Premier League fans will be able to watch training sessions next season, with managers set to be mic’d up as part of a broadcasting revamp. The 2025/26 season is only a matter of weeks away and broadcasters have been mulling over new ways to keep supporters engaged.
It has already been revealed that dressing room coverage, as well as interviews with substituted players, could become common-place next term. And it now appears that top-flight clubs will be able to grant fans even more behind-the-scenes access.
According to the Mail, training sessions will now be part of the new-look broadcasting package. Under an amendment to Section K of the Premier League rules, each club must now grant the League’s production partner access to film a 30-minute ‘Enhanced Training Session’.
One player is expected to have a mic pack for audio, with the manager and a coach following suit. Previously, clubs were obliged to open the doors to broadcasters but only to film footage that can be used to go alongside reporting and coverage.
As part of the enhanced coverage, clubs are expected to submit a shortlist of five starters to potentially take part in a body cam session. Clubs can choose to film the footage themselves but they must conform to the League’s production brief.
They will then be given 24 hours to approve the final edit. And while there might be concerns regarding sensitive information being leaked, it appears that the Premier League have already thought ahead.
It is reported that safeguarding measures will be in place to ensure information such as tactical planning and team selections will remain under wraps. The new approach is similar to that deployed by UEFA in the Champions League.
As per Article 79 of the Regulations of the competition “both clubs must make their training session on the day before the match open to the media for at least 15 minutes in accordance with the schedule agreed in advance with UEFA.”
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Clubs are allowed to decide whether the minimum 15 minutes is open to the media, or alternatively the entire session. However, should this not occur on the day before a game then a club must make ‘alternative arrangements’ with UEFA to provide media with access of the team’s pre-match preparations such as a stadium walk-around.
Sky Sports have upped their broadcasting offering ahead of next season, with at least 215 top-flight matches set to be televised from the 2025/26 campaign.
