Want to watch basketball in the UK? Basketball is easier to watch legally in the UK than most fans think. You can watch NBA live, EuroLeague, British Basketball League, NCAA college basketball and FIBA games on your TV, phone, Fire TV Stick or laptop.
The problem is that basketball rights in the UK are split. No single app shows everything. This guide explains where to watch basketball in the UK, what is free, what is paid, and how to choose the best option for the league you follow.
Where to Watch Basketball in the UK: Quick Answer
If you want to watch basketball live in the UK, these are the main legal options:
- NBA League Pass for every NBA game live and on demand
- Sky Sports for selected NBA games, EuroLeague and major basketball events
- TNT Sports for selected NBA games and EuroLeague coverage
- BBC Sport for British basketball, highlights and live radio
- DAZN and EuroLeague TV for selected EuroLeague and European basketball
- YouTube for official NBA highlights, FIBA highlights and some live games
If you only follow the NBA, NBA League Pass is usually the best choice. If you follow NBA plus EuroLeague and British basketball, you will need a combination of one paid service plus free BBC and YouTube coverage.
Where to Watch NBA in the UK
The NBA is the most searched basketball league in the UK. If your goal is to watch NBA live in the UK, start here.
NBA League Pass
NBA League Pass is the official NBA streaming service. It shows every NBA game live and on demand, including regular season, play in, playoffs and Finals. You can choose home and away commentary, watch in HD and 4K for selected games, and use catch up and condensed game replays.
You can watch NBA League Pass on Fire TV Stick, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, phone, tablet and laptop. It offers monthly and season passes, plus a team pass if you only follow one NBA team.
Sky Sports
Sky Sports shows selected NBA games live in the UK, usually the best Thursday, Friday and Sunday night games. You can watch Sky Sports through Sky Stream, Sky Q, NOW or Virgin Media. Sky Sports is good if you want NBA plus Premier League and other sports in one package.
TNT Sports
TNT Sports shows selected NBA games live in the UK. You can watch TNT Sports through Discovery Plus, BT TV, Sky, Virgin Media or EE. TNT Sports is good if you also want Champions League football and EuroLeague basketball.
BBC Sport and YouTube
BBC Sport does not show live NBA games, but it shows NBA news, interviews and highlights. The official NBA YouTube channel shows free highlights, top 10 plays and some live press conferences.
If someone promises you every NBA game plus every EuroLeague game for a few pounds a month through an unknown IPTV code, it is not a legal UK service. NBA rights in the UK belong to the NBA, Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Where to Watch EuroLeague in the UK
EuroLeague is the second most popular basketball competition for UK fans, especially for fans of European teams.
EuroLeague games in the UK are shown on a mix of:
- EuroLeague TV, the official EuroLeague streaming service, for live games and replays
- Sky Sports and TNT Sports, for selected EuroLeague games with English commentary
- DAZN, for selected European basketball coverage depending on the season
Check the official EuroLeague schedule before the season starts, because UK rights for EuroLeague can change from season to season. EuroLeague TV is usually the most reliable option if you follow one EuroLeague team every week.
Where to Watch British Basketball in the UK
British Basketball League is the top professional league in the UK. It is the best option if you want to support a local team and watch live games in person and online.
Where to watch British Basketball League:
- BBC Sport shows selected British Basketball League games, highlights and news
- Official club channels and YouTube show highlights, interviews and some live games
- Sky Sports shows selected British Basketball games and finals
British basketball is also the best value option. Many games are free or low cost, and you can watch a full season without a big sports subscription.
Where to Watch NCAA and College Basketball in the UK
NCAA March Madness is very popular in the UK, especially for fans who follow US college basketball.
In the UK, NCAA basketball is usually shown on:
- Sky Sports for selected March Madness games
- TNT Sports for selected NCAA games
- ESPN Player and official NCAA channels for highlights and replays
March Madness games start late in the UK because of the time difference. If you watch NCAA live, use catch up and condensed replays, or watch the early games on a weekend afternoon UK time.
How to Watch Basketball Free in the UK
You can watch a lot of basketball free in the UK, legally.
Free basketball options in the UK:
- BBC Sport: British basketball, highlights and news
- YouTube: Official NBA highlights, FIBA highlights, EuroLeague highlights
- ITVX and Channel 4: Selected live basketball events and documentaries
- BBC Sounds and talkSPORT: Basketball news and interviews
Free options will not give you every live NBA game. For full live NBA coverage you need NBA League Pass or a Sky Sports or TNT Sports package.
How to Watch Basketball Online in the UK
Most UK basketball fans now watch online, not through a satellite dish.
Best ways to watch basketball online in the UK:
- NBA League Pass app: Best for every NBA game live and on demand
- NOW app: Best for Sky Sports NBA games without a long contract
- Discovery Plus app: Best for TNT Sports NBA and EuroLeague games
- BBC iPlayer: Best for free British basketball and highlights
- YouTube app: Best for free daily NBA highlights
If you watch basketball on a Fire TV Stick in the UK, use only the official app from the Amazon Appstore. If a basketball app asks you to sideload an APK, enter a code from Telegram and pay with crypto, it is not a legal UK service.
How Much Does It Cost to Watch Basketball in the UK?
The cost to watch basketball in the UK depends on which league you follow.
- Free: BBC Sport and YouTube cost nothing extra beyond your internet and TV Licence if you watch live TV.
- Team pass: NBA League Pass team pass is the cheapest way to follow one NBA team all season.
- Full NBA: NBA League Pass full season pass costs more, but it gives you every NBA game, which is cheaper per game than buying single game passes.
- Multi sport: NOW Sports day passes and month passes are good if you want NBA plus Premier League football. Sky Stream with Sky Sports is better if you watch sport almost every day.
Check the official NBA, Sky Sports and TNT Sports price pages before you buy. Season passes and Black Friday offers change every year.
Our Service: How We Help UK Basketball Fans
Our service is built for UK basketball fans who do not want to waste time searching for where a game is on.
What you get with our service:
- A clear weekly guide to where to watch NBA, EuroLeague and British Basketball in the UK
- A comparison of NBA League Pass, Sky Sports, TNT Sports and free options, so you can see which one covers your team
- Setup guides for Fire TV Stick, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV and Apple TV
- Advice on internet speed, 4K, catch up and replays, so you do not miss tip off
- Support in English for UK viewers, with UK kick off times and UK prices
We do not promise every basketball game in the world for a few pounds. We help you choose the legal UK service that actually shows the games you want to watch, in HD, with English commentary and with a proper refund policy.
If you follow the NBA, start with NBA League Pass. If you follow NBA plus football and EuroLeague, compare NOW and Discovery Plus first. Our comparison table below shows you which option fits your team and your budget.
Call to action: See our UK basketball comparison and choose your plan. Test the app on your device, check the schedule for your team, and start watching this week.
How to Choose the Best Way to Watch Basketball in the UK
Use this checklist to choose how to watch basketball in the UK:
1. Which league do you follow?
NBA only: NBA League Pass. EuroLeague only: EuroLeague TV. British Basketball: BBC Sport and club channels. NBA plus football: NOW or Sky Stream.
2. How often do you watch?
If you watch one game a week, a NOW day pass or a monthly NBA League Pass is enough. If you watch basketball almost every night, a full season pass is better value.
3. What device do you use?
Fire TV Stick, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, Android TV, Apple TV, phone and laptop all support NBA League Pass, NOW, Discovery Plus and BBC iPlayer. Test the app before you pay.
4. What is your internet speed?
For stable HD basketball you need around 10 Mbps. For stable 4K basketball you need around 25 Mbps. Use Ethernet or 5 GHz WiFi if your TV is far from the router.
5. Do you need catch up?
NBA League Pass is best for catch up, because you can watch full replays and condensed 10 minute games. Sky Sports and TNT Sports also offer catch up on their apps.
FAQ: Watch Basketball in the UK
Where can I watch NBA live in the UK?
You can watch NBA live in the UK on NBA League Pass, Sky Sports and TNT Sports. NBA League Pass shows every game, Sky Sports and TNT Sports show selected games.
Can I watch basketball free in the UK?
Yes. You can watch British basketball, NBA highlights and FIBA highlights free on BBC Sport and YouTube. You can also watch selected live games free on BBC and Channel 4.
What is the cheapest way to watch NBA in the UK?
The cheapest legal way is to buy an NBA League Pass team pass if you follow one team, or a NOW Sports day pass when your team plays a big game on Sky Sports.
Can I watch basketball on Firestick in the UK?
Yes. Download the official NBA app, NOW app, Discovery Plus app or BBC iPlayer app from the Amazon Appstore on your Fire TV Stick. Do not sideload unknown basketball apps.
Do I need a TV Licence to watch basketball in the UK?
Yes, you need a TV Licence to watch any live TV in the UK, including live basketball on BBC, ITV, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, and to use BBC iPlayer.
Can I watch EuroLeague in the UK?
Yes. You can watch EuroLeague in the UK on EuroLeague TV and on selected Sky Sports and TNT Sports games. Check the official EuroLeague schedule for UK broadcast details.
Can I watch NCAA March Madness in the UK?
Yes. You can watch selected March Madness games in the UK on Sky Sports and TNT Sports, plus highlights on ESPN and YouTube.
Final Recommendation
If you want to watch basketball in the UK without hassle, start with this combination:
- NBA League Pass for every NBA game
- BBC Sport and YouTube for free British basketball and NBA highlights
- NOW or Discovery Plus if you also want EuroLeague and football
That combination covers almost all the basketball a UK fan actually watches, legally, in HD, on any device, with UK commentary and UK kick off times.
