The 2026/27 Premier League is underway with Arsenal defending their title and Hull City delivering a shock 2-0 win against Manchester United. Three promoted teams secured opening day points, but sadly, UK fans missed much of the action due to the 3pm blackout.
Opening Weekend Shockers and Blackouts
The unprecedented 22-team expansion of the Premier League began with a bang. Defending champions Arsenal started strong with a 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night. However, Saturday brought the real drama as Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 in the early kick-off.
Despite the thrilling return of promoted sides like Leeds United and Sunderland, many UK fans were left frustrated. Three critical matches today were entirely blacked out at 3pm, leaving supporters unable to watch them on Sky Sports or TNT Sports. While you can catch free highlights on BBC Match of the Day on Saturday nights, watching the games live requires an alternative solution.
Matchweek 1 Results and Schedule
Here are the confirmed results and upcoming fixtures for Matchweek 1:
| Match | Date & Time | Result / Status | UK Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Coventry City | Fri 21 Aug, 8:00pm | Arsenal 3-0 Coventry | Sky Sports |
| Hull City vs Manchester United | Sat 22 Aug, 12:30pm | Hull City 2-0 Man Utd | TNT Sports |
| Everton vs Crystal Palace | Sat 22 Aug, 3:00pm | Everton 2-0 Crystal Palace | Blacked Out (None) |
| Ipswich Town vs Sunderland | Sat 22 Aug, 3:00pm | Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland | Blacked Out (None) |
| Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United | Sat 22 Aug, 3:00pm | Forest 0-1 Leeds Utd | Blacked Out (None) |
| Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur | Sat 22 Aug, 5:30pm | Upcoming | Sky Sports |
| Brighton vs Aston Villa | Sun 23 Aug, 2:00pm | Upcoming | Sky Sports |
| Manchester City vs Bournemouth | Sun 23 Aug, 4:30pm | Upcoming | Sky Sports |
| Newcastle United vs Liverpool | Sun 23 Aug, 4:30pm | Upcoming | Sky Sports |
| Fulham vs Chelsea | Mon 24 Aug, 8:00pm | Upcoming | Sky Sports |
The £83 per month Problem
Football fans in the UK are currently paying up to £82.98 per month for official packages to watch the Premier League. Even at this premium price point, they only get access to roughly 200 matches. The 3pm Saturday blackout rule prevents live TV broadcasts between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.
This means you miss out on seeing your team play when they are scheduled for the traditional 3pm slot. A Smart Live TV subscription provides access to all 380 matches via international feeds, meaning no blackouts.
Cost Comparison
| Service | Monthly Cost | 3pm Games Included | Matches Shown | Extra Subscriptions Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official UK Packages | £97 (Sky, TNT, Netflix, Disney) | No | ~200 | Yes |
| Smart Live TV | £12 (Starter plan) | Yes | All 380 | None |
You can learn more about how to watch the Premier League without restrictions and review our full pricing plans which include Starter for £12/mo, Popular for £24/3mo, Standard for £36/6mo, and Ultimate for £54/12mo. If you use a Fire TV device, read our Firestick setup guide to see how easy it is to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are 3pm Premier League games not on TV in the UK?
The traditional 3pm blackout rule prevents live UK football broadcasts between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays. This was originally designed to protect stadium attendances across the leagues.
2. Can I watch 3pm blackout matches legally?
UK broadcasters cannot show 3pm matches. However, international broadcasters hold the rights to show these matches in other countries. Smart Live TV provides access to these international feeds.
3. Are there free alternatives to watch the Premier League?
You cannot watch live Premier League matches for free legally in the UK. However, BBC Match of the Day provides free highlights on Saturday nights. Major international tournaments like the World Cup and Euros are also free on BBC and ITV.
4. What is the cheapest way to watch every Premier League match?
The cheapest way to watch every match without blackout restrictions is through an IPTV provider. Smart Live TV offers all games, plus TNT Sports, Sky Sports, and on-demand content starting from £12 per month.
5. Can I test the service before subscribing?
Yes, we offer a 24-hour free trial with no credit card required. Due to high demand and supplier limits, we only offer a maximum of 10 free trials per day.