Unique timing set for Championship Play-Off Final kickoff at 3:01pm today
The Championship Play-Off Final between Sunderland and Sheffield United will commence at an unusual time this afternoon, noteworthy for a commendable cause. The highly-anticipated match, which determines the last spot in the Premier League next season, will begin at 3:01 PM rather than the usual hour start.
This adjustment might seem peculiar to fans, but it serves a noble purpose. The delayed kick-off is part of the 'Every Minute Matters' campaign, a collaboration between Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation. This initiative aims to inspire football fans to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)—a potentially life-saving skill.
Launched during the 2023/24 EFL play-offs, the campaign has encouraged over 270,000 individuals to acquire CPR skills, with hopes to reach another 360,000 people through the ReviR online tool this year. The symbolic one-minute delay in the Championship Play-Off Final is intended to highlight the significance of this life-saving measure.
Additionally, the League One and League Two Play-Off Finals will also commence one minute later than scheduled, with the League One final set for Sunday, 25 May 2025, at 13:01, and the League Two final on Monday, 26 May 2025, at 15:01.
Tom Lockyer, a defender for Luton Town, has taken on the role of a British Heart Foundation ambassador after experiencing a cardiac arrest while playing for the club. He asserts that the initiative is crucial, given that less than 1 in 10 people usually survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK.
The Sky Bet Every Minute Matters campaign has garnered widespread support within the EFL community over the past year, with fans, players, and clubs joining forces to make a tangible difference in the fight against heart-related issues. The upcoming Play-Off Finals provide an excellent platform to continue spreading the word and concluding an impactful year in the quest for greater heart health awareness.
coverage
The Championship Play-Off Final will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025, and will be covered live by talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com from Wembley Stadium. Adrian Durham will serve as the presenter, with commentary from Sam Matterface, former Sunderland striker Darren Bent, and ex-Blackpool boss Ian Holloway. Fans can tune in via the talkSPORT website, the talkSPORT app, DAB digital radio, smart speakers, 1089 or 1053 AM, or Sky Sports to catch the action.
- The manager of Sunderland and Sheffield United, along with many others in the sports industry, have thrown their support behind the Sky Bet Every Minute Matters campaign, aiming to increase heart health awareness.
- As part of the Premier League, both teams will be participating in a symbolic one-minute delay of their respective matches to emphasize the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- The special sports analysis during the Championship Play-Off Final coverage by talkSPORT and Sky Sports is expected to highlight the campaign's significance in promoting CPR skills and saving lives.
- Additionally, the Sky Bet campaign has influenced football leagues across Europe, inspiring a wave of support towards heart health education and awareness.
- Outside of the football world, former Luton Town defender Tom Lockyer now serves as a British Heart Foundation ambassador, actively advocating for the initiative's importance in improving heart health outcomes in the UK.
