Best Football Streaming Services in the UK – Full Comparison (2025/26)

Introduction

Watching football in the UK is not as simple as subscribing to a single platform.
Unlike other countries, football broadcasting rights in the UK are split across multiple services, meaning fans often need more than one subscription to follow their favourite teams and competitions.

This guide provides a clear and up-to-date comparison of all the main football streaming platforms available in the UK, explaining:

• what football each service shows,
• which competitions are included,
• which platforms are free or paid,
• and which option is best depending on what you want to watch.

If you are looking for the best way to watch football in the UK in the 2025/26 season, this page will help you choose.

Football streaming platforms available in the UK

These are the main platforms currently broadcasting live football in the UK. Each service covers different competitions, which is why many fans need more than one subscription to watch all the football they want.

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Comparison table – Football streaming services in the UK

The table below compares the main football streaming platforms in the UK, showing which competitions each service covers and whether a subscription is required.

Platform	Paid or Free	Main competitions	Premier League	Champions League	Free matches
Sky Sports	Paid	Premier League EFL	✅	❌	❌
TNT Sports	Paid	UEFA Competitions	❌	✅	❌
BBC iPlayer	Free	FA Cup	❌	❌	✅
ITVX	Free	FA Cup Tournaments	❌	❌	✅
Amazon Prime Video	Paid	Selected PL Matches	⚠️	❌	❌
DAZN	Paid	International Leagues	❌	❌	❌

Platform-by-platform breakdown

Sky Sports

Sky Sports is the main destination for Premier League football in the UK, offering the largest number of live league matches each season.

It operates several dedicated football channels, including Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Football, providing extensive analysis, pre-match shows and highlights.

• Premier League matches
• EFL competitions
• In-depth studio coverage

TNT Sports

TNT Sports is the exclusive home of UEFA club competitions in the UK, making it the go-to platform for fans of European football.

The service broadcasts the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, covering matches from the group stages through to the finals.

• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Europa League
• UEFA Europa Conference League

BBC iPlayer

BBC iPlayer is the UK’s main free-to-air platform for live football, offering selected matches without requiring a paid subscription.

While its live football coverage is limited compared to paid services, BBC iPlayer regularly broadcasts FA Cup matches and provides extensive highlights and analysis.

• FA Cup matches (selected games)
• Free-to-air football coverage
• Match highlights and analysis

ITVX

ITVX is another free-to-air streaming platform in the UK that broadcasts selected live football matches without requiring a paid subscription.

Its football coverage mainly focuses on domestic cup competitions and special tournaments, making it a useful option for viewers looking to watch occasional matches for free.

• FA Cup matches (selected games)
• Free-to-air football
• Coverage of major tournaments

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video holds rights to a limited number of Premier League matches each season in the UK, which are included at no extra cost for Prime subscribers.

Although its football coverage is not extensive, Amazon Prime Video usually broadcasts full matchdays during specific periods of the season, making it a valuable addition for Premier League fans.

• Selected Premier League matchdays
• Included with Amazon Prime subscription
• High-quality streaming and on-demand access

DAZN

DAZN is a global sports streaming service that offers a wide range of football competitions, mainly focusing on international leagues rather than UK domestic tournaments.

In the UK, DAZN is best suited for fans who want to follow European and international football outside the Premier League and UEFA club competitions.

• International football leagues
• Coverage outside UK domestic competitions
• On-demand streaming and multi-device access

Which platform should you choose?

Choosing the best football streaming platform in the UK depends on which competitions you want to watch and whether you prefer free or paid services.

Best option for Premier League fans 🇬🇧

If your main interest is the Premier League, Sky Sports is the best option, as it broadcasts the largest number of live league matches throughout the season. Amazon Prime Video can be a useful complement during selected matchdays.

Best option for European football fans 🇪🇺

Fans of the UEFA Champions League and other European competitions should choose TNT Sports, which holds exclusive UK broadcasting rights for UEFA club tournaments.

Best option for free football 🆓

For viewers who want to watch football without paying a subscription, BBC iPlayer and ITVX are the best choices, offering selected FA Cup matches and free-to-air coverage.

Best option for all-in football fans 🔥

Hardcore football fans who want access to domestic, European and international leagues may need a combination of services, such as Sky Sports, TNT Sports and DAZN. This option is ideal for hardcore fans who don’t want to miss any major competition.

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Final verdict: the best ways to watch football in the UK

Finding the best football streaming service in the UK depends on which competitions you follow most closely. Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive Premier League coverage, while TNT Sports is the go-to platform for UEFA tournaments such as the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

For viewers looking for free football on TV, BBC iPlayer and ITVX provide selected live matches from domestic competitions, making them a solid complement to paid services. Amazon Prime Video also broadcasts a limited number of Premier League fixtures each season, adding extra value for existing subscribers.

Ultimately, fans who want full access to top domestic and European football often combine more than one platform to cover all major competitions throughout the season.