What Sky Sports subscription is and who offers it

Sky Sports is a pay-TV service run by Sky, a British media company. It shows live sports events — primarily football, cricket, rugby, golf, and tennis — along with analysis and highlights. You can watch through a traditional TV package or through Now TV, which is Sky's streaming option that does not require a long-term contract.

Sky operates in the United Kingdom and Ireland. If you live outside these countries, Sky Sports content may not be available to you, and attempting to access it through a VPN or other workaround violates Sky's terms of service.

Sky offers two main routes: a full Sky TV package bundled with broadband and phone, or Now TV, which sells sports passes separately without requiring you to commit to other services.

Key Takeaways

  • Sky Sports costs vary depending on whether you choose a full Sky TV package or Now TV's month-to-month sports pass.
  • Now TV sports passes renew automatically each month unless you cancel, and you can pause or resume them without penalty.
  • Sky TV packages lock you into a contract, usually 18 or 24 months, and include other channels alongside Sky Sports.
  • You need a compatible device — a Sky box, a smart TV, a phone, or a tablet — to watch, and streaming quality depends on your broadband speed.
  • Sky Sports shows live events on a schedule; you cannot watch every match from every league, only those Sky has bought the rights to broadcast.

Now TV sports passes: month-to-month streaming

Now TV is the simpler route if you want to watch Sky Sports without a long contract. You buy a sports pass that lasts 30 days and renews automatically on the same date each month. The pass costs a set amount per month; the exact price changes periodically, so check the Now TV website for the current rate.

You can pause your pass for up to three months without losing it, then resume when you want to watch again. If you cancel, you stop paying immediately and lose access when the current pass expires. There is no early termination fee.

To watch, you need a compatible device: a smart TV with the Now TV app, a phone or tablet running iOS or Android, a computer, or a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick. You stream over the internet, so your broadband speed matters — Sky recommends at least 2.5 Mbps for standard definition and 5 Mbps for HD.

Sky TV packages: bundled TV, broadband, and phone

If you want Sky Sports as part of a full TV package, you sign up for a Sky TV contract that includes broadband and phone service. Sky Sports is not sold separately in this bundle — you buy a package tier, and Sky Sports comes with certain tiers. The contract runs for 18 or 24 months, depending on the deal you choose.

The total cost covers TV channels, broadband speed, phone line rental, and call charges. Sky Sports is one of many channels included; you also get Sky's other entertainment, news, and movie channels. The monthly price is fixed for the contract period, though it may rise after the contract ends.

You watch through a Sky box connected to your TV. The box records programmes, lets you pause and rewind live TV, and accesses on-demand content. You can also stream to other devices in your home using the Sky Go app, though this requires a compatible device and your home broadband connection.

What sports and events Sky Sports actually shows

Sky Sports does not show every match or every league. Sky buys broadcasting rights for specific competitions and specific seasons. The main sports are the Premier League (English football), the EFL Championship (second-tier English football), international cricket, Six Nations rugby, Premiership rugby, PGA Tour golf, and Grand Slam tennis.

Not every match in these competitions is on Sky. For example, Sky shows a selection of Premier League matches each week, but not all of them — some go to other broadcasters like BT Sport or Amazon Prime Video. The schedule changes year to year as Sky renews or loses rights.

You can check what is on this week by visiting the Sky Sports website or the Now TV app. Both show a full schedule of upcoming events. If a specific match or league is not listed, Sky does not have the rights to show it.

Cancelling Now TV or switching away from Sky TV

Cancelling a Now TV sports pass takes seconds. Log into your Now TV account, find the pass, and select cancel. Your access ends when the current 30-day period expires, and you are not charged again.

Cancelling a Sky TV contract is more complex. You must give notice during your contract period, usually 30 days before you want to leave. If you cancel before the contract ends, Sky charges an early termination fee, which is the remaining monthly payments for the rest of the contract term. Once the contract expires, you can cancel with 30 days' notice and no penalty.

If you move house, you can transfer your Sky TV contract to your new address, or you may be able to cancel without penalty if Sky cannot provide service there. Contact Sky to discuss your options.

Broadband speed and streaming quality

Now TV streams over your home broadband. The quality you see depends on your connection speed and the device you use. Sky recommends a minimum of 2.5 Mbps for standard definition (SD) and 5 Mbps for high definition (HD). If your broadband is slower, the stream may buffer or drop to lower quality automatically.

If you have a full Sky TV package, you receive broadband as part of the contract. Sky offers different speed tiers — typically standard (around 36 Mbps), superfast (around 63 Mbps), and ultrafast (around 145 Mbps). The faster your package, the more you pay, but faster speeds also mean more stable streaming and better performance if multiple people use the connection at once.

You can check your current broadband speed using a free online speed test. If you are consistently below Sky's recommended minimum, contact your broadband provider to discuss upgrading or troubleshooting the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Sky Sports outside the UK or Ireland?

Sky Sports is licensed for broadcast only in the UK and Ireland. If you are outside these countries, the service will not work. Using a VPN to access it violates Sky's terms of service and may result in your account being suspended or closed.

Do I need a Sky box to watch Now TV sports?

No. Now TV is a streaming service that works on smart TVs, phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Fire Stick. You do not need a Sky box. You only need a compatible device and a broadband connection.

What happens if I pause my Now TV sports pass?

Your pass stops renewing and you stop being charged. You can pause for up to three months. When you are ready to watch again, you resume the pass and it renews on the same date each month. There is no fee to pause or resume.

Can I cancel Sky TV before my contract ends?

Yes, but you will pay an early termination fee equal to the remaining monthly payments for the rest of your contract. For example, if you have 12 months left and your monthly charge is £50, the fee is £600. Once your contract expires, you can cancel with 30 days' notice and no penalty.

Will my Sky Sports package price go up after my contract ends?

Possibly. During your contract, the price is fixed. Once the contract ends, Sky may offer you a new deal at a different price, or your account may move to a standard rate that is higher. You will receive notice before any price change takes effect, and you can cancel if you do not accept the new terms.