Watching Arsenal Live During the 2026-27 Season Across All Platforms

The next Arsenal match is a pre-season friendly against Como, scheduled for today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Kick-off is set for 7:30 PM BST (2:30 PM ET). Supporters worldwide can watch this specific match live exclusively via the official Arsenal YouTube channel and Arsenal.com.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, broadcasting rights have become increasingly fragmented across various traditional TV networks and streaming services. Navigating these options depends heavily on your geographic location and which competition the Gunners are participating in, ranging from the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League to domestic cups like the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Upcoming Arsenal Fixtures and Broadcast Schedule

For fans planning their viewing schedule for the opening month of the season, the following table details the confirmed matches, dates, and primary broadcasters for major regions.

How to Watch Arsenal in the United Kingdom

The broadcasting landscape in the UK for the 2026-27 season remains a split between three primary holders for league action, with domestic cups handled by free-to-air and subscription services.

Premier League Rights Holders

Sky Sports continues to be the dominant broadcaster for Arsenal’s league campaign. Under the current rights cycle, Sky Sports broadcasts the majority of live matches, typically covering the Sunday afternoon slots, Monday Night Football, and Friday night fixtures.

TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) typically handles the Saturday lunchtime kick-offs and select midweek rounds. Amazon Prime Video also retains rights to specific full rounds of matches, usually occurring in December, though their involvement varies by season.

The 3 PM Blackout Rule

It is important for viewers in the UK to remember the "3 PM Blackout." Any Arsenal match scheduled for a Saturday at 3:00 PM local time will not be broadcast live on any television channel in the United Kingdom. this historic rule is designed to protect attendance at lower-league matches. Highlights for these games are usually available on BBC's Match of the Day later that evening.

Domestic and European Cups

• FA Cup: Coverage is split between the BBC (free-to-air) and TNT Sports. The final is always available on free-to-air television.
• Carabao Cup: Sky Sports holds the exclusive rights to broadcast the League Cup, including all rounds featuring Premier League teams.
• UEFA Champions League: Following the new format changes, TNT Sports remains the primary home for European nights, though Amazon Prime Video now broadcasts one "top-pick" match every Tuesday evening.

Where to Stream Arsenal Games in the United States

For supporters in the U.S., the 2026-27 season requires a mix of cable and standalone streaming subscriptions.

NBC Sports and Peacock

NBC Sports holds the exclusive rights to the Premier League in the United States. Their coverage is divided:

• NBC (Over-the-Air): High-profile matches, often on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, are aired on the main NBC network.
• USA Network: This is the primary cable destination for most weekend fixtures.
• Peacock: As the dedicated streaming service, Peacock carries every single Premier League match that is not exclusive to a cable network. In our testing of the platform, the "Premium" tier is necessary to access live sports, while the "Premium Plus" tier offers an ad-free experience for on-demand content.

European and Domestic Cup Coverage in the U.S.

• Champions League: Paramount+ is the exclusive home for all UEFA competitions. To watch Arsenal in Europe, a Paramount+ subscription is mandatory, as very few matches are simulcast on CBS or CBS Sports Network.
• FA Cup: All matches are streamed via ESPN+. There is rarely coverage on the linear ESPN cable channels.
• Carabao Cup: This competition is also hosted on Paramount+, providing a consolidated home for both European and English league cup action.

International Broadcasting Options for Arsenal Fans

Arsenal's global appeal ensures that almost every country has a dedicated rights holder for their matches.

Australia

In Australia, Optus Sport remains the exclusive home of the Premier League. For the Champions League and FA Cup, fans will need to look toward Stan Sport, which has established itself as a premium destination for European football.

Canada

FuboTV Canada holds the exclusive rights to the Premier League. For the Champions League and FA Cup, DAZN is the primary broadcaster. Based on current market trends, these platforms often offer monthly or annual passes tailored for football fans.

Germany and Central Europe

In Germany, Sky Sport provides comprehensive coverage of the Premier League. For the Champions League, DAZN and Amazon Prime share the rights, with DAZN covering the bulk of the fixtures.

Technical Requirements for High-Definition Streaming

To ensure a seamless viewing experience, especially for high-stakes matches like the North London Derby or Champions League knockouts, certain technical standards should be met.

Internet Speed and Stability

For standard high-definition (1080p) streaming on platforms like Peacock or Sky Go, a stable download speed of at least 10 Mbps is recommended. However, for those watching in 4K Ultra HD (available on Sky Ultra HD or TNT Sports Ultimate), a minimum of 25 Mbps to 50 Mbps is required to avoid buffering and maintain the high frame rates necessary for live sports.

Device Compatibility

Most modern streaming apps are compatible with:

• Smart TVs: LG (webOS), Samsung (Tizen), and Sony (Android TV).
• Streaming Sticks: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV 4K.
• Mobile Devices: iOS and Android apps usually offer a "picture-in-picture" mode for multitasking.

Which channel is broadcasting the Arsenal game today?

If you are looking for today's match specifically, the answer depends on the date. For August 12, 2026, the match against Como is available on Arsenal.com. For the Community Shield on August 16, 2026, the game will be on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and ESPN+ in the US.

How can I watch Arsenal matches without cable?

Cord-cutting has become simpler with the rise of dedicated sports apps. In the U.S., services like Sling TV (Blue package) or YouTube TV provide access to the USA Network without a long-term cable contract. In the UK, NOW (formerly NOW TV) offers Sky Sports Day or Month Memberships, allowing fans to pay only for the months they wish to watch.

Summary of Viewing Options

Watching Arsenal in the 2026-27 season requires a strategic approach to subscriptions. For the most comprehensive coverage:

• UK Fans should ideally have Sky Sports and TNT Sports, supplemented by a Prime account for December.
• US Fans need Peacock for the majority of league games and Paramount+ for the Champions League journey.
• Global Fans should prioritize their local Premier League rights holder (e.g., Optus, Fubo, or Canal+) and check the official Arsenal website for pre-season friendly streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Arsenal for free?

Generally, competitive Premier League and Champions League matches are not available for free. However, pre-season friendlies (like the Como match) are often streamed for free on Arsenal's official YouTube channel. Occasionally, the BBC will broadcast FA Cup matches at no cost to UK residents with a TV license.

Is there a way to watch Arsenal matches in 4K?

Yes. In the UK, Sky Sports Ultra HDR and TNT Sports Ultimate offer select matches in 4K. In the U.S., NBC occasionally broadcasts "Match of the Week" in 4K, which can be accessed via supported providers like YouTube TV or FuboTV.

What time is the Arsenal game today?

The match against Como kicks off at 7:30 PM BST. For fans in New York, that is 2:30 PM ET; for those in Los Angeles, it is 11:30 AM PT.

Why is the Arsenal game not on TV today?

If a game falls on a Saturday at 3 PM in the UK, it is subject to the broadcasting blackout. If it is a pre-season friendly, it might only be available on the club’s digital platforms rather than traditional linear TV.