Watching the NFL From the UK in 2026/27
The short answer
The NFL season runs from September to the Super Bowl in February. UK coverage is split between Sky Sports, ITV for selected free-to-air games, and NFL Game Pass. Sunday's main slate starts at 6pm UK, with RedZone jumping between every game live — the single most useful channel for a UK viewer.
American football has a substantial and growing UK audience, helped by the London games and by kick-off times that are actually convenient — Sunday evening is a far better slot for British viewers than most overseas sport manages.
Here is how the coverage works and what is worth paying for.
Key takeaways
- Sunday games start at 6pm and 9:25pm UK, with a late game at 1:20am
- RedZone is the best way to follow the whole slate rather than one game
- ITV carries selected games free-to-air, including some London fixtures
- The Super Bowl is in February and starts around 11:30pm UK
- Time zones are the real barrier, not availability
UK kick-off times
Sunday evening at 6pm is the sweet spot — several games kicking off at once at a perfectly reasonable British hour. The late-night slots are where catch-up earns its keep.
| Slot | UK time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday early | 6:00pm | The main slate, several games at once |
| Sunday late | 9:25pm | Usually the marquee afternoon game |
| Sunday Night Football | 1:20am | The showcase game, awkward hour |
| Monday Night Football | 1:15am | Tuesday morning in practice |
| Thursday Night Football | 1:15am | Weekly from September |
| London games | 2:30pm or 6:30pm | Genuinely convenient |
What RedZone actually is
NFL RedZone is a single channel that cuts between every game in progress, jumping to whichever is about to score. During the 6pm Sunday window, when several games run simultaneously, it shows you every touchdown live without adverts.
For a UK viewer without a lifelong team allegiance, RedZone is a better product than any individual game broadcast. It is also the thing most often missing from cheaper packages.
If you only care about one channel for the NFL, make it RedZone. Check it works during your trial specifically.
The London games
The NFL plays regular-season fixtures in London each autumn, typically at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley. These kick off at 2:30pm or 6:30pm UK and are usually the best-covered games of the season for British audiences, often free-to-air.
They are also the easiest entry point if you are new to the sport — a normal Sunday afternoon rather than a 1am commitment.
The Super Bowl
The Super Bowl falls in early February and kicks off around 11:30pm UK, running past 3am. It is typically available free-to-air in Britain alongside the pay coverage, and the American broadcast — adverts and halftime show included — is the version most people actually want.
International feeds carry the US broadcast, which is the difference between watching the game and watching the whole event.
Frequently asked
Which UK channel shows the NFL?
Can I get NFL RedZone in the UK?
What time is the Super Bowl in the UK?
Are the London games easier to watch?
Broadcast rights, fixtures and prices change. This page was last checked on 10 August 2026 — tell us on WhatsApp if you spot something out of date and we will correct it.