- On
- 13 May 2025
- Reading time
- 5 minutes
Sports have always been one of the biggest day-to-day attractions throughout the last century. It didn’t matter if it was football, basketball, cricket or any other discipline, sports have become an essential part of life for many people.
With the rise of technology, online sports services and streaming platforms have become some of the most popular and convenient ways to watch sports. Sports fans no longer had to depend on cable TV or pay-per-view to watch their teams or favorite players; they could access everything at a fixed monthly price.
With rising costs and fewer opportunities to watch live sports in person, many fans have had to give up attending events. Thankfully, online streaming services have stepped in, making it easier for football, rugby, cricket, and other sports fans to watch their favorite teams play from home.
However, the increasing number of streaming platforms available can make choosing the right service feel overwhelming. In this article, we’ll explore the top online streaming services in the UK for 2025, breaking down their features to help you find the perfect platform for watching live sports from the comfort of your home.
Sky Sports
Sky Sports has been a major player in online streaming in the UK, known for its broad coverage of various sports, including football, cricket, rugby, and Formula 1. Its reputation is built on offering a wide range of sports content that appeals to diverse fanbases.
The platform provides access to some of the UK’s most watched events, including the English Premier League, not only with live coverage of their matches but also with an extensive set of programs and shows for all ages, making sports closer to the fans.
However, Sky Sports’ price could drive many individuals off, as, since different Sky streaming services exist, the price could mount up to a very high fee, especially if users don’t have a free trial. Not to mention that, in most cases, Sky requires individuals to purchase a long-term subscription.
BT Sport
Sky Sports is generally considered the leading platform in the UK, but BT Sport is a strong competitor. BT Sport offers solid coverage of various sports, including football and MMA, making it a notable alternative for sports fans.
Although BT Sport doesn’t have as many sports as Sky does, it has more extensive coverage, broadcasting European competitions such as the Champions League or the Europa League, true value for die-hard football fans who like to enjoy football from any part of the world.
Still, BT Sports is limited to the UK only, which, alongside their limited coverage of sports like tennis, rugby or cricket, could be decisive to not subscribe to the platform.
DAZN
One of the newest streaming companies in the market, DAZN has quickly established itself at the top of worldwide sports broadcasting thanks to its lower cost and its all-access subscription model.
Although worldwide DAZN has very extensive coverage depending on the country, DAZN in the UK specializes in combat sports, being the home for some of the biggest events in both Boxing and MMA.
But not everything is as good as it may seem, as the growing prices alongside the limited content on Mainstream Sports, especially in the UK, are enough to throw many individuals off.
Amazon Prime Video
Arguably one of the most surprising entries to this list, Amazon Prime Video is slowly making its way to the top of Sports Broadcasting thanks to its cheap price and its compatibility with a regular Amazon Prime membership.
Although at first Amazon Prime Video was just a simple online broadcasting service, it’s slowly transitioning to sports broadcasting, with the site having the rights to a certain amount or Premier League matches and the rights for the NFL or the French Ligue 1 in the UK.
Although Amazon Prime Video could be a great option in terms of price, it has very little sports to offer, which could be a big downside.
Eurosport
Probably one of the oldest streaming services on this list, Eurosport is know for giving a voice to “minor” sports. If you’re into cycling, tennis, winter sports or other less-known disciplines, Eurosport is your home.
Eurosport’s value is tremendous, although it may not be as popular as platforms such as Sky or BT Sport, it provides users with great value for their money, especially those who are into more exotic sports.
This, of course, means that Mainstream sports lovers would stay away from the platform, as the coverage of those sports is very limited. Not to mention that, due to geographical restrictions, Eurosport may not be available in several locations.
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer may not be a sports streaming service, but it does provide coverage for some of the UK’s biggest events. Its main perk is that it’s completely free of charge, which instantly makes it deserve a place on this list.
Although it doesn’t offer as much coverage as the other premium sports services, the fact that it covers events such as the Six Nations or Wimbledon makes it a very viable option for sports fans who want to watch something free of charge, but you shouldn’t expect much from a free platform as it has no exclusive rights for any competition.
Choosing the Right Streaming Service
Now that a good number of platforms have been explored and their features understood, it's time to determine which service is best suited to your needs.
For those who enjoy football, BT Sport or Sky Sports are the top options, with Amazon Prime Video as a close second.
For tennis enthusiasts, Eurosport or BBC iPlayer are great choices. Similarly, for combat sports fans, BT Sport and DAZN offer excellent coverage.
Finally, for those who enjoy a variety of sports, Eurosport is an essential platform.
With an understanding of the services available and what they offer, everybody can now choose the platform that best suits their preferences and enjoy watching the top sports from the comfort of their home.
