MPs are set to vote on a landmark amendment that would require at least ten Premier League matches to be broadcast on free-to-air television each season.
In the first-ever vote of its kind, MPs will consider a Liberal Democrat amendment to the new Football Governance Bill. The proposal aims to “tear down the paywall” that currently keeps the vast majority of top-flight English football behind subscription services.
If passed, the amendment would empower the UK’s new Independent Football Regulator to mandate that a selection of Premier League games be made available on channels such as the BBC and ITV. The proposal also calls for the League Cup Final and all three English Football League (EFL) play-off finals to be designated as free-to-air events.
According to the Lib Dems, La Liga, Spain’s top football league, has a deal with streaming service DAZN that offers one free game a week to fans. The party is suggesting that a model similar to that of the Spanish league could be adopted in the UK to “give the game back to fans”.
The coming 2025-26 season is the first season of the Premier League’s new TV rights deal with Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
No matches under the new deal are currently slated for free broadcast.
The Lib Dems point to analysis of subscription prices which shows that, to watch each Premier League game, fans will now have to stump up an eye-watering £660 a year. Premier League viewership figures fell 10 per cent on Sky Sports last year, and fell a shocking 17 per cent on TNT Sport.
Max Wilkinson, Lib Dem spokesperson for culture, media and sport, said: “I’m urging MPs of all stripes to back our amendment to tear down the paywall and make Premier League games available on free to air channels.
“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.
“Fans are being rinsed of every last penny to watch the beautiful game, while the next generation of Bellinghams and Bronzes are priced out of the chance to see football played at the very top level.
“That must end today – with a free to air revolution that gives the Premier League back to the country.”
Josh Self is editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here and X here.
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