TV Licensing

Nothing beats the excitement of watching live football — from Premier League drama to World Cup showdowns and edge‑of‑your‑seat cup finals. If you want the full experience, you need to watch it live.

To watch or record any match as it’s broadcast — on any channel, platform or service, including BBC iPlayer — you must have a valid TV Licence.

Stay covered. Don’t miss a moment.

Buy a TV Licence

Where to watch live football coverage and highlights

Fans across the UK can watch live football and highlights across a wide range of broadcasters and streaming services.

• BBC: Match of the Day brings you Premier League highlights, while the BBC also broadcasts selected FA Cup matches and shares major tournament fixtures — like the Euros and the FIFA World Cup — with ITV. Live coverage and highlights are also available on iPlayer.


• ITV: ITV shows live international fixtures, including major tournaments, and England Women’s matches. All coverage can be streamed on ITVX.


• Channel 4: Channel 4 presents live Women’s FA Cup action — watch on TV or via their streaming service.


• Sky Sports: Sky Sports shows the highest number of Premier League matches, plus extensive EFL coverage and major women’s competitions including the WSL.


• TNT Sports: TNT Sports is home to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, alongside selected Premier League and FA Cup matches. Games can be streamed on platforms like HBO Max.


• Amazon: Amazon Prime shows top European football including some UEFA Champions league matches, and you can watch Premier League games live via subscription services.

Broadcast rights change each season — check listings regularly for the latest details.

To watch football live — on TV or online — or to stream highlights on iPlayer, you’ll need a valid TV Licence.

Buy a TV Licence

Where to watch live Premier League football

The Premier League is the most watched domestic football competition in the UK, running from August to May.

• Sky Sports: At least 215 live matches per season
• TNT Sports: 52 live matches
• BBC: Match of the Day with the biggest games and biggest names
• Amazon Prime: watch live matches via subscription services

Watch live Premier League football across a variety of platforms.

How to watch Premier League matches online

Many fans watch live Premier League football or match highlights online using streaming services.

• Watch Sky Sports via Sky Go or NOW TV
• Stream TNT Sports on HBO Max
• Catch Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

You can livestream coverage of the Premier League and watch matches on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Wherever you follow the action, just make sure you’re licensed.

How to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the UK

The 2026 World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Mexico and Canada — and UK viewers can watch every match live.

Games will be shown across major broadcasters and streaming services. You’ll need a TV Licence to watch live, record games or catch-up on iPlayer. You don’t need a licence to catch-up on ITVX.

Check BBC and ITV schedules closer to the tournament to see where each match is shown.

Even though the World Cup is hosted in the United States, the same TV Licence rules apply. You’ll need a valid TV Licence to watch matches live on TV or online on any device, record or catch-up with coverage on BBC iPlayer. 

Be ready for match day

Watching football live is one of the best ways to experience the excitement of every game.

Before kick‑off:

• Check TV and streaming apps are updated
• Make sure your internet connection is reliable
• Confirm your TV Licence is valid

A valid TV Licence ensures you’re covered to watch or stream live matches on TV or online, and to catch-up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Ready for the season? Get covered today.

Buy a TV Licence

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch football live in the UK?

Live football matches are shown on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, BBC, ITV and Channel 4, plus you can watch via their streaming services.

How can I watch Premier League matches?

Sky Sports and TNT Sports broadcast live Premier League football. You can watch highlights on BBC and iPlayer.

Do I need a TV Licence to watch football live?

Yes. A TV Licence is required to watch or stream football matches live on any channel or service, or to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer.

When is the 2026 World Cup?

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

Where in Mexico is the World Cup 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?

Around 1.5 billion people worldwide watched the 2022 final across live and recorded coverage.

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

In the UK, BBC and ITV will show all the World Cup matches live on TV and their streaming services. Highlights will be shown across TV, on ITVX and BBC iPlayer.

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

Yes – you need a valid TV Licence to watch or stream live, record or catch-up on BBC iPlayer so you don’t miss a moment of the 2026 World Cup.