NFL Playoff Schedule UK 2026: Official GMT Dates & TV Guide

The wait is over. The 2025 NFL regular season has officially concluded, and the road to Super Bowl LX begins now. For American football fans in the United Kingdom, this marks the start of the “sleep deprivation season”, a thrilling, month-long stretch of late nights, early mornings, and desperate coffee runs.

The bracket is set. We have seen a stunning resurgence from the New England Patriots and a shock exit for the Kansas City Chiefs, guaranteeing a new champion will be crowned in February. But for UK viewers, the excitement is often matched by the logistical nightmare of navigating US time zones.

Forget trying to convert Eastern Time in your head at 2 AM. This guide is your definitive resource for the entire NFL playoff schedule UK. We have converted every kick-off into accurate GMT format and compile a complete guide on where to watch the action, whether you subscribe to Sky Sports, stream on DAZN, or are waiting for free-to-air coverage on ITV.

Here is everything you need to plan your post-season viewing.

Full 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule (GMT Times)

The post-season is a single-elimination tournament. Win and advance; lose and go home.

Below is the confirmed schedule for every round. We have used the 24-hour clock to ensure absolute clarity between evening games and those that spill into the early hours of the following morning.

Wild Card Weekend: 10–13 January 2026

The playoffs begin with “Super Wild Card Weekend,” featuring six games spread across three days.

The highlight for UK fans is undoubtedly the Sunday evening slot. The Buffalo Bills taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at 18:00 GMT offers perfect prime-time viewing without wrecking your Monday morning. However, dedicated fans will need to prepare for three distinct 01:00 starts.

Saturday, 10 January

Sunday, 11 January (Early Morning)

Sunday, 11 January

Monday, 12 January (Early Morning)

Tuesday, 13 January (Early Morning)

Divisional Round: 17–18 January 2026

The eight remaining teams battle for a spot in their respective conference finals. The No. 1 seeds from the AFC (Denver Broncos) and NFC (Seattle Seahawks) enter the fray here after enjoying their first-round bye weeks.

Historically, the NFL schedules these four games with two on Saturday evening/Sunday morning and two on Sunday evening. Specific times will be confirmed by the league following the conclusion of Wild Card weekend. Keep this page bookmarked for updates.

• Saturday, 17 January: Two games (Times TBC)

• Sunday, 18 January: Two games (Times TBC)

Conference Championships: Sunday, 25 January 2026

This is the final hurdle before the Super Bowl. The AFC and NFC champions are crowned on the same day.

Based on traditional scheduling slots, UK fans can expect the first game (usually the NFC Championship) to kick off around 20:00 GMT, with the second game (AFC Championship) following at approximately 23:30 GMT.

• NFC Championship Game: Approx 20:00 GMT (Sky Sports / DAZN)

• AFC Championship Game: Approx 23:30 GMT (Sky Sports / DAZN)

How to Watch NFL Playoffs in the UK: Sky Sports, ITVX & DAZN

Watching the NFL in the UK has never been easier, but choosing the right platform depends on whether you want UK-based studio analysis, the authentic American broadcast, or a free-to-air option for the big game.

Sky Sports NFL & Main Event

As per their long-standing broadcast deal renewed in 2025, Sky Sports remains the primary home for live NFL coverage in the UK.

Throughout the regular season, Sky operates the popular NFL RedZone channel on Sunday evenings. However, for the playoffs, RedZone ceases operations. Sky Sports NFL (channel 407) will show every single playoff game live in its entirety.

Sky’s coverage features their dedicated UK studio team, providing pre-game, half-time, and post-game analysis tailored specifically for a British audience. You can watch via a Sky Q or Sky Glass subscription, or stream flexibly using a NOW Sports Membership.

NFL Game Pass on DAZN (The “Authentic” Experience)

For fans who prefer the US broadcast experience, NFL Game Pass via DAZN is the essential choice.

DAZN holds the international streaming rights and will show every playoff matchup live and on-demand. The key difference here is the presentation. DAZN provides the direct feed from the US networks (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN). This means you get the original American commentators, US commercials, and access to alternative broadcasts like the “ManningCast” if available.

If you want to feel like you are watching in the States, DAZN is the platform. They offer various subscription tiers, including end-of-season passes specifically for the playoffs.

Super Bowl LX on ITVX (Free-to-Air)

If you are a casual fan only interested in the biggest event of the year, you do not need a subscription.

Under current broadcasting arrangements, the Super Bowl is shown live on free-to-air television in the UK. ITV1 and ITVX will broadcast Super Bowl LX live on Sunday, 8 February 2026. Their coverage typically includes their own on-site studio team, bringing the atmosphere of the host stadium directly to UK living rooms.

The 2026 Playoff Bracket & Seeding Explained

Fourteen teams have qualified for the post-season tournament, seven from the American Football Conference (AFC) and seven from the National Football Conference (NFC).

Seeds are determined by regular-season records and tie-breaking procedures. The higher seed always hosts the lower seed until the Super Bowl, which is played at a neutral site.

AFC & NFC Top Seeds: The Bye Week Advantage

The most coveted prize in the regular season is the No. 1 seed. This year, the Denver Broncos (AFC) and the Seattle Seahawks (NFC) secured the top spots.

Why does this matter? These two teams get a crucial rest this week. They automatically advance to the Divisional Round and guarantee home-field advantage throughout their respective conference playoffs. Every other team must survive the gruelling Wild Card weekend to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.

[View final 2025 NFL standings here]

UK Fan’s Survival Guide: Managing the 1 AM Kick-offs

As someone who has covered the NFL in the UK for over a decade, I know the “Monday morning struggle” is very real during the playoffs.

The schedule throws up unique challenges. That Chargers vs. Patriots game on Sunday night isn’t really Sunday night; it kicks off at 01:00 GMT on Monday morning. If you work a standard 9-to-5, you have a decision to make.

Here are a few pro-tips for managing the schedule:

1. Pick Your Battles: Don’t try to watch everything live. The Sunday 18:00 and 21:30 games are manageable. For the 01:00 starts, decide which teams you truly care about.

2. Utilise “Condensed Games”: If you can’t stay up, both Sky Q and DAZN offer condensed highlights the next morning. These cut out the huddles and commercials, showing you every play of the game in roughly 40 minutes.

3. The Social Media Blackout: If you plan to watch a replay on Monday evening, you must avoid social media immediately upon waking up. Turn off app notifications for the NFL app and Twitter (X) to avoid spoilers before you get home.

Super Bowl LX: Venue, Date, and UK Kick-off Time

The ultimate goal is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

• Event: Super Bowl LX (60)

• Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026

• Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

• UK TV Channel: ITV1, Sky Sports NFL, DAZN

• UK Kick-off Time: Expected 23:30 GMT

Because the game is being played on the US West Coast (Pacific Time), the kick-off is slightly later than usual for UK viewers. Expect the game to finish around 03:30 GMT on Monday morning. Many fans across the UK will already have Monday, 9 February, booked off work as annual leave, it’s practically an unofficial holiday for the British NFL community.

Conclusion

The 2026 post-season is wide open. Without the Kansas City Chiefs patrolling the AFC, the path to the Lombardi Trophy feels fresher than it has in years.

For UK fans, the next month requires stamina, caffeine, and careful planning. Clear your diary for the 18:00 kick-off this Sunday between the Bills and Jaguars, and get your viewing setups ready. The road to Santa Clara starts now.

FAQs

What time is the NFL playoff game on tonight in the UK?

Check the schedule above for exact times. Mid-week playoff games are rare, with most action occurring over the weekend. The final game of Wild Card weekend is the Steelers vs Texans clash, kicking off at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday morning, 13 January.

Which UK channel is showing the NFL playoffs?

Sky Sports NFL shows every playoff game live. DAZN streams every game live with US commentary. ITV will show the Super Bowl live.

Is the Super Bowl on free TV in the UK in 2026?

Yes. Super Bowl LX will be broadcast live on ITV1 and streamed on ITVX on Sunday, 8 February 2026.

How can I watch the NFL playoffs for free in the UK?

Only the Super Bowl is available on free-to-air television via ITV. To watch the Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference rounds, you need a subscription to Sky Sports, NOW TV, or DAZN.

What time does Super Bowl LX start in GMT?

Kick-off is scheduled for approximately 23:30 GMT on Sunday, 8 February.

Why is the Monday Night Football game on Tuesday morning in the UK?

The final Wild Card game is played on Monday night in the US. Due to the five-hour time difference between the UK and the US East Coast, an 20:00 ET kick-off translates to 01:00 GMT on Tuesday morning.

Do the Denver Broncos have a first-round bye?

Yes. As the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Denver Broncos automatically advance to the Divisional Round and do not play during Wild Card weekend.

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Mohammed Saad

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Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

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