Start Times – Never Miss a Kickoff Again

Ever checked your phone only to realize the game you wanted to watch already started? It happens to the best of us. Knowing the exact start time of a match, tournament, or race lets you plan your day, set reminders, and enjoy the action without scrambling.

Different sports release their schedules in various ways. Cricket might list a match as “12:30 PM BST,” while a handball clash could be shown as “18:00 CET.” The key is to understand the time zone, the format, and where the official source lives.

How to Find Accurate Start Times

First stop: the sport’s governing body website. For the Asia Cup 2025 cricket games, the Asian Cricket Council posts exact kick‑off times on its fixture page. That’s where you’ll see Pakistan vs Oman listed for 12 Sept, 14:00 GMT in Dubai. The same rule applies to handball – the EHF EURO 2024 schedule on the European Handball Federation site shows Sweden vs Slovenia at 19 Sept, 20:30 CET.

If you prefer apps, look for ones that sync with official feeds. Apps like the ICC Mobile, UEFA, or the official NBA app pull data straight from the source, converting it to your local time automatically. Turn on push notifications for the specific match you care about, and you’ll get a reminder 15 minutes before kickoff.

Social media can be handy, but treat it as a secondary source. Official team accounts often post a “Game starts at…!” tweet, but double‑check against the league’s site. A quick glance at the post date will tell you if the time is still current or if a rain delay moved it.

Why Start Times Matter

Beyond avoiding spoilers, start times affect betting, fantasy line‑ups, and even your work schedule. A cricket T20 match that begins at 7 PM local time could finish before midnight, letting night‑owls catch a full game. A handball match starting at 6 PM GMT means you might need a tea break before the second half.

For travelers, knowing the exact start time helps you navigate airport arrivals and local transport. Imagine flying into Dubai for the Pakistan vs Oman clash; you’ll want to land at least two hours before the 14:00 GMT start to grab a seat.

Finally, start times create buzz. Fans set up watch parties, online chats, and stadium tailgates around a known kickoff. Missing that window can mean missing the whole community vibe.

Bottom line: always grab the start time from the official schedule, convert it to your zone, set a reminder, and enjoy the game stress‑free. With a few simple steps, you’ll never be the fan who shows up late again.

Why does the Super Bowl always start at odd times?

As a sports fan, I've always wondered why the Super Bowl always starts at unusual times. It turns out, it's all about maximizing viewership. The NFL strategically places the kick-off time to accommodate both East and West Coast viewers, often opting for a late afternoon or early evening start. This ensures that most viewers are off work and can tune in, boosting ratings. So, while it may seem odd to some, the unusual start time of the Super Bowl is a well-thought-out decision.