Football on TV: Your Complete UK Broadcasting Guide for 2025
The Growing Importance of Football Broadcasting
Football on TV has become an essential part of British culture, with millions tuning in each week to watch their favourite teams compete. Schedules of live football on television come from broadcasters including Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Premier Sports, BBC, ITV and more, providing comprehensive coverage across multiple platforms. The importance of understanding where and when matches are broadcast has never been greater, as the combined value of both domestic and international broadcasting deals for the 2025/26 season will be £3.84 billion, representing an increase of £420 million over the current cycle.
Major Broadcasting Changes for 2025/26 Season
Significant changes have reshaped the football broadcasting landscape in the UK. The new agreement will take effect from the 2025/26 season and last until the end of the 2028/29 season, spanning a longer period than previous deals. The new cycle will see Sky Sports as the lead broadcaster with a total of at least 267 live matches per season shown across Sky and TNT Sports, whilst TNT will have the right to televise 52 games per season from 2025-29.
Where to Watch Premier League Football
Live English football on TV includes the Premier League on Sky Sports and TNT Sports. The EFL is on Sky Sports and ITV with live games from the Championship, League One, League Two and Carabao Cup. For fans, this means subscribing to multiple services to catch all the action. Amazon Prime shows 17 Champions League matches live on Tuesday nights, adding another dimension to football viewing options.
Free-to-Air Football Coverage
Despite the dominance of subscription services, free-to-air options remain available. England Men’s football – All World Cup and Euro qualifiers, UEFA Nations League games and all friendlies are live on ITV until 2027, whilst the BBC shows 14 live FA Cup ties per season including the final from 2025 to 2029. These offerings ensure that major national team matches and historic cup competitions remain accessible to all viewers.
The Future of Football Broadcasting
The football broadcasting market continues to evolve rapidly. UEFA reports a 23% increase in international broadcasting deals starting in the 2025/26 season, demonstrating the Premier League’s global appeal. Netflix is reportedly preparing to bid for Premier League broadcasting rights, a move that could significantly alter the sports media landscape, suggesting that streaming giants may soon compete directly with traditional broadcasters for top-tier football content.
For UK football fans, navigating the complex broadcasting landscape requires subscriptions to multiple services, but the breadth of coverage available has never been greater. From Premier League weekend fixtures to midweek European competitions, football on TV offers unprecedented access to the beautiful game across various platforms and price points.