Which TV and Streaming Channels Broadcast Football Matches?

Ever wondered football broadcasting channels that show your favourite matches? In the UK the lineup shifts every season, and knowing where to find Premier League drama, Cup excitement, or European clashes can save you both time and money.

Understanding the UK Football Broadcast Landscape

Football rights are split between free-to-air networks, subscription TV packages, and a growing roster of streaming services. Rights are negotiated by league and competition, which means you might watch the Premier League on one platform and the FA Cup on another. The main players in 2025 are BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, and DAZN. Each has its own pricing model, device compatibility, and production style.

Free‑to‑Air Options: BBC One and ITV

BBC One is the flagship public‑service channel. It holds the rights to broadcast a handful of Premier League games each season, usually the Saturday 12:30 pm match, plus all England national‑team fixtures and the FA Cup final. The coverage is ad‑free, and you can stream it via the BBC iPlayer app on phones, tablets, and smart TVs.

ITV picks up the highlights of the same Saturday match and also shows the League Cup (EFL Cup) final and occasional Champions League highlights. Like the BBC, ITV streams live via the ITV Hub, which is free after a simple registration.

Subscription TV: Sky Sports and BT Sport

Sky Sports remains the heavyweight for live football. In 2025 it airs 200+ Premier League games, covering the early‑kick Thursday fixtures, late‑night Friday matches, and most Saturday evening kick‑offs. Sky also broadcasts the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup. A typical Sky Sports subscription costs £25 per month, but bundled packages with Sky broadband can bring the price down.

BT Sport (now rebranded as TNT Sports) holds the rights to the Premier League’s top‑flight ‘B’ games, the FA Cup from the third round onward, and the UEFA Europa Conference League. TNT Sports is bundled with the BT broadband and mobile contracts, or you can buy a standalone streaming pass for £15 per month.

Streaming‑Only Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, DAZN

Amazon Prime Video turned heads in 2022 by securing a package of 20 Premier League matches each season, usually on Saturdays at 12:30 pm when the BBC is not showing the game. The matches air live on the Prime Video app and are included with the regular Prime membership (£8.99/month).

Paramount+ entered the UK market in 2023 and grabbed the rights to broadcast select UEFA Champions League matches, plus the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the International Champions Cup. A standalone subscription costs £7.99 per month.

DAZN focuses on niche football content - the Italian Serie A, the Spanish La Liga, and the Dutch Eredivisie. It also offers a pay‑per‑view option for specific high‑profile games. The base plan is £9.99 per month, with a discounted annual rate.

League‑by‑League Guide

Below is a quick rundown of which competition lives on which platform.

• Premier League: Sky Sports (most matches), BBC One (one Saturday game), Amazon Prime Video (selected 12:30 pm matches), TNT Sports (B‑games).
• Championship: Sky Sports (select fixtures), BT Sport/TNT Sports (live), Amazon Prime Video (occasional matches).
• League One & League Two: Sky Sports (high‑profile fixtures), BT Sport (selected games), online highlights on YouTube.
• National League: Live streamed via the league’s own platform, some games on BT Sport.
• Scottish Premiership: Sky Sports (most games), BT Sport (selected matches), Premier Sports (now part of TNT Sports).
• Women's Super League (WSL): BBC One (key matches), Sky Sports (live coverage), Amazon Prime Video (selected games).
• FA Cup: BBC One (early rounds and final), ITV (highlights), TNT Sports (live from third round onward).
• UEFA Champions League: Sky Sports (most matches), Paramount+ (selected primetime games).
• UEFA Europa League & Conference League: Sky Sports (all matches), TNT Sports (selected).

Choosing the Right Package for You

Consider three factors before committing:

1. Which competitions matter most? If you only care about the Premier League and the FA Cup, a combination of Sky Sports and a free‑to‑air channel may be enough.
2. How many devices will you use? Streaming services let you watch on phones, tablets, or smart TVs without a satellite dish.
3. Budget constraints. Bundle deals (Sky + broadband, BT + mobile) often shave £5‑£10 off the monthly price.

For a budget‑conscious fan, a mix of BBC One, ITV (free), and a low‑cost Amazon Prime Video membership covers most top‑flight football. If you crave every Champions League night, add Paramount+ to the mix.

Quick Comparison Table

Key Takeaways

• Free channels (BBC One, ITV) give limited Premier League exposure but are great for big‑match finals.
• Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive live coverage across domestic and European competitions.
• Streaming services provide flexible, cheaper alternatives for specific match packages.
• Match your subscription to the leagues you follow to avoid paying for unwanted content.