ITV has shifted the airtimes of its flagship soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street this week to accommodate live coverage of the England women’s European qualifier and the men’s World Cup. The changes affect Tuesday through Sunday,with hour‑long episodes slated for Friday, while the soaps are completely pre‑empted on Tuesday and Thursday.

England Women’s Euro Qualifier pushes soaps off Tuesday

On Tuesday, June 9, ITV will broadcast the England‑Ukraine women’s European qualifier, beginning at 7:30 p.m. with kick‑off at 8 p .m. Because the match overlaps the usual 8 p.m. slot for Emmerdale and the 8:30 p.m. slot for Coronation Street, both dramas are omitted from Tuesday’s schedule entirely. The broadcaster warned viewers to check local listings or ITV Hub for on‑demand access, as reported by the network’s own schedule release.

Emmerdale moves to 7 p.m. for England‑Costa Rica World Cup match

Wednesday, June 10, sees the men’s England‑Costa Rica World Cup group‑stage clash, with coverage starting at 8 p.m. and kick‑off at 9 p.m. To avoid a clash, ITV has pulled Emmerdale forward to a 7 p.m. start, followed by Coronation Street at 7:30 p.m. This hour‑earlier slot is a rare deviation from the channel’s “power hour” format introduced in January, which normally slots 30‑minute episodes at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on weekdays.

No new episodes Thursday as World Cup opening ceremony airs

Thursday, June 11, is reserved for the grand opening ceremony of the men’s World Cup, which begins at 6:15 p.m., with the first match coverage at 7:50 p.m. and kick‑off at 8 p.m. Consequently, ITV will not air any new episodes of Emmerdale or Coronation Street that evening. The decision underscores ITV’s strategy of prioritising live sport during peak viewership windows, a move the network has justified as essential for capturing the massive audience the World Cup commands.

Friday’s double‑hour soaps compensate for mid‑week disruptions

Both soaps return on Friday, June 12, but with hour‑long episodes instead of the usual half‑hour slots: Emmerdale at 8 p.m. and Coronation Street at 9 p.m. The extended format is intended to deliver “double the drama,” according to ITV’s press release, and gives writers a chance to resolve cliffhangers that were postponed earlier in the week. Sunday, June 14, will again see no new episodes, completing a week of irregular scheduling.

Will any further matches force additional soap pre‑emptions?

The schedule released by ITV leaves open the possibility of further adjustments if additional football fixtures arise. As of now, the network has not confirmed any extra changes beyond June 14, but fans are advised to stay tuned to the channel’s website and social media for real‑time updates.