The ‘paywall’ behind Premier League matches could be lifted if MPs vote on an amendment to the Football Governance Bill. The move would mean that at least ten games a season would have to be broadcast on free TV channels including the BBC or ITV. The League Cup Final as well as the playoff finals for the Championship, League One, and League Two would also be available to watch.
The 2025-26 season will air under a new TV rights deal between the Premier League, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports via a subscription. As a result, anyone wanting to watch every game would need to pay £660 annually to get past the paywall.
Rising subscription fees are blamed for the fall in viewers for these channels. Sky Sports saw its viewership for the Premier League fall by 10% while TNT lost 17%. On the other hand, in Spain, La Liga, its top league, offers one game free every week through the streaming service DAZN.
The amendment to the Bill was introduced by the Liberal Democrats who suggested that the model could be replicated here. The party committed to making football more accessible to fans in its 2024 election manifesto.
“I’m urging MPs of all stripes to back our amendment to tear down the paywall and make Premier League games available on free to air channels,” Max Wilkinson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport said. “For too long, the jewel in the crown of British football has been locked behind an expensive barrier that keeps fans out while lining the pockets of broadcasters. Fans are being rinsed of every last penny to watch the beautiful game, while the next generation of Bellinghams and Bronzes are priced out of the chance to see football played at the very top level. That must end today, with a free to air revolution that gives the Premier League back to the country.”
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