EFL Will No Longer Mandate Matchday Programs For Every Game

EFL clubs will no longer be obligated to print matchday programs for each game.GETTY IMAGES

English Football League teams "will no longer be obliged to print" matchday programs for every game after a vote at the league's annual general meeting, according to James Law of the BBC. In April, the EFL said that "some clubs wanted the option not to print them because of declining sales and increased costs." Programs have until now been mandatory as a result of partnership and sponsorship agreements held by the EFL. However, League Championship, League One and League Two clubs "can now make the decision on a match-by-match basis." National Football Museum collections officer Alexander Jackson said, "There's so much news that people are accessing instantly through their phones now, I can see how it's a struggle at lower levels to keep the programs fresh. It makes the economics of it tough." The EFL will continue to produce programs for all its major games, including the EFL Cup final and all three playoff finals (BBC, 6/8).