5 has secured a deal with the NFL that will see the broadcaster show games live during primetime every Sunday.
A match with a 6pm UK start will air on the flagship channel 5, with a second game – with either a 9pm or 9.25pm start – following on 5Action, which will be rebranded 5NFL while play is underway.
The main game on 5 will air as part of a show called NFL: Big Game Night, which will be hosted by Dermot O’Leary, Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora, with a new gameshow format interspersed during breaks in play.
Describing the format, 5 said: “Two teams of friends and family in the UK will battle for prizes in a series of games that are fast, furious and fun. They will be representing the two teams playing that night and can only score points when their team has the ball – so they’d better hope their team doesn’t fumble in the Big Game, or the other team could snatch up their chance to win. The winning team on the night will play one final game where they have the chance to win a holiday to an NFL city in the United States.”
As well as the Sunday games during the regular season, 5 will also show the Super Bowl, the NFL London and Dublin games, three playoff games and the Thanksgiving Day specials.
Sky Sports is expected to retain the pay-TV rights to the league, including two exclusive games on Sundays and NFL RedZone, with an official announcement expected in the coming days.
5’s coverage of the 2025 season gets underway at 5.30pm on Sunday, September 7.
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