5pm KO - why?

Anyone else finding that the late Kick-Off, (as opposed to traditional 3pm) could cause them potential travel problems?

If the match finishes in normal time, then no problem. But if it goes to Extra-Time and penalties I will be cutting it very close to the last train back from Euston, (9pm to Manchester Piccadilly). Just suppose, we win on penalties - the match would be finishing close to 8pm. I might just be able to stay to watch the penalties but would then have to rush off and probably miss the trophy presentation and post-match celebrations.

So why the move to 5pm? So viewers in California can watch the match after their shower and cornflakes rather than before? It's just bloody stupid.

 

Same boat here... but do you know what.. if i miss the last train back, so ****ing what... i will have done so because i've watched my team lift the fa cup.

 

I would miss the last train home.

And yes, it's so viewers in California can have their porridge first.

 

please log in to view this image

 

It doesn't give much credibility to the idea that the FA care about tradition does it

 

So it clashes directly with the two other major sporting events.

 

I didn't realise such an idea even existed.

 

Well yes but not just Cali. Makes it easier on the US, Canada and Mexico. Which matters to English Football unless you want to give a lot of that TV revenue back. It isnt probably the breakfast issue it is more likely the fact that there are to many counties in the US where it is illegal to open an alcoholic place of business before a certain time. Early game times mean that no one can go watch the games in bars. If you care about growing the sport in foreign markets do you really want to stop California, Washington, Oregon and Western Canada from watching? That is a population probably twice the size of the UK.

Lots of our sports begin at 5 or later. The local MLS club starts its games at 7:30 or 8 pm. Which is pretty standard for most American sports.

 

It's good for me, so I can get back in time, get my ticket, get to London, hotel, shower beer & then get to Wembley. If it was 3 o'clock, then I'd really be cutting it fine!

 

Sucks here in Sydney since we have a cut-off of 3am for drinks to be served, so we have to stock up at half time!

 

And we on PST thank you for that!

 

Can't think of any other major sporting event happening at the same time?

 

I think its a shocking time to kick off....

It would be a lot better for everyone if it kicked off at 9.00am..... well better for me anyway.. and Sydney Tiger of course

 

I would not miss the final outcome for this game, even if it resulted me having to walk home.

 

Shows what a second rate country we have become. Some matches in Europe don't kick off until much later. Spain has a lot of 9pm kick offs. The Europa Cup final last night kicked off at 9pm woth fans facing a journey home of over 1200 miles. People get home alright and have a drink first as most places don't shut at 11pm like this country. Yet in this country you can't get home from our capital afyer 8.30pm.

 

You poor things! Not like vibrant, pioneeering Hull, gateway to Europe, where 90% of pubs shut before midnightand special permission is needed to stay open until 1am during the World Cup for England games. Some daft people keep refering to 24 hour opening and around the clock pubs.

 

I think it's brilliant - another 2 hours solid drinking time.

 

Is it something to do with the TV slot? Like 5PM is prime time or something along them lines?

I do agree its crap though!

 

I don't get the money angle entirely on this, they changed it to 5.15 a few years back as the FA cup final was same day as other prem matches, but how does it get more money with a 5.15 rather than 3.00 when there are no clashing matches???

 

They found that the viewing figures were higher with the later kick off. It isn't only televised here, you know.