The Premier League is pretty much here, and Sky Sports has announced some major changes to its coverage. The 2025/26 season begins on Friday (August 15) with Liverpool starting their title defense at a home game against Bournemouth.
Also scheduled for the opening weekend are Wolves vs Man City, Chelsea vs Crystal Palace and Man United vs Arsenal. Ahead of the new campaign, Sky confirmed that it will air “record-breaking” live games as coverage increases from 128 to at least 215 live games.
According to Sky, this represents 80% of all Premier League matches aired, including all evacuated Sunday kickoffs at 2pm, which are said to be “first for a British broadcaster.” To adjust to all of these fixtures along with over 1,000 live games across EFL, SPFL, WSL and Bundesliga, soccer fans will need a Sky Sports subscription of £20 per month for new customers, worth around 66p per day.
To sweeten the deal, Sky has confirmed it is a home of all final day Premier League fixtures, along with the most festive fixtures of the season, including the return of Boxing Day Action to Sky. There are several new additions to the Sky Sports schedule, including “Supersized Super Sundays,” with up to four matches being shown on the weekends, following a European afternoon.
Sky has also launched a new “Multiview” program, offering dynamic live coverage from all games at once, providing dedicated commentary and analysis on Sky TV and the Sky Sports app. The main Sky Sports coverage is Mark Chapman’s match that will be participating in the existing Premier League, featuring David Jones and Kelly Cates lineups.
They will be offering insights and opinions throughout the season with Gary Neville, Jamie Carrager, Roy Keene, Daniel Sturridge, Izzy Christiansen, Mika Richards and Jamie Redknap alongside Sky’s Pandit team. Former Liverpool defender Carragher also hosts Sky’s “extra time” analysis and reaction show, delving fans deep into key moments in the game on major Sundays with multiple fixtures.
Of the changes, Sky’s Chief Sports Officer Jonathan Licht said: “This is a groundbreaking season of Sky Sports and the Premier League, and for the first time we will lead fans to 215 live matches, including a kickoff at every 2pm on Super Sunday.
“We’re introducing new innovations like Multiview, Super Sunday: Extra Time, and new programs like Sky Sports News’ new look schedule. From the moment the season begins, fans stay on the biggest storyline of all, making sure they don’t miss the moment of action.”
Sky’s Premier League coverage is available with a Sky Sports subscription, but customers without an existing Sky package can opt for the flagship Essential TV and Sky Sports Bundle for £35 a month. However, this is not the only way to enjoy a new season. Because Virgin Media also offers Sky Sports Access, with its own TV package.
Virgin will be in the middle of a rival summer sports sale, with prices reduced across the Sky Sports package until September 2nd. These start with a larger combo bundle + Sport, including 8 or more TV channels from Sky Sports and 516Mbps textile broadband.
However, the downside of both Sky and Virgin plans is that customers face at least two invoice increases over a 24-month period, as each provider plans to raise prices in April each year. This year, Sky has increased 6.2% to TV customers, but has yet to see their chances for next year.
Virgin already confirmed that the larger combo bundle + Sport will rise to £58.49 from April 2026 and £61.99 from April 2027. What distinguishes Sky from its rival is not what Virgin offers, but the opportunity to cancel the contract after a price increase is announced.
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