Football on TV: How UK Broadcasting is Transforming the Beautiful Game in 2026
The New Era of Football Broadcasting
Football on TV in the United Kingdom has entered an unprecedented era of accessibility and coverage. The Premier League has concluded deals with Sky Sports and TNT Sports for five UK live packages, representing the largest sports media rights deals ever concluded in the UK, covering a four-year period starting in the 2025/26 season. This transformation is reshaping how millions of British fans consume the beautiful game.
The significance of these agreements cannot be overstated. The agreement, signed in December 2023, is a £6.7bn deal that will run until 2029, demonstrating the enduring value of football broadcasting rights. For supporters across the country, this means unprecedented access to live matches, with nearly every game outside the traditional 3pm Saturday slot now available for viewing.
Sky Sports Dominates Football Coverage
Sky Sports has been awarded live rights packages covering a minimum of 215 live matches per season, including more than 140 matches played at weekends, evening matches on Fridays and Mondays, and full coverage of three midweek match rounds. This represents Sky’s biggest acquisition since the Premier League’s formation in 1992, solidifying its position as the primary destination for football on TV.
Most notably, for the first time, Sky Sports will broadcast all 10 matches on the final day of each season, creating unparalleled drama as title races, relegation battles, and European qualification scenarios unfold simultaneously. TNT Sports complements this coverage, having secured 52 live matches per season, including exclusive coverage of matches played on Saturdays at 12.30pm and full coverage of two midweek match rounds.
The Broadcasting Landscape Beyond the Premier League
Football on TV extends far beyond England’s top flight. Sky Sports will be the exclusive UK broadcaster of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League from the 2027/28 season, with all 342 matches across both competitions available for four years. This expansion means British clubs’ European adventures will receive comprehensive coverage.
The BBC continues its iconic role in football broadcasting, with Match of the Day continuing to bring weekly highlights of all Premier League matches to the widest possible audience, remaining an institution for generations of football fans.
What This Means for Football Fans
The implications of these broadcasting deals are profound. The deal marks a significant expansion in the number of live matches available, further reshaping how, when, and where Premier League football is consumed in the UK. Viewers now have multiple options for accessing football on TV, from traditional satellite and cable services to modern streaming platforms.
Fans can use an over-the-air antenna to pick up local broadcasts for free, or watch NFL games through cable companies, satellite TV packages, or subscription streaming platforms like NFL+, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV or fuboTV. This flexibility ensures that football on TV remains accessible to diverse audiences with varying preferences and budgets.
As we progress through 2026, these broadcasting arrangements provide financial certainty for clubs and unmatched viewing options for supporters, cementing the United Kingdom’s position at the forefront of football television coverage globally.