23-05-2025
Why Sunderland's Championship play-off final is kicking off at 3.01pm
Sunderland's Championship play-off final at Wembley this weekend will kick-off at 3.01pm, rather than the usual 3pm, to highlight the fact that 'Every Minute Matters'.
This campaign aims to inspire supporters to learn CPR, equipping them with vital skills that could save someone's life.
Meanwhile, this weekend's other play-offs in League One and League Two will also kick off a minute late.
The campaign is being supported by the Red Sky Foundation, a heart health charity who have provided seven defibrillators around the Stadium of Light.
The Sunderland based organisation has also provided defibrillators at Bramall Lane, the home of The Black Cats' opponents in the play-off final, Sheffield United.
Sergio Petrucci, CEO of the Red Sky Foundation, said: "This will raise awareness of CPR across the country, not just to football fans, but to the general public as well. The reason why we're doing that is because every minute does count.
"When it comes to CPR and somebody's having a medical emergency, the most important thing to do is to call 999, and begin hands-on CPR, start the compressions, and have that blood circulating around the body, most importantly to the brain."
EFL Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Birch said: "The Sky Bet Play-Offs are a special moment in the football calendar and tens of thousands of supporters will be at Wembley Stadium across the weekend with millions more tuning in from home.
"By kicking off all three Play-Off Finals one minute later, Every Minute Matters continues to harness the power and visibility of football to encourage even more people to learn CPR, which could ultimately help to save even more lives."
