When is the Premier League is back, how to watch the games live, and what about the FA Cup?

Ross Gibson
Milner.Klopp_.Liverpool.Getty_

The Premier League is returning after an enforced break due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it promises to be a feast for armchair supporters.

No fans will be permitted to attend due to public health restrictions, but fans will be more connected than ever to their team and the action via their TV screens.

Here is all you need to know about getting your football fix when the Premier League restarts from June 17.

How many Premier league matches will be televised?

There are 92 remaining fixtures in the 2019/20 Premier League season, and every single one is going to be live on tv.

When will Premier League matches be televised?

In order to bring as much football as possible to the masses, staggered kick-off times have been confirmed by the Premier League. They are as follows:

  • Saturday matches will start either at 12.30pm, 3pm, 5.30pm and 8pm.
  • Sunday matches will kick off at either 12pm, 2pm, 4.30pm and 7pm.
  • Games on a Friday will kick off at 8pm.
  • Midweek games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will kick off at either 6pm or 8pm.

The first round of matches on June 17 will involve the four teams who currently have games in hand, meaning Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal will kick us off.

A full round of fixtures will then be played on the weekend of June 19-21. A full set of fixtures will be announced later as it is subject to government approval.

BBC Sport report three rounds of weekend fixtures and three midweek rounds will be required to finish the campaign, with a provisional date of July 25 pencilled in for the season finale.

Where can I watch the Premier League on TV?

As usual, those with the relevant subscriptions will benefit the most, but there will be also be unprecedented access for free-to-air viewers, with the BBC set to broadcast live Premier League football for the first time in the competition’s history.

All four of the Premier League’s existing broadcast partners in the UK will screen matches.

How to watch the Premier League restart on Sky Sports

Sky Sports is traditionally the most dominant broadcaster when it comes to the Premier League in the UK, and nothing is changing upon the restart.

Of the 92 matches that are set to be broadcast live, 64 will be split between their Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League channels.

Those who don’t subscribe to a Sky Sports package are also in luck, though, with 25 of their 64 matches being selected for Sky’s free-to-air channel.

As usual, Sky Sports day, week, or month passes are also available to buy on NowTV.

How to watch the Premier League restart on BT Sports

BT were scheduled to screen just another eight matches between now and the end of the season, but that has now been bumped up to 20.

That’s the good news for viewers. The bad news is that none of them will be available free-to-air.

For those unwilling to commit to a subscription, BT are offering a contract-free monthly pass option.

How to watch the Premier League restart on Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime only started broadcasting live Premier League football this season with rights to two rounds of December fixtures.

Despite those games long-since being completed, Amazon Prime will screen four Premier League matches between now and the end of the season.

There is no monthly pass option available like with BT Sport and Sky Sports, but their offer of a free 30-day trial is still out there.

How to watch the Premier League restart on the BBC

The BBC has never broadcast live Premier League since the competition’s inception in 1992, but all that will change next month.

They have been awarded four fixtures to be shown across their platforms, as well as retaining rights to show highlights on Match of the Day, which will be coming at you thick and fast once the action resumes.

“This opportunity creates an historic moment for the BBC and our audiences,” Director of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, said.

“At a time when sports fans across the country are in need of lift, this is very welcome news. We are delighted and excited to have the chance to show live Premier League games on the BBC.”

What about the FA Cup?

No details have yet been confirmed for the resumption of the FA Cup, but it has provisionally been scheduled to return as follows:

  • Quarter-finals June 27-28
  • Semi-finals June 18-19
  • Final August 1

The FA Cup is expected to continue to be broadcast by its regular partners, meaning BT Sport and the BBC.