This February, all English Football League (EFL) fixtures across a four-day period will begin one minute later than scheduled to shine a spotlight on the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The small delay is part of the Every Minute Matters campaign, which runs across 36 matches in the Championship, League One, and League Two from 5–9 February.
The initiative is a collaboration between EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF), designed to highlight how critical timing is when performing life-saving CPR.
Fans attending matches, as well as those watching from home, will be reminded that swift action in a cardiac emergency can mean the difference between life and death.
The campaign draws inspiration from Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer, who suffered two on-pitch cardiac incidents.
The first occurred eight minutes into the Championship play-off final with Luton Town against Coventry in May 2023.
Seven months later, he suffered a cardiac arrest during a Premier League game at Bournemouth. Lockyer has since become a BHF ambassador, sharing his experience to raise awareness of how critical immediate intervention can be.
“What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” Lockyer said.
“Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK experience a cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and most never make it home. I’m here today because CPR saved my life.
“This February, we want everyone to get behind this campaign, learn the skills, and be ready to act — your quick response could give someone else the chance I was given.”
Fans are being encouraged to use the BHF’s online RevivR tool, which guides users through CPR techniques in an easy-to-follow, interactive format. The tool is designed to give people the confidence to act quickly, even if they have never received formal training.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, emphasized the urgency: “Every minute without CPR drastically reduces a person’s chance of survival. Learning these skills now could make all the difference in a real emergency.”
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch highlighted the symbolism of the delayed kick-offs: “Starting games one minute later is a simple but powerful reminder that every second counts when it comes to saving a life.”
The initiative is part of the EFL’s wider commitment to community health, building on previous campaigns focused on mental health, road safety, and first aid.
By combining football’s nationwide reach with life-saving education, the league hopes to equip fans with the knowledge and confidence to act in emergencies potentially saving lives both on and off the pitch.
Even a single minute, the campaign demonstrates, can be the difference between life and death, turning football’s widespread influence into a tool for real-world impact.
