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The 2025/26 NFL season is officially underway. It all began on Friday night when the Philadelphia Eagles outlasted the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener, broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
The excitement carried into Saturday, when fans around the globe witnessed history: the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil, in what marked the league’s first-ever international season opener. For those who couldn’t make the trip, YouTube provided a rare opportunity to stream the game live.
Now, attention turns to Sunday, with a full slate of 12 football games on tap. And in the UK, fans have even more reason to celebrate thanks to a breakthrough television deal that makes following the NFL easier and cheaper than ever.
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NFL Comes to Free-to-Air TV in the UK
Channel 5, in partnership with Paramount UK and CBS Sports, has secured a multi-year deal to bring live NFL action to free-to-air television. For the first time, fans won’t need expensive sports packages to follow the action.
Here’s what the new arrangement includes:
- Two Sunday evening games every week
- 6:00 pm game on Channel 5
- 9:00pm game on 5ACTION (rebranded as 5NFL for game nights)
- Both games will also be streamed live
In summary, to watch, simply tune in to Channel 5 at 6:00 pm every Sunday for the first game, and switch over to 5ACTION (5NFL on game nights) at 9:00 pm for the second matchup. Both games will also be available to stream live.
Other major events that will also be broadcast include:
- The Super Bowl
- NFL London and Dublin international games
- Thanksgiving Day specials
- Three playoff games
This deal ensures that NFL coverage is more accessible and also packaged in a way that appeals to both hardcore fans and casual viewers.
Another peculiar thing about this deal is its unique mix of live sport and entertainment. Channel 5 is introducing NFL: Big Game Night, a “game within a game” show hosted by Dermot O’Leary, alongside Sam Quek and two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora.
Whenever the NFL game pauses in the U.S., the show keeps going, with families in the UK competing in fast-paced challenges tied to the game on the field. The winning family team on the night even gets the chance to play for a holiday to an NFL city in the United States.
At 9 pm, coverage shifts to 5NFL, where Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora will lead in-depth football discussion, analysis, and commentary. Special guests will also join them weekly to break down the action and provide insights for fans who want more than just the highlights.
Wider NFL Content Across Paramount Brands
The partnership also extends beyond game broadcasts. Paramount’s family of networks will provide additional NFL-themed programming, including the return of Slimetime UK on Nickelodeon in 2026, a family-friendly take on the sport that’s already become popular with younger audiences.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What channel is showing the NFL for free in the UK?
Channel 5 will broadcast the NFL’s 6:00 pm Sunday game each week, while the 9:00 pm matchup will air on 5ACTION, which will be rebranded as 5NFL on game nights. Both games will also be available to stream live.
2. Will the Super Bowl be shown free-to-air in the UK?
Yes. As part of the new deal, the Super Bowl will be broadcast live and free-to-air on Channel 5.
3. What other NFL events are included in the deal?
In addition to weekly Sunday games and the Super Bowl, UK fans can watch the NFL London and Dublin Games, Thanksgiving Day specials, and three playoff games on free-to-air TV.
4. What is NFL: Big Game Night?
It’s a new entertainment format hosted by Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek, and Osi Umenyiora. Families in the UK compete in fun challenges that run alongside the live 6:00 pm NFL game, creating a “game within a game” to bring more viewers into the NFL experience.
