Football on TV: How UK Broadcasting is Changing in 2026

The Evolution of Football Broadcasting in the UK

Football on TV has become an integral part of British sports culture, with millions of viewers tuning in weekly to watch their favourite teams. The landscape of football broadcasting in the UK is undergoing significant transformation in 2026, with a record £6.7 billion revenue deal across four years reshaping how fans access live matches.

Current Broadcasting Rights and Coverage

Sky Sports holds at least 215 live Premier League matches until 2028/29, making it the dominant broadcaster in UK football coverage. TNT Sports secured rights for five UK live packages, whilst the FA Cup is shown on BBC and TNT Sports. For the first time, all matches outside the Saturday 3pm ‘closed period’ will be broadcast live, dramatically increasing viewing options for fans.

Schedules include football from Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Premier Sports, BBC, ITV and more, covering domestic and international competitions. Live English football includes the Premier League on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, whilst the EFL is on Sky Sports and ITV.

International Growth and Streaming Services

The international appeal of UK football continues to surge. International broadcasting rights have risen by 23%, reaching £2.17 billion for the new cycle. International rights now exceed domestic rights by 30%, reflecting the Premier League’s global popularity.

Streaming has become increasingly important, with more than three quarters of Sky customers signing up to internet-delivered services, and 90% of new customers choosing IP-only options. This shift indicates traditional broadcasting and streaming are becoming increasingly integrated.

What This Means for Football Fans

For UK viewers, the broadcasting changes bring both benefits and challenges. The expanded coverage means unprecedented access to live football, with at least 267 live matches per season shown across Sky and TNT Sports. However, accessing comprehensive coverage requires subscriptions to multiple platforms. The preservation of BBC Match of the Day highlights for all 380 Premier League matches ensures free-to-air access remains available for those without subscriptions. As football broadcasting evolves, fans can expect more flexibility in how they watch matches, though the cost of comprehensive coverage continues to rise alongside the quality and quantity of available content.