As the birthplace of modern football, England‘s Premier League has long attracted legions of passionate soccer fans from across the globe. With billionaire owners, world-class players like Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah, and the prestige of winning the most-watched sports league on earth, the drama never stops in the EPL.
According to Forbes, the Premier League currently generates over $9 billion in revenue annually, cementing its status as soccer‘s most lucrative competition. But how can fans in the U.S. stream all 380 matches each season? Let‘s dive into the best streaming options for catching every heart-pounding goal:
Streaming Viewership Surges for Premier League
The growing popularity of soccer combined with increasing cord-cutting has led streaming numbers to skyrocket for Premier League broadcasts. NBC Sports reported a record 3.3 million viewers streamed matches on Peacock and NBC platforms during the 2021-22 season, a staggering 105% jump from the previous season.
Jonathan Tannenwald, soccer columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, notes the EPL‘s reputation for excitement makes it perfect for streaming. "With its nonstop drama, intriguing storylines and global talent pool, the Premier League captures the streaming audience‘s imagination – especially new American fans."
Peacock – Affordable Streaming for EPL
NBCUniversal‘s streaming arm Peacock provides the most affordable access to Premier League soccer in the U.S. A Peacock Premium subscription costs just $4.99/month. While you won‘t get every match like cable, Peacock carries approximately 175 of the season‘s 380 EPL games including exclusives.
| Peacock Premier League Streaming |
|---|
| – 175 live games per season |
| – 1-2 exclusive matches per matchweek |
| – $4.99/month for Premium plan |
| – studio shows, highlights, replays |
According to Decider‘s Brett White, "Peacock gives you so much Premier League for so little…a perfect streaming option for new American EPL fans looking for an affordable way in."
Other Streaming TV Options for EPL Matches
For more comprehensive coverage, streaming TV services like fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV all include NBC/NBCSN and USA Network which broadcast EPL matches in their channel packages:
| Streaming Service | Price Per Month | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| fuboTV | $69.99 | 4K streaming, lookback, multi-view |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99 | Unlimited Cloud DVR, expanded sports add-on |
| Sling TV | $35-$50 | Cloud DVR, Sling Blue + Sports Extra ideal for soccer |
| YouTube TV | $64.99 | Unlimited Cloud DVR, multi-device streaming |
These full-featured streaming services offer the NBC family of channels plus many more entertainment options starting around $35/month. While pricier than Peacock, soccer fans gain access to significantly more Premier League matches streaming live.
TV Provider Streaming – Best for Diehard Fans
Subscribers to traditional pay TV providers like cable or satellite can authenticate via their subscription credentials to access NBC Sports‘ Premier League streams online or in the NBC Sports app. This provides comprehensive EPL match coverage without any additional fees.
According to a 2022 TiVo report, as rising TV bills push consumers to cut the cord, 66% of pay TV subscribers still find authenticated TV streaming very useful. For diehard soccer fans who must see every Premier League game, a cable/satellite subscription plus TV authentication may merit the high monthly costs.
Free Streaming Options – Very Limited for EPL
Without a streaming subscription, watching Premier League matches for free is extremely difficult. NBC provides a handful of EPL games on Peacock‘s free tier each season. Checking Twitter or the Premier League website may uncover additional free limited time access opportunities.
But free streaming provides little content compared to Peacock Premium and other paid services. As Paul Carr from the website World Soccer Talk summarizes, "To gain regular access to Premier League matches, some form of subscription is a must."
Avoid the Temptation of Illegal Streaming
Unlicensed websites offering free access to EPL streams may seem tempting but come with multiple risks. They often spread malware, provide poor unreliable video and most importantly, illegally distribute copyrighted content harming the teams and leagues.
According to a Digital Citizens Alliance study, 1 in 3 illegal streaming sites expose viewers‘ devices to malware. Jonathan Tannenwald strongly advises soccer fans to avoid these risky sites no matter the temptation.
While free options are limited, the affordable paid platforms above provide Premier League fans excellent legal ways to enjoy the matches.
Where to Watch Games – Premier League Broadcasting Guide
NBC and its family of networks broadcast Premier League matches on broadcast and cable channels supplemented by Peacock streaming. Here is where to watch EPL matchweeks all season long:
Saturdays
- 7:30am ET: Early match on Peacock
- 10:00am ET: Featured match on USA Network
- 12:30pm ET: Marquee late morning game on NBC
Sundays
- 9:00am ET: Kickoff match on Peacock
- 11:30am ET: Morning game on NBCSN
Midweek Matches
- Afternoon and evening on Peacock and NBCSN
Consult this schedule of broadcast/streaming options to ensure you never miss a minute of the action all season long.
With the Premier League more popular than ever in the U.S., new fans now have more viewing options than ever before. By consulting this guide, you can determine the streaming or TV provider best suited for your budget, preferences and fandom!
