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The NFL Playoffs are the penultimate showdown time of the National Football League season, where every game is a must-win, as the best teams from each division of the AFC and the NFC will battle it out for their spot in the Super Bowl. The road to Super Bowl LX (starting on January 10th) is where the intensity will ramp up from the Wild Card round to the Conference Championships. Passionate and casual fans alike will experience three rounds of absolute drama in American football.
For fans in the UK, watching the NFL Playoffs does mean dealing with late-night kick-offs, but the good news is that coverage is widely available. There has been a 5% increase in viewership for the regular season of the NFL in the UK over the last year, making it one of the most widely broadcast sports. The UK fanbase has to deal with late-night kick-offs, but the good news is that with a mix of free-to-air broadcasts, premium sports channels, and flexible streaming options, following the playoffs from England has never been easier.
Whether you’re tracking your favourite team, following a specific quarterback, or just watching the biggest matchups of the season, knowing where to watch ensures you don’t miss a crucial snap.
The wildcard week games are scheduled from January 11th to 13th, 2026, for both the AFC and the NFC, where 12 teams will be fighting to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive (the Broncos and Seahawks have the week off).
Keep tabs on your favourite teams so you don’t miss a moment!
The free-to-air UK channels will show some of the games live, including ITV or Channel 5. But here’s the catch: the live action will depend on the season’s broadcasting schedule. These broadcasters will focus on the high-profile matchups, allowing fans to watch key moments of the postseason without needing a paid sports subscription.
Typically, free-to-air coverage includes:
This option works well for fans who want to catch the biggest playoff games while keeping things simple and cost-free.
Sky Sports NFL has been the most comprehensive viewing option available in the UK, providing full access to the NFL Playoffs (wildcard, divisional, conference, and the Super Bowl included). Get complete coverage of the postseason. Sky Sports is determined to give the fans the best experience, ensuring an enhanced viewership.
Get live coverage of every playoff game, with detailed pre-game build-up and analysis setting the stage before each kickoff. Sky Sports provides the viewers with multiple benefits from expert commentary and tactical breakdowns, helping explain key plays, coaching decisions, and momentum shifts. Once the final whistle blows, Sky also delivers post-game reactions and highlights, offering deeper insight into how each matchup was decided.
You can also experience the action through the Sky TV box by using the Sky Go app. Simply download the app on your mobile devices and tablets; with your Sky account (subscription), you can watch coverage for all the matches at home or stream games on the go, making it easy to keep up with the playoffs anytime and anywhere.
For fans who prefer streaming and want flexibility for the playoffs, the NFL Game Pass is a great option for all the viewers in the UK.
NFL Game Pass includes:
It’s particularly useful if you can’t stay up for every late-night kick-off and want to catch up the next morning.
Because the games are played in the US, UK viewers should expect:
Planning is key, especially for weekday mornings after late games.
VPN streaming might be a helpful method for fans who are living or traveling overseas to be connected to familiar NFL Playoffs programming. Users may access the same streaming services they typically use, like Sky Sports, ITV, or other local broadcasters, by safely connecting to servers in their home country with a dependable VPN. This is particularly useful in the postseason, when missing even one game might result in missing a pivotal point on the path to the Super Bowl. As usual, it’s crucial to select a reliable VPN provider and make sure that using a VPN conforms with the terms and conditions of the streaming service.
| NFL Playoffs Broadcasters Around the WorldFans outside the US can watch the NFL Playoffs through a mix of international broadcasters and official streaming partners. Here’s how coverage typically breaks down by region:United StatesCBS FOX NBC ESPN / ABC Amazon Prime Video (select games)United Kingdom & IrelandSky Sports NFL ITV / Channel 5 (selected games, including the Super Bowl)CanadaTSN CTV RDS (French-language coverage) AustraliaESPN Australia Kayo Sports 7mate / 7plus (selected games, including the Super Bowl)Europe (Selected Countries)DAZN (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and select markets) ProSieben MAXX (Germany – selected games) Sky Deutschland / Sky Italia (selected regions)Middle East & North Africa (MENA)beIN SportsIndia & South AsiaSony Sports Network SonyLIV (streaming)Sub-Saharan AfricaSuperSportGlobal Streaming OptionNFL Game Pass (via DAZN) Available in many countries worldwide, offering live playoff games, replays, and highlights. |
The NFL Playoffs feature the top teams from both conferences, the AFC (American Football Conference) and the NFC (National Football Conference). Each season, the strongest teams from the regular season qualify, setting up a knockout-style tournament where every game is win or go home.
A total of 14 teams make the playoffs:
This includes division winners and wild card teams—sides that didn’t win their division but earned a playoff spot based on their overall record.
The AFC playoff picture often includes some of the league’s most explosive offences and elite quarterbacks. Teams that regularly feature in the AFC playoffs include:
These teams battle through the AFC bracket for a chance to reach the Super Bowl.
The NFC side of the playoffs is known for physical defences, strong rushing attacks, and historic franchises. Common NFC playoff contenders include:
Only one team from the NFC will survive the playoff rounds to reach the Super Bowl.
2026 NFL Playoffs—Competing Teams
Once the playoffs begin, regular-season records no longer matter. Upsets are common, rivalries intensify, and momentum can change everything. For fans, this means high-stakes football, dramatic finishes, and some of the most memorable games of the season.
As the playoffs progress, the field narrows from Wild Card Weekend to the Divisional Round, Conference Championships, and finally, the Super Bowl.
The 2026 NFL Playoffs—Brackets Breakdown
The NFL Playoffs are some of the most exciting weeks in the sports calendar, and UK fans have plenty of ways to follow the action live. Whether you choose free-to-air TV, full Sky Sports coverage, or flexible streaming through NFL Game Pass, there’s an option for every type of viewer. With the teams with the most 11+ wins in NFL playoff history, this is going to be one of the most exciting and intense playoffs to be played, so sit tight, get glued to your screens, and get ready for the ultimate showdown!
The NFL Playoffs usually begin in early January, following the end of the regular season, and run through to the Super Bowl in February.
A total of 14 teams qualify for the NFL Playoffs each season, seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC.
Some playoff games are shown live on free-to-air UK channels such as ITV or Channel 5, depending on the season. These typically include selected Wild Card games, at least one Conference Championship game, and the Super Bowl.
For full coverage, Sky Sports NFL is the most comprehensive option. It broadcasts every playoff game live, along with expert analysis, commentary, and post-game coverage.
Yes. NFL playoff games can be streamed online through services such as Sky Go, NOW, and NFL Game Pass, depending on your subscription and location.
Kick-off times vary, but UK viewers can expect:
Yes. Apps like Sky Go, NOW, and NFL Game Pass allow you to watch playoff games on mobile devices, tablets, and laptops.
If you’re travelling abroad, access to UK streaming services may be restricted. Many fans use a VPN to securely access their usual platforms, provided this complies with the streaming service’s terms and conditions.
NFL Game Pass is a streaming service that offers live playoff games, full replays, condensed matches, and highlights. It’s ideal for fans who want flexibility or can’t watch every game live.
Most NFL playoff games last around three hours, though close games and overtime can extend the broadcast.
