Sky Sports will have cameras in the dressing rooms and access to in-game audio for the first time in English football during Wycombe Wanderers' League One match against Portsmouth on Sunday, 4 December 2022. Both clubs have agreed to the unprecedented access, which includes recording pre-match and half-time team talks, as well as on-field player conversations.
The move marks a significant shift in broadcasting rights, with coaching staff from both sides also available for interviews during the game. This level of access has long been resisted by football clubs but is common in cricket and rugby. Sky will use high-quality recording equipment across the pitch to capture player conversations, though live broadcast of audio will be delayed to avoid airing bad language.
The trial comes as the EFL prepares to market its TV rights from 2024 onwards, with a growing acknowledgement that more content must be offered to broadcasters. Wycombe and Portsmouth have volunteered for the experiment, which will be closely monitored by Premier League clubs. If successful, it could pressure top-flight teams to open their doors to similar coverage.
