For many Premier League fans in the UK, this weekend will feel familiar — and frustrating. During January 3–4, 2026, several matches simply cannot be watched live on TV or streaming, due to blackout rules and limited broadcaster selections.

But not watching live doesn’t mean missing out completely. In fact, UK fans have some of the best alternative coverage in the world — if they know where to look.

Here’s the most practical guide to following Premier League matches this weekend when live viewing isn’t an option.

Read more:

- Which Premier League Matches Can You Actually Watch Live in the UK This Weekend of January 3–4?

- Why Some Premier League Matches This Weekend Are Impossible to Watch Live in the UK

Fulham vs Liverpool
Fulham vs Liverpool

1. BBC Match of the Day: Still the Gold Standard

When live access isn’t available, BBC remains the first stop for millions of fans.

Why Match of the Day still matters

  • Extended highlights of every Premier League match

  • Expert analysis and context, not just goals

  • Free to watch in the UK

Episodes air:

  • Saturday night (after final whistle)

  • Sunday night (for Sunday fixtures)

Watch via BBC One or BBC iPlayer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football

For matches like Fulham vs Liverpool or Tottenham vs Sunderland this weekend — unavailable live — Match of the Day offers the most complete recap.

Read more: Why I Can’t Watch Every Premier League Match in the UK - Even With All Subscriptions

2. Live Radio Commentary: Real-Time, Underrated, Effective

If you want to follow matches as they happen, radio remains one of the best — and least discussed — options.

Where to listen

  • BBC Radio 5 Live (national coverage)

  • Local BBC radio stations (club-focused commentary)

Radio commentary is not affected by the TV blackout, meaning you can follow:

  • Saturday afternoon matches

  • Sunday 3pm kickoffs

  • Games with no TV coverage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

For fans on the move, this is often the closest experience to watching live.

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3. Extended Highlights and Official Clips

Beyond Match of the Day, extended highlights are available from official sources shortly after matches finish.

Best options

These clips typically include:

  • Full goals

  • Key chances

  • Major incidents

They’re ideal if you want quick access without waiting for TV broadcasts.

4. Full Match Replays (When Available)

Some broadcasters make full replays available later — even if matches weren’t shown live.

  • Sky Sports and TNT Sports sometimes offer delayed replays

  • Availability varies by fixture and rights

This is not guaranteed, but worth checking broadcaster apps after full-time.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

During the 3–4 January 2026 weekend:

  • Only four Premier League matches are available live

  • Several popular fixtures are completely unavailable live

  • Millions of UK fans must rely on alternatives

Knowing how to follow matches properly saves frustration — and avoids illegal streams that offer poor quality and legal risk.

The Bottom Line

If you’re watching the Premier League from the UK this weekend, the key is adjusting expectations, not chasing live streams.

Some matches on January 3–4, 2026 are simply unavailable live because of broadcast rules and limited TV slots. No subscription package can change that. Instead of wasting time searching for a live feed that doesn’t exist, UK fans are better served by planning how they’ll follow each game.