Premier League Games Could Soon Be Free to Watch

Lawmakers consider a proposal to eliminate subscription fees for UK football fans.

British football fans might soon be able to watch Premier League games without hefty subscription fees. A proposal gaining traction in Parliament seeks to open up access to the sport, challenging current broadcasting arrangements.

Push to End Paywalls

The Liberal Democrats are spearheading an effort to broaden public access to major sporting events. **Max Wilkinson**, Lib Dem spokesperson, is pushing for an amendment to make Premier League games available on free-to-air channels.

**Wilkinson** stated:

“For too long, the jewel in the crown of British football has been locked behind an expensive barrier that keeps fans out while lining the pockets of broadcasters.

—Max Wilkinson, Lib Dem spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport

The Lib Dems have pointed out that watching every available Premier League game live could cost fans £660 a year. In related news, a recent study by Deloitte revealed that Premier League clubs generated a record £6.7 billion in revenue in the 2022/23 season, further fueling the debate over accessibility and affordability (Deloitte 2024).

Government Hesitation

The government, however, seems reluctant to intervene. A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said:

“The government has no plans to review the listed events regime.”

Arguments Against the Change

During an earlier committee stage, **Stephanie Peacock**, the Sports Minister, defended the current system. She emphasized that the existing framework protects key sporting moments and enables the Premier League and other organizations to invest billions back into the sport.

**Peacock** said:

“The listed events regime have protected key moments such as the FA Cup Final while ensuring that the Premier League, EFL & FA are able to raise billions of pounds annually, which is invested back into the pyramid.

—Stephanie Peacock, Sports Minister

She also cautioned against regulatory intervention in commercial decisions between broadcasters and rights holders.

Spanish Model as Inspiration

The Lib Dems are advocating for a model similar to one in Spain, where La Liga must offer one free game a week to fans due to a 2022 law change.

The legislation has advanced to the report stage in the House of Commons. A similar amendment was previously considered last month.

TV Viewership Decline

Notably, television viewing figures for Premier League games on Sky Sports reportedly fell by 10% last season, while TNT Sports experienced a 17% year-on-year reduction.