Cheapest Way to Watch Premier League UK (2026 Cost Guide and 5 Options)

Watch Live Premier League in The UK, US and Canada - TV schedule 2021/22

How to Watch Premier League in the U.K for FREE and Legally

Watching the Premier League in the UK has long been associated with high costs, long contracts, and complicated TV packages. For many fans, the assumption is simple: if you want to watch live matches, you have to pay a lot.

That assumption is no longer true.

In 2026, there are cheaper, legal, and far more flexible ways to watch Premier League football without signing up for a full Sky or Virgin Media TV package. The real challenge is knowing which option is actually the cheapest for you, because that depends on how often you watch and which matches you care about.

This guide breaks down the cheapest ways to watch the Premier League in the UK, with real cost comparisons, official sources, and practical advice that helps you avoid overpaying.

What is the cheapest way to watch Premier League live in the UK

What “Cheapest” Really Means for UK Premier League Fans

Before comparing prices, it’s important to be realistic about what’s possible in the UK.

• You cannot watch every Premier Leaguematch live, due to the Saturday 3PM blackout

• Broadcasting rights are split across multiple platforms

• No single service offers full live coverage

So the cheapest option is not the same for everyone. It depends on whether you:

• Watch occasionally or every weekend

• Care about live matches or are happy with highlights

• Want flexibility or fixed monthly access

Option 1: NOW Sports Day Pass – The Cheapest for Occasional Viewers

Official site: https://www.nowtv.com/sports

Why This Is the Lowest-Cost Entry Point

The NOW Sports Day Pass is the cheapest legal way to watch live Premier League football in the UK if you only watch occasionally.

What You Get

• 24-hour access to Sky Sports channels

• Live Premier League matches shown on Sky

• No contract, no ongoing commitment

Best For

• Casual fans

• Viewers who only watch big matches

• Fans who don’t follow football every weekend

For many people, buying one or two day passes per month costs far less than any monthly subscription or TV package.

Option 2: NOW Sports Monthly Pass – Best Value for Regular Fans

If you watch Premier League football most weekends, the NOW monthly pass quickly becomes cheaper than repeated day passes.

Why It Offers Better Value

• Cancel anytime

• No satellite dish or TV package

• Lower long-term cost than traditional TV bundles

Coverage

NOW (via Sky Sports) typically includes:

• Sunday matches

• Monday Night Football

• Many midweek fixtures

• Selected Saturday evening games

For regular viewers who focus on Sky’s coverage, this is often the best balance between price and access.

Option 3: Discovery+ (TNT Sports) – A Cheap Add-On, Not a Standalone Solution

Official site: https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb

What It Covers

TNT Sports shows:

• Saturday lunchtime kick-offs

• Selected midweek Premier League matches

Why It’s Cheap

Discovery+ Premium is significantly cheaper than full sports TV packages and doesn’t require a contract.

The Limitation

On its own, Discovery+ does not offer enough Premier League matches to be the cheapest solution overall. It works best when combined with NOW, not as a standalone option.

Option 4: Amazon Prime Video – Cheapest If You Already Have It

Official site: https://www.amazon.co.uk/primevideo

Amazon Prime Video streams selected Premier League matchweeks, usually during December.

Why It Can Be the Cheapest Option

• No extra sports fee

• Included with standard Prime membership

The Catch

• Only available for specific rounds

• Not season-long coverage

If you already pay for Prime, this is essentially free Premier League football during those matchweeks.

Option 5: Highlights and Replays – The Absolute Cheapest Legal Option

For fans who don’t need live matches, highlights are the cheapest way to follow the league.

What’s Available

• Match highlights shortly after full-time

• Extended highlights and analysis

• Full replays later the same day or next day

Cost

• Often free

• Sometimes included with basic subscriptions

This option avoids blackout restrictions entirely and costs little to nothing.

Why Traditional TV Packages Are Rarely the Cheapest Choice

Full TV sports packages are designed for households that watch many channels, not football-only fans.

Common Downsides

• Long contracts (often 18–24 months)

• High monthly costs year-round

• Paying for channels you don’t use

For most Premier League-only viewers, streaming-only options are consistently cheaper.

Cheapest Options by Viewer Type (2026)

Important Costs People Often Forget

Even the cheapest options come with a few requirements:

• A valid UK TV licence (for live viewing): https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk

• Stable internet connection

• Compatible device (smart TV, phone, tablet, or laptop)

These aren’t new costs for most households, but they matter for legality and reliability.

Final Verdict: What Is the Cheapest Way in 2026?

There is no single cheapest option for everyone. The real savings come from matching your subscription to your viewing habits.

• Watch occasionally? Pay per day.

• Watch regularly? Use a monthly streaming pass.

• Don’t need live football? Highlights cost almost nothing.

In nearly all cases, streaming is cheaper than a traditional TV package for Premier League fans in the UK.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to watch Premier League live in the UK?

For occasional viewers, NOW Sports day passes are usually the cheapest legal option.

Is streaming cheaper than Sky Sports TV packages?

Yes. For football-only fans, streaming services are almost always cheaper.

Can I watch every Premier League match cheaply?

No. Saturday 3PM matches are not broadcast live in the UK.

Do I need a TV licence to stream Premier League matches?

Yes. A TV licence is required for live viewing on any device.

Is Amazon Prime enough to follow the Premier League?

No, but it offers selected matchweeks at no extra cost if you already subscribe.