In the UK, football matches are broadcast across a wide range of domestic leagues and international competitions, each with its own TV rights and viewing options. Knowing where to watch a specific competition can sometimes be confusing, especially when matches are spread across different broadcasters and platforms.
This football TV guide explains how competitions are shown on TV in the UK and how to find live matches by competition. Whether you are looking for domestic leagues, cup tournaments or major European competitions, this page helps you understand how football broadcasting works and where to watch each tournament legally.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the main football competitions shown on UK TV, along with links to dedicated TV guide pages for each competition.
Major UK Football Competitions on TV
Premier League
The Premier League is the most-watched football competition in the UK. Matches are primarily broadcast live on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, with selected fixtures also available via official streaming services.
FA Cup
The FA Cup is one of the oldest football competitions in the world and is widely broadcast on UK television. Matches are typically shown on BBC and ITV, including early rounds and major fixtures.
EFL Championship
The Championship features some of the most competitive football in England. Matches are shown across Sky Sports and other official broadcasters throughout the season.
Carabao Cup
The Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) includes clubs from across the English football pyramid and is broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.
European Football Competitions Broadcast in the UK
UEFA Champions League
Europe’s top club competition is broadcast in the UK primarily on TNT Sports, with extensive live coverage throughout the season.
UEFA Europa League
The Europa League features clubs from across Europe and is shown on TNT Sports alongside the Champions League.
International and Overseas Leagues on UK TV
In addition to domestic and European competitions, UK broadcasters also show selected matches from international leagues such as La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. Coverage varies by season and broadcaster, with different competitions available on different platforms.
👉 Browse all football competitions on TV
How to Find Football Matches by Competition
You can explore football matches by competition using our dedicated competition pages, which show upcoming fixtures, kick-off times and UK TV channels. If you are looking for matches happening soon, you can also check our live schedules for:
This makes it easy to find matches either by date or by competition.
Why TV Rights Vary by Competition
Football TV rights in the UK are sold separately for each competition. This means that different broadcasters may hold the rights to domestic leagues, cup competitions and European tournaments. As a result, football fans often need access to multiple channels or streaming services to watch all competitions legally.
Understanding how TV rights work helps explain why matches from different competitions appear on different platforms throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all football competitions shown on TV in the UK?
Not all competitions are broadcast live. Coverage depends on TV rights agreements and broadcaster schedules.
Do football competitions always have the same broadcaster?
TV rights can change between seasons, so broadcasters for a competition may vary over time.
Can I watch football competitions legally online in the UK?
Yes. Many competitions are available through official streaming services linked to UK broadcasters.
👉 See the best football streaming services in the UK
This football TV guide by competition is designed to help fans understand how football is broadcast in the UK and how to find live matches quickly and legally. By browsing competitions directly, you can easily stay up to date with upcoming fixtures and TV schedules throughout the season.