MPs urgently ask the government to rethink the tough TNT Sports decision
MPs in the UK are speaking up for football fans, asking the government to help make top football games free to watch again. For 34 years, the Champions League—the best of European football—was always shown on free TV in the UK. Big finals brought in huge audiences, with even casual fans tuning in.
But in 2026, TNT Sports’ parent company, Warner Bros, moved the coverage of the Conference League, Europa League, and Champions League finals to HBO Max, a subscription service. This means fans now need to pay to watch these big games.
Many MPs want this to change. They are asking the government to help bring these finals back to free TV so everyone can enjoy them. This year, British football fans have been excited by Aston Villa’s recent win over Freiburg, the first of what could be three big wins including Crystal Palace and Arsenal. However, Villa’s 3-0 victory wasn’t shown on free TV, which has upset many supporters.
Labour MP Jon Trickett said, “All major sports finals should be free to watch on UK TV.” He hopes the government will take action to make sure huge events like the Champions League final are available to as many people as possible. Shadow Support Minister Louie French agrees, saying football should be open to fans, not locked behind a paywall, even though broadcasters need money to keep showing these games.
For now, the Champions League final between Arsenal and PSG will still be on HBO Max, with Warner Bros sticking to their choice this year. But with the government’s pressure, there’s hope things could change in the future.