How to Watch Premier League in the UK 2026⁄27
The Premier League 2026⁄27 season is split across two main pay-TV broadcasters in the United Kingdom. There is no live free-to-air coverage, but free highlights are available. Here is everything you need to know about where to watch, what it costs, and how the blackout rules affect you.
Where to Watch Premier League in the United Kingdom
Sky Sports
Sky Sports holds the largest share of live Premier League rights for 2026⁄27, covering a minimum of 215 matches across the season. Coverage is available on Sky Sports’ dedicated channels if you have a Sky satellite or cable subscription, or via the NOW streaming service (formerly NOW TV) if you prefer a contract-free route. Sky Sports typically broadcasts matches on Saturday mornings, Saturday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and Monday evenings, making it the primary destination for live Premier League football in the UK.
TNT Sports (via HBO Max)
TNT Sports broadcasts 52 live Premier League matches in 2026⁄27, including the traditional Saturday 12:30 GMT lunchtime slot. This is a key change for UK viewers: from 26 March 2026, TNT Sports streaming moved from discovery+ to HBO Max. If you were streaming TNT Sports through discovery+, you will need to access it through HBO Max going forward. TNT Sports is also available via Sky, BT, and Virgin Media packages — check your existing subscription to confirm access.
BBC — Free Highlights Only
BBC Match of the Day remains the free-to-air option, but it carries highlights only — not live matches. It is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at no cost. This is the only legal way to watch Premier League action without a paid subscription in the UK.
Amazon Prime — No Longer Available
Amazon Prime Video exited its Premier League broadcasting deal after the 2024⁄25 season. It does not hold any live rights for 2026⁄27.
Pricing in the United Kingdom
Prices below are indicative. Always check directly with the provider for the latest offers, as subscription tiers and promotional pricing change regularly.
Sky Sports:
– Available as an add-on to a Sky TV subscription, or as part of a Sky Sports bundle. Pricing typically varies depending on your existing Sky package and contract length. Sky occasionally offers introductory deals for new customers.
– NOW Sports Membership: NOW offers Sky Sports content on a rolling monthly basis without a long-term contract. The Sports Membership typically costs more per month than a contracted Sky deal but requires no annual commitment. Check NOW’s website for current pricing in £.
TNT Sports via HBO Max:
– HBO Max offers TNT Sports access as part of its subscription. Pricing tiers typically vary — check HBO Max directly for the current monthly cost in £ and whether bundle options are available.
– TNT Sports is also bundled into certain Sky, BT Broadband, and Virgin Media packages, which may offer better value if you are already a customer of those providers.
BBC iPlayer (Match of the Day):
– Free with a valid UK TV licence. No additional subscription required.
Free or Legal Low-Cost Options in the United Kingdom
There is no live free-to-air Premier League coverage in the UK for 2026⁄27. All live matches require a paid subscription to either Sky Sports or TNT Sports (via HBO Max).
However, free options do exist for highlights:
- BBC Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer provides free edited highlights of Premier League matches, typically broadcast on Saturday evenings and available on-demand via iPlayer. This is the most significant free option available to UK viewers.
- Premier League official website and app also offers short free clip highlights, though not full match replays.
For lower-cost access to live matches:
– NOW Sports Membership offers a no-contract monthly rolling option, which can be useful for dipping in and out of coverage during the season without committing to a full Sky contract.
– Existing BT Broadband or Virgin Media subscribers should check whether TNT Sports access is included or discounted within their current package.
Free trials may be offered periodically by NOW or HBO Max — check directly with those providers, as availability and duration change.
Kickoff Times in the United Kingdom
All Premier League matches are broadcast in UK local time. During winter months (roughly late October to late March), the UK is on GMT. During summer months and the start/end of the season, the UK moves to British Summer Time (BST), which is GMT+1.
| Kickoff (home) | London |
|---|---|
| Sat 12:30 GMT | 12:30 GMT |
| Sat 15:00 GMT | 15:00 GMT |
| Sat 17:30 GMT | 17:30 GMT |
| Sun 14:00 GMT | 14:00 GMT |
| Sun 16:30 GMT | 16:30 GMT |
| Mon 20:00 GMT | 20:00 GMT |
Times shift by one hour for fixtures in Aug–early Oct and late Mar–May (British Summer Time).
For UK viewers, these are generally convenient domestic times. The Monday 20:00 GMT kickoff is the latest regular slot and may be less practical on a work night. The Saturday 12:30 GMT lunchtime kickoff — exclusive to TNT Sports — is an early start but straightforward for most viewers.
Blackout and Availability Rules in the United Kingdom
The most important restriction for UK viewers is the 3pm Saturday blackout, formally known as the closed period. No live Premier League football may be broadcast in the UK between 14:45 and 17:15 on Saturdays. This rule has been in place for decades to protect attendances at grassroots and lower-league football.
In practice, this means:
– Saturday 15:00 GMT kickoffs are not available to watch live in the UK on any platform — not on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, or any streaming service.
– This blackout applies regardless of whether you have a subscription.
– Matches from overseas leagues and other competitions may still be shown during this window, but Premier League fixtures are blacked out.
VPN and geo-restrictions: Premier League broadcasting rights are territorial. Attempting to use a VPN to bypass geo-blocks and access overseas streams of blacked-out matches is a breach of the terms of service of the relevant platforms and may infringe copyright law. This guide covers legal viewing options only.
Regional availability: Sky Sports and TNT Sports via HBO Max are available across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Streaming services require a stable broadband or mobile data connection.
Supported Devices and Apps in the United Kingdom
Sky Sports:
– Available through a Sky satellite dish and Sky box (including Sky Q and Sky Glass).
– The Sky Go app lets existing Sky subscribers stream on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and select smart TVs.
– Sky Sports channels are also available through Virgin Media and BT TV if included in your package.
NOW (streaming Sky Sports without a Sky dish):
– The NOW app is available on smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony, and others), Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and via web browser.
– No satellite dish or long-term contract required.
TNT Sports via HBO Max:
– The HBO Max app is available on smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android and iOS devices, and via web browser.
– Existing TNT Sports access through a Sky, BT, or Virgin Media subscription may use those providers’ own apps or set-top boxes rather than HBO Max directly — check with your provider.
BBC iPlayer (highlights):
– Available on virtually all connected devices: smart TVs, game consoles, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and browsers. Free to use with a TV licence.
FAQ
- Is Premier League free to watch in the UK?
- There is no live free-to-air Premier League coverage in the UK for 2026/27. All live matches require a paid subscription to Sky Sports or TNT Sports via HBO Max. However, BBC Match of the Day provides free edited highlights on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and is available to anyone with a valid UK TV licence.
- What time does Premier League kick off in the UK?
- The main Premier League kickoff slots in the UK are Saturday 12:30, 15:00, and 17:30; Sunday 14:00 and 16:30; and Monday 20:00. Note that the Saturday 15:00 slot is blacked out in the UK and cannot be watched live on any platform. Times shift by one hour during British Summer Time (roughly August to late October and late March to May).
- Can I stream Premier League without a TV subscription in the UK?
- Yes. NOW (formerly NOW TV) lets you stream Sky Sports matches on a rolling monthly basis without a satellite dish or long-term contract. TNT Sports matches are available via HBO Max, which also operates on a subscription streaming basis. Both are contract-free options that work through apps on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and computers.
- Where has TNT Sports Premier League streaming moved to in the UK?
- From 26 March 2026, TNT Sports streaming in the UK moved from discovery+ to HBO Max. If you were previously streaming TNT Sports through discovery+, you now need to access it via the HBO Max app or website. TNT Sports is still available through Sky, BT, and Virgin Media if it is included in your package.
- Why can I not watch the 3pm Saturday Premier League match live in the UK?
- The 3pm Saturday blackout (officially the closed period, running 14:45–17:15) is a long-standing UK rule that prohibits live broadcasting of English football during that window. It exists to protect attendances at lower-league and grassroots football. No broadcaster — Sky Sports, TNT Sports, or any streaming service — is permitted to show Premier League matches live in the UK during this period.