Sport on TV
Sport on TV in Ireland 2026: Where to Watch Every Sport
Updated September 2026 · Independent guide, not affiliated with any broadcaster
Who shows what in Ireland — free-to-air and paid — for football, rugby, GAA, UFC, F1, racing, darts and snooker.
Rights change every season. We update this page regularly, but always confirm with the broadcaster before a big event.
Who shows what
| Sport | Free-to-air | Paid | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Highlights only (varies) | Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Premier Sports | Read |
| Champions League | Virgin Media (2026/27), RTÉ from 2027/28 | Other matches on pay TV | Read |
| League of Ireland | Virgin Media Two | League streaming | Read |
| Six Nations | RTÉ & Virgin Media | — | Read |
| Ireland rugby (other) | Virgin Media (Nations Championship) | — | Read |
| GAA | RTÉ | GAA+ | Read |
| UFC | — | TNT Sports, NOW Sports Extra | Read |
| Formula 1 | — | Sky Sports F1, NOW | Read |
| Horse racing | Virgin Media (Cheltenham), RTÉ | Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing | Read |
| Darts & snooker | — | Sky Sports (darts), TNT Sports (snooker) | Read |
Cheapest ways to watch sport
- Use free channels first: RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4 via Saorview.
- Take NOW month by month, or a day pass.
- Check HBO Max TNT Sports bundles.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch free sport in Ireland?
RTÉ, Virgin Media and TG4 show lots of free sport, including the Six Nations, GAA and selected football.
What is the cheapest way to get Sky Sports in Ireland?
A NOW Sports membership or day pass, without a long contract.
Which service shows the most sport?
Sky with Sky Sports plus TNT Sports covers the most, but monthly services can be cheaper.