team talks remain off-limits, this new direction represents a marked shift in how the Premier League is packaging its product for modern audiences — immersive, emotional, and real-time.
Subbed Player Interviews Go Live
The idea isn’t just theory — it was quietly trialled last season. In October 2024, Marcus Tavernier of Bournemouth was interviewed by Sky Sports immediately after being substituted. His perspective added live, personal insight to Bournemouth’s 3-1 win over Southampton, showcasing what such interviews could offer — raw, authentic analysis directly from the pitch.
Expect this to become the norm — players reacting moments after being subbed out, offering a window into tactics, physical demands, or even on-pitch controversies.
The New Era of Access
In addition to interviews, broadcasters will now:
- Enter dressing rooms pre-match and post-match (with limits)
- Get closer-than-ever goal celebration footage from within the pitch perimeter
While manager team talks will remain private, the emotional theatre of football — frustration, joy, disappointment — is about to be amplified for viewers.
This shift coincides with the Premier League’s record-breaking £6.7 billion domestic broadcast deal, which kicks off in 2025-26. Sky Sports will air at least 215 live games per season, alongside TNT Sports’ 52, ensuring these new access features become regular elements of the broadcast experience.
What This Means from a Strategy Lens
The Premier League’s latest innovations aren’t just about spectacle — they reflect a strategic evolution:
- Player-as-personality is now a product. Live interviews feed into narrative-driven fan engagement.
- Access = Value. Rights holders are being incentivized with tools to differentiate, increasing both viewership and monetization.
- The sport is moving toward an “entertainment-first” hybrid model, where content consumption starts to mirror reality TV and digital creator formats.
At 365247, we believe the clubs, leagues, and brands that win will be those who treat access as IP — crafting media moments, building emotional connection, and giving fans more than just the final score.
If you’re a club, league, or brand wondering how to turn increased media access into measurable brand value, audience growth, or commercial IP — we’re here to help.
Schedule a call here.
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