Sky Sports Increases U.S. Based Production and Broadcast Presence with an Updated On-Screen Talent Roster for the New Season
5’s Coverage Rebranded as ‘NFL On 5,’ with the 9pm Primetime Game Now at the Heart of the Free-to-Air Package
Virgin Media Television More Than Doubles Its Free-to-Air Coverage in Ireland to at Least 22 Games Per Season
The National Football League has confirmed the details of its refreshed broadcast coverage across the United Kingdom & Ireland for the 2026 NFL season, with updates across its free-to-air and pay-TV broadcast partners set to bring fans more access to the game they love.
Sky Sports continues to deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the NFL in the U.K. and Ireland, broadcasting more than half of all NFL games live throughout the season across Sky Sports channels – including Sunday double-headers, primetime matchups, NFL Redzone, Thanksgiving Day, the Playoffs and Super Bowl LXI.
For the 2026 season, Sky Sports is increasing its on-the-ground production and broadcast presence in the United States, bringing fans closer to the live action from across the league with enhanced reporting, storytelling and coverage from the home of American football. Neil Reynolds, Phoebe Schecter and Jason Bell headline the regular Sunday presenting roster, while Bridget Condon and Ndamukong Suh front Sky Sports’ live broadcast output from the U.S.
On free-to-air television, 5 has rebranded its flagship NFL show for the 2026 season with NFL Big Game Night making way for NFL On 5, a refreshed format that places the 9pm primetime Sunday fixture firmly at its heart. The program will bring audiences closer to the biggest matchups in the NFL calendar, through expert analysis and celebrity guests.
Every Sunday throughout the regular season, two live games will be broadcast free-to-air across 5’s platforms. The first game kicks off at 6pm on 5Action, hosted by Osi Umenyiora and Sam Quek. The headline fixture follows from 9pm on 5, with NFL On 5 centred around that primetime game. Dermot O’Leary joins Osi Umenyiora and Sam Quek to front the 9pm show.
In Ireland, Virgin Media Television will broadcast at least 22 games per season across its free-to-air channels and Virgin Media PLAY under a new three-season agreement through 2028 — more than double its 2025 output — including 18 Sunday 9pm games, three playoff games and the Super Bowl.
NFL Game Pass on DAZN remains the only place internationally to watch every NFL game live* throughout the season, including the Playoffs and Super Bowl LXI, with the flexibility to watch live or on demand across compatible devices. Fans can also enjoy the original U.S. commentary, NFL RedZone, NFL Network, full-game replays, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, highlights, original programming and more.
For the 2026 season, NFL Game Pass is also expanding local-language coverage, with every game available in French, more than 75% of games available with German commentary, and every game continuing to be available in Spanish and Portuguese. Season Pro Ultimate subscribers can also unlock premium features including Multiview, HDR on select games, and Dolby surround sound on compatible devices.
*Some blackout restrictions apply in the United Kingdom and Ireland. See DAZN.com for details.
All six of the 2026 international games taking place in Europe, including the three games in the U.K., will be shown live across 5, Sky Sports and NFL Game Pass on DAZN, ensuring fans can experience the action from London, Paris, Madrid and Munich.
The NFL U.K. and Ireland YouTube channel will host The Breakdown with Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora every Monday, bringing fans all the highlights and analysis from the weekend’s games. The Weekly Blitz, with Ellie Collins and Hugh Coles, also returns to the platform, giving fans 20 minutes of the biggest moments from the weekend’s action every Tuesday.