TV Licensing

To enjoy your favourite sport as it happens, on a TV, laptop, tablet or mobile, you need a valid TV Licence. It covers you to watch or record every kick, a wicket, or a try as they’re being shown on TV, or live streamed online, including BBC iPlayer.

Where and how to watch live sport

Fans in the UK can enjoy an incredible range of live sport through free-to-air subscription channels.

Here’s where you can find the biggest sporting events on the calendar:

• BBC: Broadcasts major sporting moments such as Wimbledon, The Ashes, and the Six Nations, plus live football and cricket along with extensive highlights.
• ITV: Home to the UEFA European Championships, England Women’s Football, and shared coverage of the Six Nations.
• Sky Sports: Offers full coverage of Premier League football, international cricket, rugby union, Formula 1, and ATP tennis.
• TNT Sports: Covers Champions League football, rugby union, and leading cricket tournaments.
• Channel 4: Airs selected live sport including the FA Cup and major events across football and rugby.

Big events like The Euros, The Ashes, Wimbledon, and the Six Nations bring the nation together in living rooms, pubs, and fan zones.

Remember, you’ll need a valid licence to watch live sport on any channel or any device, and if you’re streaming or catching up on BBC iPlayer.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the UK

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place from 11th June to 19th July across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, UK viewers can still enjoy every moment live.

World Cup fixtures are typically shown on major UK broadcasters and streaming services. Because matches are being played across several time zones, kick-offs will fall later than usual in the UK. If you can’t watch a game live but record it or catch up on BBC iPlayer you’ll need to be covered by a valid licence. Catching up on ITVX will not require a licence.

If you’re checking where to watch matches in the UK, keep an eye on confirmed listings from the BBC and ITV. This way, you won’t miss any of the action as nations compete to be the first qualifier from their group.

Even though the World Cup is hosted in the United States, the same TV Licence rules apply. You need a valid licence to watch any match live on TV or online on any device, record or catchup with coverage on BBC iPlayer.

Frequently asked questions

When is the World Cup 2026?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

Where in Mexico is the World Cup 2026 being held?

World Cup 2026 matches in Mexico are scheduled to be played in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

How many people watch the World Cup final?

The World Cup final attracts one of the biggest global TV audiences of any sporting event. The 2022 World Cup final was the most watched in history, drawing around 1.5 billion viewers worldwide across live and recorded coverage.

Where can I watch the FIFA World Cup in the UK?

In the UK, World Cup matches will be shown on BBC and ITV as well as their live streaming services. Highlights are also available across TV and online platforms, like ITVX and BBC iPlayer.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch the World Cup live?

Yes. Having a valid TV Licence will mean you can watch or stream live, record or catchup on BBC iPlayer so you don’t miss a moment of the 2026 World Cup.

Most Popular Live Sports

Women’s sport continues to thrive in the UK, with more live coverage than ever before across football, rugby, and cricket. You can find details on how to watch these events in the section below.

Other sports are attracting huge audiences too, such as Formula 1, which brings fans together every race weekend on Sky Sports and Channel 4, and boxing, which continues to draw prime-time viewership across multiple broadcasters.

How to Watch Your Favourite Sports

Here’s a quick guide on where you can follow your favourite sports live.

Football

Men's football

• The UEFA European Championships air on BBC and ITV
• Premier League matches are live on Sky Sports with highlights on BBC
• Champions League games appear on TNT Sports.

Women’s Football:

• Women’s Super League coverage is available on Sky Sports and BBC
• The FA Cup is broadcast on TNT and Channel 4
• England Women’s matches are on ITV
• Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland games are on BBC
• Women’s Champions League matches are on Disney+.

Cricket

Men's Cricket

• ICC tournaments, County Championship, Indian Premier League, The Ashes, and The Hundred are shown on Sky Sports.

Women's Cricket

• T20 internationals air on BBC
• Additional international matches on Sky Sports.

Rugby

Men's Rugby

Union and International Rugby:

• Six Nations matches are broadcast on BBC and ITV
• Rugby Union are aired on TNT/Discovery+
• British & Irish Lions tours and Rugby Championship are on Sky Sports.

Women’s Rugby

• Premiership Rugby and Women’s World Cup games are available across BBC, YouTube, and TNT.

Tennis

Wimbledon

• The iconic summer Grand Slam is broadcast on BBC in the UK.

Other ATP and Grand Slam tournaments:

• US Open and other events live on Sky Sports.

Be Ready Before the Big Event

Don’t let not having a TV Licence ruin the big moment. Check your setup, secure your connection, and most importantly, make sure you have a valid TV Licence for uninterrupted access to your favourite sports and enjoy every second without stress.