Being a Gooner is stressful enough without the added headache of navigating a dozen different streaming apps just to see if Kai Havertz is starting up top. You’ve probably been there. It’s ten minutes to kickoff, the "Live" button on your usual app is grayed out, and you’re frantically googling why the match isn't on. Honestly, the broadcast rights for the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups are a fragmented mess. If you want to know how to watch Arsenal in 2026, you need a strategy, not just a subscription.
The landscape has shifted. Gone are the days when one cable package covered everything. Now, it's a mix of legacy broadcasters and tech giants like Amazon and Apple dipping their toes into the water. Depending on where you live—London, New York, or Lagos—your "must-have" list looks completely different.
The Premier League Puzzle: Domestic vs. International
If you’re in the UK, you’re dealing with the infamous 3:00 PM blackout. This rule, designed to protect stadium attendance, means that if Arsenal plays on a Saturday afternoon, you aren't watching it legally on TV. Period. For the rest of the matches, the rights are split between Sky Sports, TNT Sports (formerly BT), and Amazon Prime Video. Sky remains the big dog, carrying the majority of the "Super Sunday" slots and Monday night games. If Mikel Arteta’s squad is playing a title rival, it’s almost certainly on Sky.
Americans actually have it easier, which feels like a bit of a joke to fans in North London. NBC Sports has the stranglehold. Most games are on Peacock, but the "big" ones often land on USA Network or even NBC’s flagship channel. It’s a weirdly better experience because there’s no blackout. You can literally watch every single one of the 38 matches if you’re willing to pay for the Peacock Premium tier.
Breaking Down the Streaming Costs
Don't just hit "subscribe" on everything. You'll go broke.
For a UK fan, a full package including Sky and TNT can easily clear £70 a month. That’s absurd. Many people are pivoting to NOW TV "Day Passes" specifically for Arsenal matchdays to keep costs down. It’s a bit of a workaround, but it saves you from paying for cricket or F1 coverage you might not care about. In the US, Peacock is roughly $7.99 a month, which is the best value in football. Canada is a different story entirely; FuboTV has the exclusive rights there, and they’ve hiked prices recently. It’s around $25 CAD now.
Champions League Nights and the Midweek Chaos
European nights hit different. The Emirates under the lights is something special, but finding the broadcast is a different beast. In the UK, TNT Sports has the exclusive grip on the Champions League. You won't find these on Sky. If Arsenal makes a deep run into the knockout stages, you’re looking at a separate subscription or a very expensive add-on.
In the US, CBS Sports handles the Champions League. Most games stream on Paramount+. It’s actually a pretty decent service—their "Golazo Show" is great for keeping up with other scores while the Arsenal game is on a different screen. But again, it’s another $6 to $8 out of your pocket.
The FA Cup and Carabao Cup
Don't forget the domestic cups. These are the "hidden" games. In the UK, the FA Cup is still largely free-to-air on the BBC and ITV. It's a rare win for the consumer. The Carabao Cup, however, is mostly on Sky Sports. For US fans, ESPN+ is the home for both. If you want to see the youngsters get a run-out in the early rounds of the League Cup, you need that ESPN+ sub. It’s usually bundled with Disney+ and Hulu, which makes it a bit more palatable for families.
How to Watch Arsenal if You’re Traveling
VPNs are the elephant in the room. Everyone talks about them, but nobody explains the technical hurdles. If you’re a UK subscriber traveling to Spain, you might find your app blocked. Using a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN can help you access your home subscription, but be warned: streaming services are getting smarter. They blackhole known VPN IP addresses constantly.
It’s often better to check the local pub. Arsenal has "Official Supporters Clubs" in almost every major city on earth. Whether you're in Tokyo or Berlin, there is a bar that has paid the exorbitant commercial license fee to show the game. There is nothing quite like watching a North London Derby at 4:00 AM in a crowded basement bar in Melbourne. The energy is worth the lack of sleep.
Technical Requirements for a Buffer-Free Match
Nothing ruins a counter-attack like a loading circle. Most people blame their ISP, but it’s often the hardware. If you’re streaming 4K content (which Sky and NBC are pushing more often now), you need a consistent 25 Mbps download speed.
- Hardwire your connection: Use an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is prone to interference, especially in apartment buildings.
- Update the app: Streaming apps for TVs are notoriously buggy. Check for updates an hour before kickoff.
- Check the delay: Streaming is usually 30-60 seconds behind the live action. Turn off your Twitter (X) notifications or your "LiveScore" alerts, otherwise, you'll hear about a goal before you see it.
Avoiding the "Piracy" Trap
It’s tempting to look for a "free" link. We’ve all seen the dodgy sites with fifty pop-up ads for casinos and "local singles." Honestly? It’s not worth it. Aside from the massive security risk to your computer, those streams always fail at the most crucial moment. There is a specific type of rage that only occurs when the stream dies right as Bukayo Saka is stepping up to take a penalty in the 90th minute.
Stick to the official broadcasters. If the cost is too high, look for "Value Bundles." In the US, the "Disney Bundle" covers your cup games and some league matches. In the UK, Virgin Media often bundles Sky and TNT for a lower combined price than buying them separately.
The Rise of Arsenal.com and the App
For the true die-hards, the official Arsenal app is actually underrated. While they can't show live Premier League games due to rights restrictions, they have the "Match Day Show" with live audio commentary. It’s free. If you’re stuck in the car or working a shift where you can’t have a screen open, the radio commentary is top-tier. They also post full match replays and "Bench Cam" footage about 24 hours after the final whistle. It’s the best way to catch up if you missed the live window.
Looking Ahead to Next Season
The rights cycles are always changing. The Premier League recently inked a new massive deal that will see more games televised than ever before starting in the next couple of years. This might mean even more fragmentation. Keep an eye on Apple TV; they’ve seen the success of their MLS deal and are rumored to be bidding on more European football. If that happens, the "how to watch Arsenal" question gets even more complicated.
👉 See also: Top DT in NFL 2024: What Most People Get Wrong About Interior Dominance
Practical Steps to Prepare for Matchday
To make sure you're ready for the next kickoff, follow these steps:
- Check the Official Schedule: Go to the Arsenal website first. Don't trust third-party calendars which often use placeholder times.
- Verify the Broadcaster: Look for the specific logo (Sky, TNT, NBC, Peacock) on the fixture list.
- Test Your Login: Do this the day before. Password resets always take longer than you think.
- Silence Your Phone: If you’re streaming, you are behind the live feed. Prevent spoilers by muting sports apps.
- Check Local Pubs: If you don't have the right sub, use the "Arsenal Supporters Club" finder to find a local haunt. It’s cheaper than a £70 monthly bill and way more fun.
The days of simply "turning on the TV" are over. You have to be a bit of a detective to follow the Gunners these days, but with the right mix of Peacock, Sky, or a well-timed trip to the pub, you won't miss a single "North London Forever" rendition.