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Football Matches Today on TV – Live UK Schedule & Channels

James Harry Clarke Cooper • 2026-05-09 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Saturday brings a limited but intriguing slate of live football to UK screens. With two Premier League fixtures, a Scottish Premiership clash, and a potential Championship play-off semi-final, viewers have a few options to tune in. The action is split between TNT Sports and Sky Sports, with no free-to-air coverage confirmed for the day.

Broadcast schedules are generally finalised two weeks in advance, but late changes due to weather or cup replays can occur. Checking official club or league channels before kick-off is always wise.

What Football Matches Are on TV Today? (Full Schedule)

Total live matches today: At least 3 confirmed matches across Premier League, Scottish Premiership, and playoffs.

Premier League games: 2 – Liverpool vs Chelsea and Manchester City vs Brentford.

Championship / EFL games: 1 potential play-off semi-final first leg (details TBC).

European competitions: None scheduled today (no UCL, UEL, or ECL matches).

Key Insights for Today

  • Saturday is typically the busiest day of the week for live football, but today has fewer games than usual due to the season’s run-in.
  • Free-to-air football is absent today; BBC and ITV are not broadcasting any matches.
  • Sky Sports and TNT Sports together cover the vast majority of live UK football – approximately 95% of all televised games.
  • All confirmed matches today require a subscription: Sky Sports (via NOW TV or Sky package) or TNT Sports (via discovery+ Premium or HBO Max).
  • No women’s football or international matches are on TV today according to published schedules.
  • Viewers should double-check kick-off times on the day, as broadcasters occasionally adjust slots.
Kick-off (UK) Home Team Away Team Competition Channel Subscription Required
12:30 Liverpool Chelsea Premier League TNT Sports 1 / Ultimate / HBO Max Yes
17:30 Manchester City Brentford Premier League Sky Sports Main Event / PL / Ultra HDR / Sky Sports+ Yes
20:00 Motherwell Hearts Scottish Premiership Sky Sports Main Event / Football Yes
TBC TBC TBC Championship Play-off Semi-Final (1st leg) Sky Sports (details TBC) Yes

What Time Is Football on Today in the UK? (Kick-Off Times)

Sky Sports Schedule for Football Today

Sky Sports broadcast two games today: the evening Premier League match and the Scottish Premiership. The schedule on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League is as follows:

  • 17:30 – Manchester City vs Brentford (Sky Sports Main Event, PL, Ultra HDR, Sky Sports+)
  • 20:00 – Motherwell vs Hearts (Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football)
  • TBC – Championship play-off semi-final (Sky Sports Main Event or Football)

Sky Sports+ streams select matches and is included in the standard subscription. Ultra HDR is available to viewers with compatible equipment on the dedicated Sky Sports Ultra HDR channel.

Late Changes Possible

Although schedules are typically set weeks in advance, kick-off times can shift due to TV picks or cup rearrangements. Check Sky Sports Football Fixtures for live updates.

TNT Sports Schedule for Football Today

TNT Sports has the early afternoon Premier League fixture. It airs on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, and is also available via the streaming service HBO Max (in the UK).

  • 12:30 – Liverpool vs Chelsea (TNT Sports 1, Ultimate, HBO Max)

TNT Sports Football Schedule provides the full calendar of upcoming games, including Champions League and Europa League fixtures later in the week.

What Channels Are Showing Live Football Today? (Sky, TNT, BBC, ITV)

Sky Sports: Dominant Broadcaster

Sky Sports transmits more live football than any other UK broadcaster – over 1,400 games per season across the Premier League, EFL, Women’s Super League, Scottish Premiership, and more. Today they cover the late Premier League match and the Scottish Premiership. Viewers can access Sky Sports via a traditional satellite subscription, Sky Sports+, or streaming through NOW TV.

TNT Sports: Early Kick-Off and European Coverage

TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) holds the rights to approximately 52 Premier League games per season, along with exclusive coverage of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Their match today is Liverpool vs Chelsea at 12:30. The channel is available through pay-TV packages and via the discovery+ Premium streaming service.

BBC and ITV: No Free-to-Air Football Today

Neither BBC nor ITV are broadcasting any live football this Saturday. Both channels typically show free-to-air matches during FA Cup weekends, England internationals, and selected Women’s Super League games. These are likely to appear later in the weekend – for example, the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals on Channel 4 and TNT Sports on Sunday.

For a full list of free-to-air fixtures across the season, the BBC Sport Football Fixtures page is a reliable source, though it only lists games on BBC channels and not pay-TV.

Subscription Needed for Most Games

All matches today require a paid subscription. No free-to-air football is scheduled. If you are looking for cost-free options, Sunday may offer Women’s FA Cup matches on Channel 4.

Where Can I Find Live Scores for Today’s Football Matches?

If you are unable to watch, following live scores is easy through several trusted platforms. The Premier League Broadcast Schedule provides official links to live-score pages for each match, along with line-ups and stats. BBC Sport also offers a highly reliable live-score tracker (though it only covers events it broadcasts or reports on).

Other popular options include the official club websites and league-specific apps (such as the Premier League app or EFL iFollow). Many fans also use social media channels of broadcasters and clubs for real-time updates.

Use Official Sources for Accuracy

Third-party score apps can lag or show inaccurate information. For the most reliable live data, stick to official sources like the Premier League, EFL, or BBC Sport.

What Live Football Is on TV Right Now? (Timeline of Today’s Matches)

  1. – Liverpool vs Chelsea (Premier League) – TNT Sports 1 / Ultimate / HBO Max
  2. – Manchester City vs Brentford (Premier League) – Sky Sports Main Event / PL / Ultra HDR / Sky Sports+
  3. – Motherwell vs Hearts (Scottish Premiership) – Sky Sports Main Event / Football
  4. – Championship Play-off Semi-Final First Leg – Sky Sports (details pending)

How Certain Are Today’s Football Schedules?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Most fixtures on Sky Sports and TNT Sports are fixed at least two weeks in advance. Late broadcast changes (e.g., postponed games) are possible. Check club or league social media for real-time updates.
Kick-off times for the two Premier League matches are confirmed. The exact time and channel for the Championship play-off semi-final have not been announced.
No free-to-air coverage today – BBC and ITV schedules show no football. La Liga matches (e.g., Barcelona vs Celta Vigo) were mentioned in one source but not corroborated for UK TV.

What Is the Big Match Today and Why Does It Matter?

Today’s standout fixture is the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea at 12:30. Both clubs are vying for European qualification positions, making the outcome significant in the final weeks of the season. The second Premier League game, Manchester City vs Brentford at 17:30, also carries implications for the title race and relegation battle respectively. No official editorial commentary is provided by researchers, but the schedules indicate these matches are the day’s main attractions.

Where Can I Verify Today’s Football TV Schedule?

For the most accurate and up‑to‑date information, consult the official broadcasters and league authorities. The following sources are recommended:

Summary: Football on TV Today in the UK

Saturday, May 9, 2026 offers a compact football menu: two Premier League games on TNT Sports and Sky Sports, a Scottish Premiership match on Sky Sports, and a possible Championship play-off semi‑final. No free‑to‑air options are available. For a similar look at Sunday’s games, visit Football on TV Today in the UK to see the full weekend schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the first football match on TV today?

Early kick-off is at 12:30 BST – Liverpool vs Chelsea on TNT Sports 1.

Can I watch football on TV today without a subscription?

No, all confirmed matches today require a Sky or TNT subscription. Free-to-air coverage returns Sunday with Women’s FA Cup semis on Channel 4.

Is there football on TV every day?

Yes, typically there are games every day of the week, though Sunday and Wednesday are often lighter. Today has four matches.

Is there any football on BBC or ITV today?

Neither BBC nor ITV are broadcasting football today. They focus on FA Cup and Women’s games later in the weekend.

How can I watch the Championship play-off semi-final?

It will be shown on Sky Sports once the fixture details are confirmed. Check EFL Upcoming TV Games for updates.

What time does the last match start today?

The latest confirmed kick-off is 20:00 BST – Motherwell vs Hearts on Sky Sports. A potential play-off may also air later.

Are there any women’s football matches on TV today?

No women’s matches are scheduled for today. The Women’s FA Cup semi-finals are on Sunday, May 10 on Channel 4 and TNT Sports.

Can I stream matches online?

Yes. Sky Sports matches can be streamed via NOW TV or Sky Sports+. TNT Sports matches are available through discovery+ Premium or HBO Max.


James Harry Clarke Cooper

About the author

James Harry Clarke Cooper

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.