Sky has confirmed that its new 3D TV channel will launch to pubs in the UK on April 3 for Manchester United's game against Chelsea.

The satellite broadcaster said that over a thousand pubs and clubs have already signed up to receive Sky 3D, with more expected to follow in the weeks ahead.

After the April 3 transmission, Sky intends to show at least five more Premier League games before for the current season ends. At the end of May, the firm will also carry live 3D coverage of all Football League play-off finals at Wembley Stadium.

Outside of the live 3D sport, Sky's 3D channel will carry a showreel of the firm's 3D content captured to date. The showreel will also be made available to residential customers subscribed to Sky's top tier channels and HD pack.

The Sky 3D channel will actually appear on Sky's electronic programming guide before April 3, but customers wanting to access the preview content ahead of the live date will need to contact Sky with details of their 3D TV set so that the channel can be activated.

Sky director product design and development Brian Lenz said: "It's fitting that one of the biggest games of the season will be the launch pad for our pioneering Sky 3D service.

"With 3D, seeing really is believing, so it's great news that over a thousand pubs across the country will be able to show the magic of 3D to their customers."

Viewers can watch Sky's 3D channel by using either passive 3D glasses, which are cheap but require expensive TV sets, or active glasses incorporating mechanised shutter technology, which are more expensive but use cheaper sets.

Sony, Samsung, LG and Panasonic have all confirmed plans to support Sky's 3D channel by launching 3D TV sets in the UK market.