Footballers, celebrities and sports stars were out in force tonight at an exclusive screening of the Opening Night of the Premier League, as new boys Burnley hosted Manchester City at Turf Moor, live on Sky Sports.
The game, which saw City pick up where they left off last season, was the first of five live games exclusively shown on Sky Sports and NOW on the opening weekend. Over the course of the season, Sky Sports will have 128 matches, as it continues to be the home of the Premier League – bringing fans the best picks of each Gameweek.
Those in attendance were treated to an exclusive live feed from the Friday Night Football team including Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Izzy Christiansen and Kelly Cates, alongside a welcome message from Sky Sports’ new commentator Peter Drury. There was also a Q&A panel hosted by Saturday Social’s Adam Smith which saw former Liverpool players Jamie Redknapp and Daniel Sturridge join Sky Sports Presenter Melissa Ruddy to give their latest predictions for the season.
Elz The Witch, Love Island’s Olivia Hawkins and Tom Claire, and actor Tom Hanson to name but a few, attended the event. Guests were served up an evening of interactive games, music and theatre to celebrate the arrival of what is certain to be a blockbuster new season.
Away from the opening night, Sky Sports recently launched their Greatest Show on Earth campaign, starring the biggest names from the world of sport. The campaign features Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Ella Toone, Lewis Hamilton, Ben Stokes, Emma Raducanu, Sophia Dunkley and more.
Highlights of Q&A
· Daniel Sturridge, who has joined the Sky Sports football presenting team, on Erling Haaland: “His best is yet to come.”
· Former Liverpool captain and Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp, on Harry Kane’s imminent move to Munich: “This is one of the bravest moves I’ve ever seen a Premier League player make.”
· Sky Sports Reporter Melissa Reddy gave her predictions on the season ahead, saying: “ I do believe Arsenal have done everything within their power to push themselves even closer”
Daniel Sturridge on Erling Haaland: “I think we haven’t seen the best of Haaland yet. He’s got more abilities, different types of finishes he hasn’t shown yet. I’ve watched a lot of clips of Haaland, but I don’t think you’ve seen the best of his ‘all-round’ game. However many he scores, it will be more than most, but I think his overall game will see improvement. His best is yet to come.”
Jamie Redknapp supported Harry Kane’s imminent move to Bayern Munich: “People questioned Harry Kane for a long while for having lack of ambition when he didn’t go to Manchester City a couple of years ago. You can’t say that about him now. This is one of the bravest moves I’ve even seen a Premier League player make.
“People look down on Bayern Munich for whatever reason; it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. The players get treated like kings, they try and win every title, they get the best players in. I get it, it’s going to be a great move for him. It’s surprised a lot of people but I think it’s an exciting move for him.”
Melissa Reddy gave her thoughts on the Premier League season ahead: “My default setting at the start of every season is that Manchester City will win the title, because they have everything to do so: they have the best manager in the league, they have the best operational structure, their succession planning is amazing and they are well-resourced financially. Man City can afford to lose starting players that other teams would love to have.
“I do believe Arsenal have done everything within their power to push themselves even closer. They’ve not bloated their squad and they’re creating competition with their own players to improve.”
Watch 128 exclusively live games on Sky Sports & NOW this season. Sky Sports will continue to be the home of the Premier League – bringing fans the best in class when it comes to analysis, presenters, and production.
