Friday night in the middle of January usually feels like a waiting room for the weekend, but if you’re looking for epl on tv today, things are a bit quiet on the pitch. Honestly, it’s that weird lull. We are currently sitting on Friday, January 16, 2026, and if you flip on the TV expecting a live Premier League match right this second, you’re going to be staring at a lot of punditry and maybe some highlights of last week’s draws.
There isn't a live senior men's Premier League game scheduled for today.
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Most fans get frustrated by this. You’ve got the subscription, you’ve got the snacks, but the schedule says "no." The reality is that the 2025/26 season has been a whirlwind, and today serves as the tactical "deep breath" before Matchweek 22 kicks off tomorrow with a massive Manchester Derby.
Why Today is the Calm Before the Storm
The Premier League doesn't always do Friday Night Football. While it’s become more common over the last couple of years, it’s not a weekly guarantee. Instead, today is largely for the press conferences and the "insider" shows. If you’re in the UK, you might find some Championship action—West Brom is taking on Middlesbrough tonight—but for the top flight, you have to wait.
Tomorrow is the real prize.
Saturday, January 17, is absolutely loaded. We are talking about the Manchester United vs. Manchester City clash at Old Trafford to start the day. That game is a 7:30 AM ET kickoff for the Americans on USA Network, and a lunchtime special for those in the UK.
Where to Watch Tomorrow’s Action
Since you can't watch a live game today, you should probably make sure your apps are updated for the Saturday/Sunday slate. The broadcasting landscape in 2026 is a bit of a maze, but here’s the breakdown of where the big ones are landing:
- Manchester United vs. Manchester City: This is the crown jewel of the weekend. In the US, it’s on USA Network and Universo. In the UK, it’s a Sky Sports main event.
- Liverpool vs. Burnley: Catch this one on USA Network if you're stateside.
- Nottingham Forest vs. Arsenal: This is the late kickoff tomorrow. It’s heading to NBC and Peacock for the US audience.
- The "Peacock Exclusive" Games: Chelsea vs. Brentford, Spurs vs. West Ham, and Leeds vs. Fulham are all tucked away on the streaming service for US viewers.
It's kinda wild how many games are behind the Peacock paywall now. Back in the day, you could just flip through three channels and find everything. Now? You need a spreadsheet.
The Streaming Struggle is Real
Let’s be real for a second. Finding epl on tv today or any day usually involves at least three different logins. If you are in Canada, Fubo is still your one-stop shop, having retained exclusive rights for the 2025/26 season. They make it easy because they just have everything.
In the States, it’s much messier. You need a cable-style package (Sling, Fubo, or YouTube TV) to get the USA Network games, plus a Peacock subscription for the matches they don't air on linear TV.
And don't even get me started on the UK "Blackout" rule. It’s 2026 and we still can’t watch 3:00 PM Saturday games on TV in England. It’s meant to protect stadium attendance, but most fans just find it annoying. If you're in London or Manchester, you're better off going to the pub to hear the radio commentary or watching the "Goal Rush" style shows that talk about the action without actually showing the ball moving.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since the live matches aren't happening today, what's a football addict supposed to do?
- Premier League Today: Most broadcasters (NBC Sports and Sky) run their daily news cycle shows. These are actually great for catching up on injury reports.
- Matchweek 21 Highlights: Go back and look at the 0-0 draw between Arsenal and Liverpool from last Thursday. It was a tactical chess match, though admittedly a bit boring if you like goals.
- Fantasy Premier League (FPL): Today is the deadline for many to tinker with their squads before the Saturday morning lockout. If you haven't swapped out your injured defenders yet, today is the day.
Actionable Steps for the Weekend
Don't wait until 10 minutes before kickoff tomorrow to realize your Peacock sub expired or your cable box needs a software update.
First, check your local listings for the NBC/USA schedule specifically. The times often shift by 30 minutes depending on pre-game coverage. Second, if you're a cord-cutter, make sure your internet can handle the 4K streams that are becoming standard for the "Big Six" matchups.
Finally, keep an eye on the weather in the UK. We've seen some surprise postponements in Januarys past. Even in 2026, Mother Nature doesn't care about your TV schedule.
Get your gear ready, clear your Saturday morning, and prepare for one of the biggest Manchester Derbies in recent memory. The wait for the return of the world's most popular league is almost over.