Watching the NFL from the UK is easier than it used to be, but the best option depends on how many games you want, whether you follow one team, and how willing you are to stay up after midnight. For 2026, Sky Sports and NFL Game Pass on DAZN remain the main paid routes, while selected games can also appear on free-to-air television. UK broadcast rights can affect which Sunday games are available live, so checking weekly listings still matters.
The main ways to watch NFL games in the UK
Sky Sports NFL
Sky Sports NFL is the simplest choice for viewers who already have a Sky Sports package. Sky agreed a new three-year NFL rights deal in 2025, so its coverage continues through the 2026 season. The channel carries a large selection of regular-season games, including Sunday fixtures, Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football, plus the playoffs and Super Bowl.
Sunday coverage is especially strong. Sky has first-pick rights to an exclusive game in the early window and another in the later window, with additional games also available. NFL RedZone is part of the offering too, useful if you prefer to follow scoring plays from around the league.
NFL Game Pass on DAZN
For fans who want the broadest access, NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the main streaming option. It includes preseason, regular-season games, the playoffs and Super Bowl, along with NFL RedZone, NFL Network and on-demand programming. The service uses the American game broadcasts, which suits viewers who want the original commentary and presentation.
There is one important UK restriction. Regional rights mean two Sunday regular-season games per week can be blacked out live on NFL Game Pass: typically one from the early window and one from the later window. DAZN says these games become available on demand 24 hours after they finish. Prime-time games, Thanksgiving games, the playoffs and Super Bowl are not normally affected by those weekly Sunday blackouts.
Free-to-air coverage on 5
The NFL’s current UK viewing information also lists 5 as a free-to-air option, following its expanded coverage introduced for the 2025 season. That included live Sunday games, selected playoff coverage and the Super Bowl. Because free-to-air schedules can change, check the NFL’s UK viewing information and 5’s listings before relying on a particular fixture being shown.
NFL kick-off times in the UK
Most NFL weekends follow a familiar pattern. The common NFL kick off times UK viewers see are around 6pm for the first Sunday window, 9.05pm or 9.25pm for the second, 1.20am for Sunday Night Football, and around 1.15am for Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football.
There are exceptions. Britain and the United States change between summer and winter time on different dates, creating a short autumn period when some American games start an hour earlier than usual in the UK. Flexible scheduling can also move selected late-season games. Use the listed UK time for each fixture rather than assuming every Sunday follows the same clock.
Which service is best for you?
If you mainly watch the biggest nationally televised games and already pay for Sky Sports, another subscription may be unnecessary. Sky Sports NFL covers the major prime-time games and a substantial Sunday selection, while RedZone provides a fast-moving view of the wider Sunday slate.
If you support a specific team and want to see nearly every game, DAZN NFL UK coverage through Game Pass is usually more flexible. You can watch across multiple weekly windows and use replays when a game finishes too late. Just remember that your team’s Sunday fixture could occasionally be one of the two UK blackout selections.
For example, suppose your team plays at 1.20am on a work night. Instead of staying awake for the entire broadcast, avoid score notifications and use Game Pass the next morning for an on-demand replay or condensed version. For many UK fans, live Sunday viewing combined with next-day prime-time replays is more practical than watching every game live.
How to stream NFL games on your devices
NFL Game Pass on DAZN supports phones, tablets, browsers, streaming sticks, games consoles and many smart TVs. Sky customers can use supported Sky services and apps, while NOW offers a no-contract route to Sky Sports.
Sign in on the device you plan to use before game night. Smart TV apps may need updating, and account problems are much easier to fix before kick-off than while the opening drive is already underway.
Watching the 2026 NFL London games
The 2026 season includes three regular-season games in London. The Indianapolis Colts play the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 4 October, the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars there on 11 October, and the Houston Texans meet the Jaguars at Wembley on 18 October. All three are scheduled for 1.30pm UK time, giving British viewers afternoon NFL football instead of a late-night start.
Sky’s current rights agreement includes all London and European games. NFL Game Pass also provides international-game access, subject to regional terms. For other international fixtures, check the listed UK time because games outside Europe can fall at unusual hours.
Check the weekly listings before Sunday
A quick weekly check avoids most confusion. Confirm your team’s kick-off time, look at Sky’s selected Sunday games, check whether DAZN lists a blackout, and see whether a free-to-air game is available. This becomes even more useful late in the season, when flexible scheduling can change times and television selections.
Useful related reading includes NFL rules for new fans, the NFL London schedule, and how the NFL playoffs work.
Frequently asked questions
NFL Game Pass on DAZN offers the widest coverage, but two Sunday regular-season games per week can be blacked out live in the UK because of local broadcast rights. Those games are generally available on demand after a 24-hour delay. Sky Sports shows a large selection, including exclusive Sunday picks.
Yes. NFL RedZone is available through NFL Game Pass on DAZN and through Sky’s NFL coverage. It is useful on Sunday evenings because it moves between games to show scoring opportunities and major plays.
The most common Sunday windows are 6pm and 9.05pm or 9.25pm UK time, followed by Sunday Night Football at around 1.20am. Daylight-saving differences and flexible scheduling can temporarily change those times.
Yes. NFL Game Pass on DAZN is a standalone way to stream the league, and selected games may also be available free-to-air on 5. NOW is another option for streaming Sky Sports without a traditional long-term Sky TV contract.
Choosing the right way to watch
There is no single best setup for every UK fan. Sky Sports NFL suits viewers who want a strong weekly selection and prime-time coverage, while NFL Game Pass on DAZN is better for fans who want broad league access and extensive on-demand viewing. Free-to-air games can fill some gaps without another subscription. Once you understand the normal UK kick-off windows and check the weekly rights selections, following the NFL from Britain becomes much simpler.
