Which Channel Is Football On? Live Broadcast Guide for 2026

Every weekend, millions of people ask the same question: which channel is football on? It’s not just about finding a TV station-it’s about not missing a goal, a red card, or that last-minute winner. With so many leagues, tournaments, and streaming options, knowing where to watch can feel like a full-time job. Here’s the clear, up-to-date guide for February 2026.

Domestic Leagues: Where to Watch Your Local Team

If you’re in the U.S., the main domestic football leagues are Major League Soccer (MLS) and the U.S. Open Cup. MLS games air primarily on Apple TV+ through its exclusive deal that started in 2023. Every single match is available live, no regional blackouts, no cable bundle required. Just pay $15/month and you get every game, every highlight, every replay.

In the U.K., the Premier League is split between Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Sky still holds the bulk of the Saturday 3 p.m. and Sunday slots, while Prime picks up the Thursday night games and a few weekend matches. If you’re a fan of Manchester United, Liverpool, or Arsenal, you’ll need both services to catch all their away games.

In Germany, Bundesliga matches are mostly on DAZN in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.K., they’re on Sky Sports. Spain’s La Liga? ESPN+ has nearly all matches, including the big ones between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Italy’s Serie A is on Paramount+ with select games on ESPN.

International Tournaments: World Cup, Euros, Copa América

When the big tournaments roll around, the channels change. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico-the U.S. broadcast rights belong to Fox Sports and Telemundo. Fox will air the English-language coverage, including the final. Telemundo handles Spanish-language broadcasts, which often have higher viewership than the English feed.

The 2024 UEFA Euro was on ESPN+ and ABC in the U.S., but for the 2028 edition, the rights have shifted to NBC and Peacock. That means if you’re planning ahead for Euro 2028, you’ll need a Peacock subscription to watch most matches live.

For Copa América 2024, CONMEBOL’s tournament was broadcast on TNT Sports and Univision in the U.S. For 2027, the same partners are expected to return. In Latin America, it’s mostly on ESPN Latin America and Star+.

European Club Competitions: Champions League, Europa League

The UEFA Champions League is the crown jewel of club football. In 2026, Paramount+ has the exclusive U.S. rights. Every single match-group stage, knockout rounds, the final-is available live. No cable, no satellite, no regional restrictions. Just sign up, pick your team, and watch.

The Europa League and Europa Conference League are also on Paramount+, with all matches included. If you’re a fan of teams like Ajax, Sevilla, or Feyenoord, you won’t need another service.

In the U.K., the Champions League is split between ITV and DAZN. ITV shows one match per round for free, while DAZN carries the rest. This means if you want to watch all the big games, you’ll need both.

Streaming vs. Cable: What’s Worth It?

Here’s the reality: cable TV is fading fast. In 2026, over 68% of football viewers in the U.S. watch games through streaming services. That number was 34% in 2021. The shift happened because:

• You can pause, rewind, and watch on any device.
• No long-term contracts.
• Most services offer free trials (usually 7 days).
• You only pay for what you watch.

For example, if you only care about the Premier League and MLS, you can get both for under $25/month: $15 for Apple TV+ and $10 for Amazon Prime Video. That’s cheaper than a single cable sports package.

But if you want to watch local games on your regional sports network (like Bally Sports or MSG), you’re stuck with a live TV streaming service like Sling TV or FuboTV. Those cost $40-$70/month and still might not carry every game you want.

How to Find Your Team’s Next Game

Instead of guessing, use these tools:

1. Check your team’s official website. Most clubs list broadcast info under "Watch" or "Media".
2. Use Google Search. Type: "[Team Name] vs [Opponent] broadcast channel". Google pulls real-time data from league schedules.
3. Use the ESPN app or OneFootball app. Both show live schedules, channels, and streaming links by country.
4. Set a calendar reminder. Most streaming services send push notifications when your team is playing.

For example, if you’re trying to find when Manchester City plays Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, just search "Man City vs Real Madrid channel 2026". The answer will appear in the top result with the exact date, time, and platform.

What About Free Options?

Yes, there are still free ways to watch football-but they’re limited. In the U.S., ABC and CBS air select international matches for free, like the World Cup final or a big U.S. national team game. In the U.K., ITV and Channel 4 broadcast a few matches per season for free.

YouTube has some lower-tier leagues, like the Dutch Eredivisie or Belgian Pro League, but only highlights or delayed replays. Live streams on unofficial sites are risky: they’re often illegal, full of ads, and get shut down mid-match.

International Viewers: What’s Available in Your Country?

Outside the U.S. and U.K., the options vary wildly:

• In Canada: DAZN carries Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, and MLS.
• In Australia: Optus Sport has the Premier League and Champions League.
• In Brazil: ESPN Brasil and Star+ cover most European leagues.
• In India: Sony Sports and Disney+ Hotstar split the Premier League and UEFA competitions.

If you’re traveling or living abroad, check your local TV provider’s sports package. Many countries have one or two dominant platforms that carry nearly all major leagues.

What If You Miss a Game?

Don’t panic. Every major service offers replays:

• Apple TV+ and Paramount+ let you rewind and watch full matches for 30 days.
• ESPN+ and DAZN have condensed 10-minute highlights.
• YouTube channels like UEFA, Premier League, and MLS post full match highlights within 2 hours.

Many fans use the highlights to catch up before watching the full replay later. It’s a smart way to stay in the loop without spending hours in front of the screen.

Final Tip: Set Up a Watchlist

Instead of checking every day, create a simple watchlist. Write down:

• Your favorite team’s next 3 matches
• The channel or app for each
• The start time in your time zone

Put it on your phone’s notes app or print it out. That way, when game day comes, you’re not scrambling. You already know where to turn.