Why Emmerdale Isn’t on Tonight: ITV Confirms Schedule Shake-Up for England vs Serbia Match
Emmerdale fans hoping to catch their usual Thursday night trip to the Dales are in for disappointment this evening, as ITV has officially confirmed the soap will not air on Thursday, November 13. The schedule shake-up comes as the network clears space for live football coverage.
ITV Airs England’s World Cup Qualifier Instead
Instead of Emmerdale’s usual 7:30 pm slot, ITV will broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between England and Serbia. Coverage begins at 7 pm, with kick-off at 7:45 pm, live from Wembley Stadium.
The match will run until approximately 10:05 pm, followed by ITV News at Ten, meaning there’s no room in the schedule for Emmerdale’s regular Thursday hour-long episode.
When Will Emmerdale Return?
Fans won’t have to wait long for their next dose of drama — Emmerdale will return on Friday night in its normal 7:30 pm slot on ITV and ITVX. The network confirmed that the soap’s usual schedule will resume after the one-night disruption.
A Look Back: Wednesday’s Emotional Flashback Episode
Wednesday’s special episode left viewers reeling as the soap explored Robert Sugden’s (Ryan Hawley) time in prison, delving into his secret life and relationship with husband Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
Through haunting flashbacks, fans saw Robert serving a 14-year sentence for the murder of Lee Posner (Kris Mochrie) — and the emotional visit he received from Faith Dingle (Sally Dexter) before her death.
Faith, revealing she was terminally ill, urged Robert to reconcile with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and fight for a second chance at freedom after new evidence hinted that Lee’s death may have been caused by his brother’s actions instead.
Meanwhile, in a twist-filled subplot, Kev confessed to Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) that he has a son from a past fling with a woman named Emma, who was later murdered — and that he’s been hiding a serious heart condition.
By the episode’s end, Kev discovered that Robert had lied about Victoria Sugden’s (Isabel Hodgins) brain tumour to strengthen his parole case, setting the stage for an explosive confrontation once Robert returns to the village.
What Happens Next?
When Emmerdale returns on Friday, fans can expect tensions to reach boiling point as Kev’s fury grows and Robert’s secrets threaten to destroy their fragile reunion. With both men keeping dangerous truths, their storyline is heading toward a dramatic reckoning.
Until then, Emmerdale fans can tune into the England vs Serbia match tonight — and prepare for another storm in the Dales tomorrow.