Where to watch Sky Sports

Lyndsey Burton
This TV comparison is produced and maintained by Choose, under the editorial oversight of Lyndsey Burton, Founder & Managing Director.

Sky Sports is available through several UK TV providers, either as part of a bundle or as an add-on pack. Depending on the provider, customers can choose between flexible monthly plans or longer-term contracts that may reduce the monthly cost.

It's currently possible to watch Sky Sports through:

The Sky Sports pack includes 12 dedicated channels such as Sky Sports Premier League, Football, F1 and Main Event, along with the newer Sky Sports+ service, which adds extra live streams and additional fixtures at no extra cost for eligible subscribers.

Channel availability can vary by provider and device. For example, Virgin Media TV bundles typically include Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Mix as part of the base TV package, while the full Sky Sports channel pack is added as a paid upgrade.

Picture quality and features also differ by platform. HD versions of Sky Sports channels are widely available, while UHD coverage may require compatible equipment and an additional monthly add-on depending on the provider and package.

Quick comparison: where you can watch Sky Sports and how flexible each option is.

Provider Base TV contract Sky Sports add-on UHD available
Sky (Stream, Glass, Q) 24 months or 31-day rolling (Stream) Add-on; 24 months or 31-day rolling Yes (UHD add-on)
Virgin Media (Mega TV) 24 months Bundle or monthly add-on Yes (UHD add-on)
Virgin Media Flex 30-day rolling Add-on Yes (UHD add-on)
EE TV 24 months Sports plan or monthly add-on Not supported
NOW No contract Monthly or day passes Yes (Ultra Boost add-on)

Sky Sports prices

Sky Sports pricing varies depending on the provider, platform and contract length, with promotional offers often reducing the monthly cost for new customers.

As a guide, Sky Sports typically costs between about £20 and £35 per month when added to a pay TV package, depending on whether you choose a long-term contract or a flexible rolling option. For example, Sky Sports can cost around £20 per month on a 24-month plan, or roughly £27-£33 per month on rolling plans.

Standalone streaming options can be more flexible but may cost more. A monthly NOW Sports Membership currently costs about £34.99, while a one-day pass starts from £14.99.

Some providers also include Sky Sports within bundle pricing rather than as a separate add-on. For example, certain Virgin Media bundles include Sky Sports within the overall monthly price, while others allow it to be added as an upgrade depending on the package selected.

It's also possible to take a TV plan on a long-term contract while adding Sky Sports on a monthly rolling basis. This can provide flexibility for viewers who only want access during a sports season or specific event, though the monthly cost is usually higher than committing to a longer contract.

How to find the best Sky Sports deals

The best Sky Sports deals can usually be found in the comparison table above, where current offers from different providers are listed side by side. Promotional pricing is most common for new customers taking TV or broadband bundles for the first time.

Introductory offers often reduce the monthly cost for a limited period, after which the price typically increases to the standard rate. The size of the discount and length of the promotion vary between providers and packages.

Some deals may also include incentives such as bill credits, temporary price reductions or bundled upgrades, for example including HD or UHD access within the monthly price for a promotional period.

Virgin Media Flex sometimes offers additional bill credit incentives for Sky Sports subscriptions, although eligibility and amounts can change and may not apply alongside promotional pricing.

Read more in our guide to the cheapest Sky Sports deals.

Channels included in the Sky Sports pack

The Sky Sports subscription gives access to a group of dedicated sports channels, although the exact lineup and naming can vary slightly depending on platform and seasonal programming.

The main Sky Sports channels currently include:

  • Sky Sports Main Event
  • Sky Sports Premier League
  • Sky Sports Football
  • Sky Sports Cricket
  • Sky Sports Golf
  • Sky Sports F1
  • Sky Sports Action
  • Sky Sports Arena
  • Sky Sports Tennis

Additional channels such as Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Mix are often included as part of a base TV package rather than requiring a Sky Sports subscription. Availability can vary between providers and packages.

Sky Sports also offers extra live streams and event coverage through Sky Sports+, which provides access to additional fixtures and bonus feeds for eligible subscribers.

Some channels may temporarily rebrand to cover major events - for example, Sky Sports F1 occasionally becomes Sky Sports Darts during the World Darts Championship - before returning to their usual name afterwards.

Leagues and match rights on Sky Sports

Sky Sports broadcasts a wide range of live sport from the UK and around the world, although rights vary by competition and are often shared with other broadcasters depending on the event.

  • Football - including Premier League matches, English Football League fixtures, Scottish Premiership games and selected women's competitions such as the Women's Super League. From the 2025/26 season Sky Sports will show at least 215 live Premier League games each year, more than any other broadcaster.
  • Formula 1 - exclusive live coverage of every practice session, qualifying and race until at least 2029.
  • Cricket - England home internationals (men's and women's), County Championship, The Hundred, Vitality Blast, and major ICC global tournaments through to 2031.
  • Golf - exclusive UK rights to all four men's majors, all five women's majors, the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and PGA Tour events until at least 2029.
  • Rugby League - every Super League match live from 2024-2026, including all Grand Finals.
  • Rugby Union - selected international matches and tours, including events such as the British & Irish Lions tour when rights apply.
  • Tennis - year-round ATP and WTA Tour coverage plus the US Open until at least 2028.
  • NFL - live American football games including the Super Bowl.
  • Boxing - regular UK and international fight nights.
  • Darts - major Professional Darts Corporation events including the World Championship.
  • Netball - international matches and domestic competitions.
  • Multi-sport events - additional coverage from athletics, motorsport and other competitions depending on seasonal rights agreements.

Sky Sports Premier League

Sky Sports will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches per season from the 2025/26 campaign under the league's latest domestic rights deal, more than any other UK broadcaster. The remaining live matches are shown by other rights holders, primarily TNT Sports.

Sky Sports also holds a major long-term agreement with the English Football League, showing over 1,000 matches per season across the Championship, League One, League Two, play-offs and cup competitions including the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy.

Additional football coverage on Sky Sports includes selected Scottish Premiership matches, Women's Super League fixtures and international qualifiers when rights are held. Coverage varies by competition and season depending on broadcasting agreements.

Sky Sports F1

Sky Sports has exclusive live UK rights to Formula 1 until at least 2029 and broadcasts every race weekend live on its dedicated Sky Sports F1 channel, including practice sessions and qualifying.

Many races are available in Ultra HD and HDR on supported platforms, although customers need compatible equipment and may need to subscribe to UHD add-on packs depending on their TV provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Sky Sports cheapest?

The price of Sky Sports varies between providers, packages and promotions. The easiest way to compare current pricing is by using the comparison table above, which shows live offers from different TV providers.

You can filter deals by availability using your postcode, refine results by additional channels or bundle type, and sort offers by price or promotional discounts to find the lowest-cost option available to you.

Some providers offer additional savings when Sky Sports is taken as part of a bundle with other premium packs such as TNT Sports or Sky Cinema. Promotional offers are also common, with discounted pricing often available for an introductory period before reverting to the standard monthly rate.

For more detail on comparing options, see our guide to where to watch Sky Sports the cheapest.

Is Sky Sports in HD?

Yes. Sky Sports channels are broadcast in HD, typically up to 1080p depending on the provider, device and subscription package. Sky customers usually receive HD versions of Sky Sports channels as standard, with the option to upgrade to Ultra HD for an additional monthly cost if they have a compatible TV and supported device. Not all sporting events are produced in UHD, so 4K availability varies by broadcast.

Virgin Media also provides Sky Sports channels in full HD, including when taken with bundles such as the Sport HD + Netflix plan or the Max Volt bundle, where HD sports channels are included.

Streaming access through NOW typically starts at up to 720p resolution on standard plans. Customers can upgrade to higher streaming quality, including 1080p Full HD, by adding the NOW Boost add-on where supported.

Where can I watch Sky Sports Ultra HD?

Sky and Virgin Media both offer access to Sky Sports Ultra HD for an additional cost, with selected live sporting events available in 4K resolution.

Most current Sky and Virgin Media TV boxes support 4K, but customers still need the relevant UHD add-on or Sky Sports UHD channel included in their subscription to watch events in Ultra HD.

NOW also offers higher-resolution streaming through its upgraded Ultra Boost plan when watched directly on supported devices. However, these enhanced streaming features are not currently supported on some TV platforms, including certain EE TV or TalkTalk TV boxes, even though those platforms can still access Sky Sports content.

Can I get Sky Sports without a contract?

It's possible to sign up to watch Sky Sports on a monthly basis with Sky Stream, Virgin Media Flex, EE TV or NOW.

Sky Stream customers can opt for a 31-day rolling monthly contract for an extra fee, while Virgin Flex offers Sky Sports on a 30-day term as standard.

While EE TV has a minimum term for its TV package, customers can usually upgrade or downgrade individual channel packs on a monthly basis.

People who sign up to Sky Sports with Virgin Media as part of a bundle, such as Virgin Media's Sport HD plan, will be subject to the same minimum term as the overall package, as will Sky Q customers.

What Sky Sports deals are available for existing customers?

Existing Sky TV customers may be able to access discounted Sky Sports offers, depending on their package and account status. These can include price reductions on the full Sky Sports pack or promotional pricing on individual channels such as Sky Sports Cricket or Sky Sports Football.

Availability varies and offers are not guaranteed, as discounts are typically targeted or time-limited. The best way to check current options is through your account or by comparing available packages.

Find out more in our guide to the cheapest ways to get Sky Sports.

How can I sign up for Sky Sports online?

The Sky Sports comparison table above shows current TV bundle options that include access to the Sky Sports channel pack.

You can filter deals by availability using your postcode, as well as refine results by adding extra channel packs such as TNT Sports or Sky Cinema.

Some providers - including Virgin Media, BT and EE TV - may require new customers to take their broadband service alongside TV. Bundling Sky Sports with TV and broadband can sometimes reduce the overall monthly cost compared with taking services separately, depending on the promotion.

By sorting deals by price or special offer, you can compare available options and choose the package that suits you. Once you've selected a deal, clicking the "Get deal" button takes you to the provider's website to complete sign-up through their online checkout process.

Compare Sky Sports deals