Sky Sports vs Now Sports: Cheaper for Occasional Viewers?

For occasional viewers, Now Sports is generally cheaper than a Sky Sports subscription, because you can buy a day or week pass only when you actually want to watch, instead of paying a monthly fee all year round. This article compares the two services in detail, explains how each works, and helps you decide which one fits your viewing habits and budget.

Formula

The calculator estimates your yearly cost for Now Sports and Sky Sports, then shows the difference. The formulas are:

• Now Sports yearly cost = (number of events per month) × (day pass price) × 12
• Sky Sports yearly cost = (monthly price) × 12
• Yearly savings with Now = Sky yearly cost − Now yearly cost

Variables:

• t – events per month: how many separate days you buy a Now pass in a typical month (no unit, integer 0–31).
• p – Now Sports day pass price in pounds (£).
• m – Sky Sports monthly price in pounds (£).

All prices are in GBP. The calculator uses the day pass price because that is the most flexible option for occasional viewers; week and month passes exist but are less relevant for someone who watches rarely.

Worked Example

Suppose you watch 2 events per month, buy a day pass each time at £11.98, and Sky Sports costs £25 per month. The calculation:

1. Now yearly cost = 2 × £11.98 × 12 = £287.52
2. Sky yearly cost = £25 × 12 = £300.00
3. Yearly savings with Now = £300.00 − £287.52 = £12.48

So with 2 events per month, Now is only slightly cheaper. If you watch 3 events per month, Now becomes more expensive: 3 × £11.98 × 12 = £431.28, which is £131.28 more than Sky. The break-even point is roughly 2.08 events per month (25 ÷ 11.98).

Background: How Sky Sports and Now Sports Work

Sky Sports is a traditional subscription TV service. You pay a fixed monthly fee (often bundled with other Sky channels or broadband) and get access to all Sky Sports channels on your TV, via the Sky Q box, or through the Sky Go app. It is a rolling monthly contract unless you choose a longer deal, and it includes a wide range of live sports: Premier League football, Formula 1, cricket, golf, tennis, and more.

Now Sports (formerly Now TV) is Sky’s streaming-only service. It offers the same Sky Sports channels but without a contract. You can buy a day pass (currently around £11.98), a week pass (around £14.99), or a monthly membership (around £34.99, but often discounted for new customers). The day pass gives you 24 hours of access from the moment you activate it; the week pass gives 7 days; the month pass gives 30 days. You can cancel anytime, and there is no equipment to install – just an app on your phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV.

The key difference is flexibility. Sky Sports locks you into a monthly commitment, while Now Sports lets you pay only for the days you actually watch. For someone who only tunes in for a big fight, a few football matches, or a Grand Prix weekend, the day pass is usually the cheapest route.

How to Choose: Occasional vs. Regular Viewing

Deciding which is cheaper depends entirely on how often you watch. Use this simple rule:

• 0–2 events per month: Now Sports day passes are almost always cheaper than a Sky Sports subscription.
• 3 or more events per month: A Sky Sports subscription (or a Now Sports month pass) may be better value, especially if you watch multiple events on the same day.
• Every week or more: Sky Sports or a Now month pass is likely cheaper per event, but check for introductory offers – Sky often discounts the first few months for new customers.

Also consider that a Now day pass covers all Sky Sports channels for 24 hours. If you watch three matches on a Saturday, that is one day pass, not three. The calculator above assumes you buy one pass per event day, which is realistic for most occasional viewers.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common mistake is forgetting that Now Sports passes auto-renew. If you buy a week pass, it will automatically renew every week unless you cancel. The same applies to month passes. Set a reminder to cancel right after the event if you only wanted one-off access.

Another misconception is that Now Sports is always cheaper. It is not – if you watch a lot, the per-day cost adds up quickly. For example, watching every Premier League weekend (roughly 4–5 days per month) with day passes would cost around £48–£60 per month, which is more than a Sky subscription.

Also, be aware of regional differences. Sky Sports and Now Sports are available in the UK and Ireland only. Prices and channel line-ups can change, and some events (like certain boxing matches) are pay-per-view on top of the subscription – that applies to both services.

Cost Comparison: Day, Week, and Month Passes

Here is a rough price breakdown (as of early 2025, but always check the official sites for current prices):

• Now Sports day pass: ~£11.98 – best for one-off events.
• Now Sports week pass: ~£14.99 – good for a tournament week (e.g., Wimbledon, a Grand Prix weekend).
• Now Sports month pass: ~£34.99 – often discounted to £20–£25 for new customers. Good for a busy month.
• Sky Sports monthly subscription: ~£25–£30 (when bought as a standalone add-on to Sky TV). Often bundled with broadband or other channels, which can lower the effective cost but requires a longer contract.

For an occasional viewer, the day pass is the baseline. If you know you will watch several days in one week, the week pass saves money compared to buying multiple day passes. The month pass only makes sense if you watch more than two days per week on average.

Alternatives to Sky Sports and Now Sports

If you are an occasional viewer, there are other ways to watch live sport without a full Sky subscription:

• Free-to-air channels: In the UK, BBC and ITV show selected live events (e.g., Wimbledon, some England football matches, the Olympics). No subscription needed.
• Other streaming services: Amazon Prime Video has some Premier League matches, Discovery+ shows Eurosport content (including cycling and tennis), and DAZN covers boxing and other sports. Each has its own pricing, often with no contract.
• Pubs and clubs: Watching in a pub or social club costs nothing but the price of a drink, and you get the big-screen atmosphere.
• Highlights and clips: If you do not need live action, free highlights are available on YouTube, BBC Sport, and Sky Sports’ own website (often within a day).

These alternatives are not direct replacements for Sky Sports, but they can cover a lot of what an occasional viewer wants without any subscription.

How to Get the Best Value

If you decide Now Sports is right for you, here are practical tips to keep costs down:

• Wait for a discount code – Now Sports frequently offers day passes for £9.99 or less, especially around big events.
• Share a day pass? Not officially, but a day pass works on multiple devices, so you could split the cost with a friend (check the terms – streaming on more than one screen at a time may not be allowed).
• Buy a week pass only if you will watch on at least 2–3 days in that week; otherwise, stick to day passes.
• Set a calendar reminder to cancel any auto-renewing pass immediately after the event.
• If you are a Sky TV customer already, adding Sky Sports to your existing package might be cheaper than Now Sports – compare the add-on price to your expected Now pass usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel Now Sports anytime?

Yes. Now Sports is rolling, meaning you can cancel your pass or membership at any time. If you buy a day pass, it simply expires after 24 hours and does not auto-renew (unless you opted for a week or month pass, which do auto-renew). You can manage cancellations in your account settings.

Do I need a Sky box to use Now Sports?

No. Now Sports is a streaming service. You can watch on a smart TV, phone, tablet, computer, games console, or a streaming stick like Roku or Amazon Fire TV. You just need a decent internet connection.

Is Now Sports the same as Sky Sports?

Now Sports carries the same Sky Sports channels (Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League, Football, Cricket, Golf, F1, etc.) but it is a separate streaming product. The content is identical, but Now Sports has no contract and no satellite dish.

What if I only want to watch one specific match?

A Now Sports day pass is perfect. Buy it on the day of the match, watch it live, and it expires 24 hours later. You will not pay for the rest of the month. Just make sure you activate the pass before the event starts.

Are there any hidden fees with Now Sports?

No hidden fees, but watch out for auto-renewal on week and month passes. Also, some major boxing events are pay-per-view on top of the pass – that is separate and not included in the day pass price.

Which is better for a family that watches different sports?

If different family members watch different sports on different days, Now Sports day passes can still work, but a month pass or Sky subscription might be more convenient and cost-effective. For example, if one person watches football on Saturday and another watches F1 on Sunday, that is two day passes – £23.96 – which is close to a month pass. In that case, a month pass or Sky Sports add-on could be better value.

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in t | Number of events per month | - | 2 | 0 | 31
in d | Days per month you watch | - | 4 | 0 | 31
in p | Now Sports day pass price (£) | - | 11.98 | 0 | 100
in m | Sky Sports monthly price (£) | - | 25 | 0 | 200
out yearly_now | Now Sports yearly cost (£) | (t * p * 12) | 2
out yearly_sky | Sky Sports yearly cost (£) | (m * 12) | 2
out savings | Yearly savings with Now (£) | (m * 12) - (t * p * 12) | 2