(Credit: Imago)

West Brom fans rage after new Sky Sports announcement - 'Such a joke'

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

30 Jul 2025, 3:00 am

West Brom have almost completed pre-season, with the new Championship season on the horizon.

Ryan Mason's side lost their most recent match to Lincoln City and are yet to win a game so far this summer.

Of course, Albion's new manager cannot be judged until the real business starts, with the Baggies set to start their campaign against Blackburn Rovers.

While Mason's most recent defeat has angered many West Brom supporters, they are also not pleased with the latest Sky Sports and EFL announcement.

Ryan Mason before West Brom's friendly v Lincoln

Mason has been putting his squad through their paces (Credit: Imago)

Why West Brom fans are fuming with Sky Sports and EFL

West Brom ticket prices have been increased at The Hawthorns, which has not gone down well with some supporters.

While the news of price hikes is frustrating, it is all too common in football, but the Baggies still offer good value with their season tickets.

It is difficult to predict what to expect in the West Midlands next term, with a new manager and a host of new players.

A top-six finish will surely be the target for Albion, but the second tier is stacked full of talent this time around.

Season	Finish
2022/23	9th
2023/24	5th
2024/25	9th

Albion will want to improve upon the last campaign

Now, the schedule for the first five months of the Championship season has been finalised, but Baggies fans are not impressed.

Only three of West Brom's away matches up until the New Year start at 3pm, while several long journeys are pencilled in for midweek.

Although Albion fans have time to plan ahead, several have voiced their frustration at the latest announcement.

Our @SkyBetChamp schedule for the first five months of the 2025/26 campaign has now been finalised.

More details about our fixtures selected for live TV broadcast can be found here. 👇
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 29, 2025

3 away matches until New Year that are 3pm kick offs, such a joke!
— Lewis Botfield 𓅪 (@lewis_botfield) July 29, 2025

Charlton, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Southampton all midweek away games.
Thanks @EFL 👍
— Dafydd Bowman𓅪 (@EdWynchesta) July 29, 2025

It’s mad how every season we seem to get loads more 12:30pm aways than homes #wba
— Statto 𓅪 (@StattoGK) July 29, 2025

Can’t remember the last time we played birmingham in daylight tbh
— matt (@wba_matt) July 29, 2025

Here we go again🥱🥱🥱
— . (@DanielK59248937) July 29, 2025

Looking like a mid table finish so far
— B 🇺🇸 (@bhurnn) July 29, 2025

Sky Sports make life difficult for Baggies fans

While increased television coverage generates more income for EFL clubs, it comes with its downsides.

More and more games are being aired at inconvenient times, with many early afternoons and evenings scheduled.

Furthermore, midweek games are tricky to navigate, meaning more supporters will be tempted to stay at home.

Not only that, but with trains often unreliable, it puts pressure on fans to find ways to travel to see their beloved teams.

It will be interesting to see if the news has an impact on attendance, and it would be a shame if there were more empty seats.

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