Lib Dem amendment to Football Governance Bill would make at least 10 matches available free

Sky Sports Arsenal Premier League Game Mode camera

MPs could vote on an amendment to the Football Governance Bill that would make at least 10 Premier League games-a-season free-to-air. 

The Liberal Democrats have tabled the amendment after campaigning on making more major sporting events available to the public at last year’s general election. The BBC reports that the party is “confident” that a vote on the amendment will be granted. 

If passed, this law could see a similar situation to that of LaLiga in Spain, where one match-per-week is shown free-to-air since a law brought in during 2022. 

Next season is set to see a new four-year Premier League rights deal come into place, with Sky Sports to air at least 215 games and TNT Sports to broadcast 52 fixtures. The BBC continues to hold the highlights rights. 

Max Wilkinson MP, Lib Dem spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport said: “I’m urging MPs of all stripes to back our amendment to tear down the paywall and make Premier League games available on free to air channels.

“For too long, the jewel in the crown of British football has been locked behind an expensive barrier that keeps fans out while lining the pockets of broadcasters. That must end today - with a free-to-air revolution that gives the Premier League back to the country.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “The government has no plans to review the listed events regime.”

A similar amendment was tabled at the committee stage last month, and at the time, the Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “The listed events regime have protected key moments such as the FA Cup Final while ensuring that the Premier League, EFL & FA are able to raise billions of pounds annually, which is invested back into the pyramid.

“We all want to see more matches being televised free-to-air, but that must be balanced against that investment and not risk it… It would not be appropriate for the regulator to intervene in commercial decisions between the relevant broadcasters and rights holders.”

The Football Governance Bill is aimed at creating an independent regulator for English football, bringing in more stringent tests for club owners, and more.