Quick question, why is 7:45pm the standard kickoff time?

NIMAN

When I heard the radio sports guy earlier say "and kickoff in the Aviva is at 7:45" I thought to myself, "no need to tell us, its nearly always 7:45".

Then I wondered why? Internationals, CL games etc.

madcabbage

NIMAN wrote: »

When I heard the radio sports guy earlier say "and kickoff in the Aviva is at 7:45" I thought to myself, "no need to tell us, its nearly always 7:45".

Then I wondered why? Internationals, CL games etc.

I'd imagine it all boils down to international broadcasting and a time that's appropriate to all countries. That'd be my guess anyway.

greendom

Back in the 70s it always used to be 7.30

Harry Palmr

Its not - its 8.45

Dozen Wicked Words

Still play games at 730. At least a few league Cup ties have kicked off at that time this season, as have a good few JPT ties.

Though none of these probably have big European viewing figures!

Pinturicchio

Prime time TV viewing.

Soups123

Maybe it's so tv stations can plan the after programmes to finish on the hour or half hour

NIMAN

Soups123 wrote: »

Maybe it's so tv stations can plan the after programmes to finish on the hour or half hour

Maybe.

Always wondered why not 7:30pm or 8pm?

billymitchell

Maybe because it gives the panel the optimal amount of time to analyize the game afterwards?
Usually games starting at 7:45 finish up around 9:35-9:40, leaving about 20 mins until 10pm, enough time to go over the main talking points of the game.
Start the game at 7:30 or 8 and you have to fill at least 35 mins until the next hour. Way too long if a game turns out to be shíte.

adox

I think they only use it for night time games.

padd b1975

It goes back to when floodlights were first used.

7.45 was the earliest/most convenient time local supporters could get to midweek games after their days work.

Cookiemunster

padd b1975 wrote: »

It goes back to when floodlights were first used.

7.45 was the earliest/most convenient time local supporters could get to midweek games after their days work.

But it's only 7:45 in Ireland, UK and Portugal. Everywhere else it's an 8:45 KO.

padd b1975

padd b1975 wrote: »

It goes back to when floodlights were first used.

7.45 was the earliest/most convenient time local supporters could get to midweek games after their days work.

Sounds like the best explanation.

I don't think it has anything at all to do with tv. Here's a programme from 1962, Bohs -v- Arsenal, showing that clearly it was used then. Not sure they really wanted to optimise the analysis on tv stations across the world!

paulbok

it differs with premier league teams with midweek fixtures as well. Old Trafford is usually a 7:45 kick off, other don't start till 8:00.
Might be a traffic management plan or after consulting with fan groups for the most suitable time.

greendom

paulbok wrote: »

it differs with premier league teams with midweek fixtures as well. Old Trafford is usually a 7:45 kick off, other don't start till 8:00.
Might be a traffic management plan or after consulting with fan groups for the most suitable time.

Really? I imagine that's never ever happened.