Sky is the default answer to “how do I watch the football” in most UK homes, and it is also the biggest line on many household budgets.
What does Sky cost?
| Price | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Essential TV + UK Sports (new customers, Sky Stream) | From £35 a month | 24-month contract |
| UK Sports add-on (existing customers) | £24 a month after a 9% rise | Prices rise most Aprils |
| Add TNT Sports | About £30.99 more | Many homes pay around £60 for both |
What does Sky hold the rights to?
- Premier League: at least 215 live games a season, 2025-29.
- EFL: 1,059 games a season, including every Carabao Cup and play-off game.
- Formula 1: every session live, with exclusive UK rights extended to 2,034.
- Cricket: most England home internationals and domestic cricket to 2028.
- Scottish Premiership: up to 60 games a season.
- Darts: the PDC World Championship.
How does IPTV compare?
| Sky | IPTV subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From £35 a month | From £6.25 a month with us |
| Contract | 24 months | None; pay for 1 to 12 months |
| Equipment | Sky box or Stream puck | An app on your own device |
| Rights | Licensed for everything it shows | Depends on the provider: ask |
| Picture | Reliable HD and 4K | Depends on the provider and your Wi-Fi |
The honest summary: Sky is licensed, reliable and expensive, and it ties you in. IPTV is cheaper and flexible, but whether it is licensed depends entirely on who you buy from. Read is IPTV legal? before you switch.
Readers also ask
How much is UK Sports a month in 2026?
New customers can get Sky Essential TV with UK Sports from £35 a month on a 24-month contract via Sky Stream. Prices differ for satellite customers and for existing customers, who saw the UK Sports add-on rise from £22 to £24.
Can I get UK Sports without a contract?
Yes, through NOW Sports: £14.99 for a day or £34.99 for a rolling month, with no contract. See our NOW comparison.
Does Sky show every Premier League game?
No. Sky shows at least 215 games a season, TNT Sports shows 52, and Saturday 3pm games are not shown live in the UK at all.
Sources
- Choose: cheapest ways to get UK Sports checked 6 October 2026
- SVG Europe: Premier League seals UK rights deal with UK Sports, TNT Sports and BBC Sport checked 6 October 2026
- Broadband TV News: Sky extends Formula 1 rights deal into next decade checked 6 October 2026