The thrill of watching England’s national teams compete is a major part of the UK’s sporting culture. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd for the men’s football team, the tension of a Six Nations clash, or the drama of a Test match, knowing exactly where to tune in is crucial. In 2025, the broadcasting landscape is a mix of traditional free-to-air broadcasters and subscription-based streaming services. This guide breaks down the specific channels and platforms for England’s key sports, offering practical tips and a look at the latest trends shaping how we watch sport.
Football: The Home of the Three Lions
The broadcasting rights for England’s football teams are shared between several major broadcasters, ensuring that many crucial matches remain accessible to everyone in the UK.
England Men’s National Team
For the England men’s team, ITV is the exclusive home for many of their competitive matches. This includes all of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and UEFA Nations League games, as well as associated friendlies. This long-term deal, which runs until 2027, means you can rely on ITV’s channels and streaming platform for these fixtures.
Major international tournaments, however, are a different story. The FIFA World Cup finals and UEFA European Championship finals are protected “crown jewel” events under UK law, which means they must be available on free-to-air television. As such, the broadcasting rights for these tournaments are shared between the BBC and ITV. For example, the 2028 European Championship finals will be broadcast on both networks, with a similar arrangement in place for the World Cup until 2030. This dual coverage ensures that the entire nation can come together to watch the biggest matches, with the final often being shown on both channels simultaneously.
England Women’s National Team
The Lionesses have seen a significant rise in popularity, and their matches are now a major draw. ITV holds the exclusive rights to all England women’s qualifiers, UEFA Nations League games, and friendlies as part of a landmark deal that extends until 2029. This means you will find their matches on ITV1, ITV4, or their streaming service ITVX.
Like the men’s team, major women’s tournament finals are also shared. Every fan will be able to follow the team’s trip for free thanks to live coverage of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 split between the BBC and ITV..
Rugby: The Heart of the Rose
Although broadcasting rights for rugby union are also shared, a recent change has condensed England’s matches into a single free-to-air channel.
England Men’s Rugby Team
Following a new agreement, ITV is the dedicated free-to-air broadcaster for all England men’s matches in the Six Nations Championship until 2029. The BBC, which previously shared the rights, will now show games involving other home nations, such as Scotland and Wales. This means that for every England fixture in the Six Nations, ITV is the channel you need to watch. The BBC will continue to show the Women’s Six Nations until 2029, and other international matches may be broadcast on Sky Sports or TNT Sports.
Cricket: A Tale of Two Broadcasters
Cricket broadcasting is more divided than football or rugby, with a clear split between home matches and away tours.
England Men’s and Women’s Cricket Teams
For most of England’s home cricket matches, the exclusive broadcaster is Sky Sports. Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 internationals are all included in this. In the UK, domestic and international cricket has long been hosted by the subscription service Sky Sports.
However, a significant trend in 2025 is the growing presence of other broadcasters. The exclusive UK rights to England’s away tours, including the much awaited 2025–2026 Ashes series in Australia, have been acquired by TNT Sports. This means fans must subscribe to TNT Sports (which is available via platforms like Discovery+) to follow the team’s performance abroad. option for some fixtures.
Practical Tips for England Fans
Keeping track of which channel is showing which game can be tricky. Here are some practical tips to ensure you never miss a match:
Utilise Streaming Services: Many traditional broadcasters now have powerful streaming platforms. For free-to-air games, ITVX and BBC iPlayer are essential. These services not only offer live streaming but also provide catch-up options and additional content. For subscription sports, Sky Go (for Sky Sports customers) and the Discovery+ app (for TNT Sports) are the primary platforms for watching on the go.
Check a Reliable TV Guide: Websites and apps dedicated to sports schedules are invaluable. They consolidate information from all broadcasters and can send you reminders. Simply searching online for “England football schedule” or “England rugby on TV” will often bring up a clear list of upcoming fixtures and their associated channels.
Consider a Sports Package: For a dedicated England fan who wants to follow every game across all sports, a subscription that includes Sky Sports and TNT Sports (often bundled with a TV package from a provider like Sky or Virgin Media) is the most comprehensive solution.
Travel Considerations: If you are traveling outside the UK, broadcasting rights are different in other countries. You may need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access your UK streaming services, though this can be subject to local terms of service. It is often easier to find a local broadcaster in your destination country.
The Shifting Landscape: 2025 Broadcasting Trends
The media landscape is constantly evolving, and 2025 is a year of significant trends that impact how we watch England’s teams.
The rise of women’s sport is a major theme. A recent Ofcom report noted that women’s sport viewership and popularity have been growing at an unprecedented rate. The long-term broadcast deals secured by ITV for the Lionesses and the sharing of major tournament rights with the BBC are a direct result of this, ensuring widespread exposure and continued growth.
The move towards a hybrid model of free-to-air and subscription content is also a key trend. While a majority of high-profile events are still protected and available on channels like BBC and ITV, premium content, particularly for away tours and domestic leagues, is increasingly moving behind a paywall. This creates a dual economy where casual fans can enjoy the biggest moments for free, while dedicated fans subscribe to get comprehensive coverage.
Digital platforms and streaming services are no longer just an add-on; they are the primary destination for many viewers. The integration of streaming apps like ITVX and BBC iPlayer with traditional channels shows how broadcasters are adapting to changing viewing habits. Statistics show that online video-on-demand services continue to see year-on-year growth, even as linear TV viewership stabilizes.
Finally, broadcasters are focusing on enhanced fan engagement. This includes offering interactive features, second-screen experiences, and producing more social-media-friendly content to attract younger audiences. The goal is to move beyond passive watching and create a more immersive and personalized experience for the modern sports fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the England men’s football team on for qualifiers?
All England men’s qualifiers for tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Nations League are shown live and exclusively on ITV. You can watch them on ITV1, ITV4, or the ITVX streaming service.
Where can I watch the England women’s rugby team?
The BBC holds the rights to the Women’s Six Nations Championship until 2029, so you can watch many of their matches there. Other games, such as international friendlies, may be broadcast on other channels, so it is always best to check the specific fixture schedule.
Are England’s major tournament finals always free-to-air?
Yes, for men’s football, the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship finals are on the UK government’s list of protected events, meaning they must be broadcast live and in full on a free-to-air channel. This coverage is typically shared between the BBC and ITV. A similar arrangement is now in place for the Women’s World Cup and Euros.
How can I watch England cricket matches on away tours?
For England’s away tours, such as the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia, the exclusive broadcaster is TNT Sports. You will need a subscription to TNT Sports, which is available on platforms like Discovery+, to watch these matches.
Is there a single place to watch all of England’s sports teams?
No, due to the complex nature of broadcasting rights, there is no single channel or platform that shows all of England’s teams across football, rugby, and cricket. You will need a combination of free-to-air channels (BBC, ITV) and subscription services (Sky Sports, TNT Sports) to get comprehensive coverage.
Final Thoughts
The question “what channel is England on” doesn’t have a single, simple answer in 2025. The modern sports viewing experience is defined by a diverse landscape of broadcasters, from the long-standing free-to-air giants like the BBC and ITV to the essential subscription services of Sky Sports and TNT Sports. The good news for fans is that many of the most important and high-stakes matches remain available to everyone. By understanding this segmented approach and utilizing both traditional channels and modern streaming platforms, you can ensure you’re always ready to support your favourite England team, no matter the sport or the competition.
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