Do you need a licence for live football?
Yes, you need TV Licence coverage to watch or record football live on any TV channel or streaming service. That includes a match on your phone, tablet or laptop. Your sports subscription and TV Licence cover different things, so you still need licence coverage even if you pay for sports channels. Source: TV Licensing’s live TV guidance.
| How you watch | Licence needed? |
|---|---|
| Live football on Sky, TNT, ITV or another channel | Yes |
| A live match streamed online | Yes |
| Recording a broadcast to watch later | Yes |
| Football on BBC iPlayer, live or on demand | Yes |
| Only on-demand highlights on services other than BBC iPlayer | No, provided you do not also watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer |
Source: TV Licensing’s rules for live TV and on-demand viewing.
What counts as live TV?
Watching a programme as a channel broadcasts it counts as live TV, even when the programme itself is a repeat. You also need licence coverage if you record the broadcast or watch it on a delay. Check the official definition.
Before kick-off
Before you settle down to watch, you can check that your address has valid licence coverage and that your subscription includes the match. If you live in shared accommodation or watch away from home, TV Licensing’s guidance can help you work out which licence covers you.
Our TV rights guide can help you find the broadcaster, while the fixture listings give you the details for your match.