What Channel is the Super Bowl On? UK, Ireland & US Guide

You’ve cleared your calendar, prepped the snacks, and the guests are about to arrive. But when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around, the one question that can derail the evening is: what channel is the Super Bowl on? This year, the answer depends on where you’re watching from, and the broadcast lineup has shifted in ways that will catch even regular viewers off guard.

Super Bowl LX kickoff (ET): 6:30 PM · Super Bowl LX kickoff (GMT/Ireland): 11:30 PM · UK broadcaster: Channel 5 · Ireland broadcaster: Virgin Media One · US broadcaster: NBC · Halftime show start (approx.): 90 minutes after kickoff

Eight key facts about Super Bowl LX, one pattern: the broadcast split mirrors a growing trend of free-to-air rights moving away from traditional public-service broadcasters in the UK and Ireland. Here’s what’s confirmed.

What channel is the Super Bowl on in the UK?

If you’re in the UK, the answer is clear: Channel 5. The free-to-air broadcast kicks off at 11pm GMT, giving you about 30 minutes of pre-game build-up before the coin toss. This marks a significant shift from previous years when the Super Bowl aired on BBC or ITV.

Is Super Bowl on Channel 4?

• No. Channel 4 does not hold any broadcast rights for Super Bowl LX. The free-to-air rights have moved exclusively to Channel 5 (NFL.com — official league site).

Channel 4 showed previous Super Bowls as recently as Super Bowl LV, but the rights rotation has landed elsewhere for 2026.

Is Super Bowl on Channel 5 UK?

• Yes. Channel 5 is the official UK broadcaster for Super Bowl LX. Coverage begins at 11pm GMT on Sunday, February 8 (NFL.com — official league site).

You can also stream the game live on My5, Channel 5’s on-demand platform, with no subscription required.

Why is the Super Bowl 2026 not on BBC or ITV?

• Neither the BBC nor ITV acquired the free-to-air rights for Super Bowl LX. The UK rights have moved to Channel 5, which secured a multi-year deal with the NFL (NFL.com — official league site).

The implication: if you’ve grown accustomed to watching the Super Bowl on BBC One or ITV, you’ll need to tune into Channel 5 this time—or stream it through My5.

What this means for UK viewers: The rights shift from BBC/ITV to Channel 5 forces millions to update their channel presets before Super Bowl Sunday. Anyone who doesn’t switch will miss the game entirely.

What channel is Super Bowl on regular TV?

Super Bowl LX is a network television event in the US, airing on one of the major broadcasters and available via antenna in most markets.

Is the Super Bowl on Fox or CBS this year?

• Neither. Super Bowl LX airs on NBC in the US (NFL.com — official league site). The broadcast rotation among Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC means this year belongs to NBC.

Kickoff is at 6:30 PM ET, with pre-game coverage starting as early as noon ET on NBC and Peacock.

Who is broadcasting Super Bowl 2026?

• NBC is the US broadcast partner. The game is also available via streaming on Peacock and NFL+ (NFL.com — official league site).

For cord-cutters, a Peacock subscription or an over-the-air antenna will get you the game without a cable package.

The pattern: NBC’s broadcast will be the default in American homes, but UK and Irish viewers face a different set of options. The trade-off is that while US viewers enjoy a single, reliable network, international audiences must navigate multiple free-to-air and pay-TV choices.

Is the Super Bowl on BBC or ITV?

No. The BBC and ITV are not showing Super Bowl LX. This is a reversal from previous years when both broadcasters carried the game. Free-to-air rights in the UK have shifted to Channel 5, while in Ireland, Virgin Media One holds the rights (NFL.com — official league site).

The consequence for viewers: Anyone who expects to find the Super Bowl on BBC One or ITV on game day will be greeted by regular programming. The only free option in the UK is Channel 5; in Ireland, it’s Virgin Media One.

What time is the Super Bowl halftime show?

The Apple Music Halftime Show at Super Bowl LX features Bad Bunny (NFL.com — official league site). The performance typically begins about 90 minutes after kickoff, meaning it will start around 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM GMT.

What time is the Super Bowl in Ireland?

• Super Bowl LX kicks off at 11:30 PM Irish time on Sunday, February 8 (Extra.ie — Irish lifestyle news). The halftime show follows around 1:00 AM Irish time, with the game finishing around 3:30 AM.

For Irish viewers, this is a late night—or early Monday morning. Plan your caffeine accordingly.

For late-night planners: Irish viewers face a post-midnight halftime and a finish around 3:30 AM — a schedule that demands either strong coffee or a pre-arranged Monday lie-in.

How to watch Super Bowl in Ireland?

Ireland is well served for Super Bowl LX with both free-to-air and subscription options. Virgin Media One is the free-to-air home, while Sky Sports NFL offers a paid alternative with extensive pre-game coverage.

What channel is the NFL game on in Ireland?

• Virgin Media One is the free-to-air broadcaster in Ireland, with coverage starting at 11pm Irish time (Extra.ie — Irish lifestyle news). The broadcast includes commentary from Jeff Reinebold and Michael McQuaid live from Levi’s Stadium (NFL.com — official league site).

Where can I watch the Super Bowl in Ireland?

• At home: Virgin Media One (free) or Sky Sports NFL (subscription). Sky’s coverage begins at 10pm Irish time with a panel featuring Neil Reynolds and Ryan Fitzpatrick (Sky Sports — UK sports broadcaster).
• Streaming: Virgin Media Player (free) or NFL Game Pass on DAZN (paid) (NFL.com — official league site).
• Watch parties in Dublin: Arlington Hotel, McSorley’s in Ranelagh, Busker’s on the Ball on Fleet Street, and McGowan’s in Phibsborough are hosting events (Extra.ie — Irish lifestyle news).

The decision for Irish viewers boils down to cost and convenience: Virgin Media One offers a free, no-fuss option, while Sky Sports NFL provides deeper analysis and US‑style production. If you’re out in Dublin, the watch parties are a fun alternative.

Timeline

• January 2026 – Official broadcaster announcements and schedule releases (NFL.com — official league site)
• February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium (Sky Sports — UK sports broadcaster)
• 6:30 PM ET / 11:30 PM GMT – Kickoff (Sky Sports — UK sports broadcaster)
• Approx 8:00 PM ET / 1:00 AM GMT – Halftime show featuring Bad Bunny (NFL.com — official league site)

Tracking the timeline: From January announcements to the 3:30 AM Irish finish, the Super Bowl LX schedule puts a premium on preparation — especially for viewers crossing time zones or relying on free-to-air broadcasts with local ad breaks.

Clarity: Confirmed vs. Unclear

Separating signal from noise: The confirmed facts give viewers a solid foundation — date, venue, channels, and kickoff window — but half a dozen variables remain unconfirmed, from performer to 4K availability. Irish and UK viewers should treat the 3:30 AM end time as a rough marker, not a guarantee.

Quotes

“Channel 5 will broadcast Super Bowl LX live on Sunday February 8 from Levi’s Stadium.”

NFL.com — official league site

“Virgin Media will broadcast Super Bowl LX live on Virgin Media One with Jeff Reinebold and Michael McQuaid from Levi’s Stadium.”

NFL.com — official league site

“Sky Sports NFL coverage of Super Bowl LX starts at 10pm UK/Irish time with Neil Reynolds, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and others.”

Sky Sports — UK sports broadcaster

“Super Bowl LX teams are New England Patriots vs Seattle Seahawks.”

Sky Sports — UK sports broadcaster

What the broadcasters are saying: The official statements confirm Channel 5 and Virgin Media One as the free-to-air homes, while Sky Sports positions itself as the premium companion with a longer pre-game window and a star-studded panel. The teams — Patriots vs Seahawks — add a rematch narrative that could drive higher-than-usual viewership in New England and the Pacific Northwest.

Summary

For UK viewers, the Super Bowl has moved from BBC/ITV to Channel 5 — a switch that demands a new channel number but no subscription fee. Irish viewers have free-to-air Virgin Media One and the option of Sky Sports for deeper coverage. For Americans, NBC remains the reliable broadcast home. The choice for each market is clear: Channel 5 in the UK, Virgin Media One in Ireland, and NBC in the US, or risk scrambling at kickoff. UK and Irish viewers who do not update their channel presets before game day will miss the opening kickoff.