Arsenal's Premier League matches are on NBC and Peacock, but not every game

Peacock carries some Arsenal matches through NBC's Premier League broadcast rights, but you won't find every game on the platform. The reason is that NBC's rights package doesn't include all 380 Premier League matches each season. NBC has the rights to show a set number of matches per week, and which teams appear depends on the fixture schedule and NBC's selection of which games to broadcast.

If an Arsenal match isn't on Peacock, it's because NBC didn't purchase the broadcast rights to that particular fixture. Other broadcasters—primarily cable channels like CNBC, USA Network, and Telemundo—hold rights to different matches. Some matches also air exclusively on cable and are not available on Peacock at all.

Key Takeaways

  • NBC owns the Premier League broadcast rights in the United States but only broadcasts a portion of the 380 matches each season, so not every Arsenal game appears on Peacock.
  • Matches are distributed across NBC, CNBC, USA Network, Telemundo, and cable-only broadcasts, so you may need to check multiple sources to find a specific game.
  • Peacock requires a paid subscription to watch most Premier League matches, though some matches air free on NBC's main channel.
  • The fixture schedule and NBC's selection of which games to promote determine which Arsenal matches appear on Peacock each week.

How NBC's Premier League rights work

NBC Sports holds the exclusive broadcast rights to show Premier League matches in the United States. However, those rights cover only a subset of the 380 matches played each season. NBC divides the matches it does broadcast across its owned channels and streaming platform to reach different audiences.

Each week, NBC selects which matches to broadcast based on competitive interest, scheduling, and its own programming strategy. A match involving a top team like Arsenal might be chosen for prime-time broadcast on Peacock, or it might be assigned to a cable channel instead. The Premier League itself doesn't decide which broadcaster shows which match—that's determined by NBC's distribution plan.

Where to find Arsenal matches if they're not on Peacock

If an Arsenal match doesn't appear on Peacock, check these other NBC-owned platforms and channels. CNBC and USA Network both carry Premier League matches throughout the season. Telemundo broadcasts matches in Spanish. Some matches air only on cable and are not available on streaming services at all.

The easiest way to find where a specific match is broadcasting is to visit the official Premier League website or NBC Sports' Premier League schedule page. Both list the broadcaster and channel for every fixture. You can also search the match date and "where to watch" to find current information.

Peacock subscription requirements for Premier League matches

Most Premier League matches on Peacock require a paid Peacock subscription. Peacock offers two tiers: a free ad-supported version with limited sports content, and a paid Premium subscription that includes most Premier League matches. Some matches air free on NBC's main broadcast channel and may also stream free on Peacock, but this is not the standard.

If you have a cable subscription that includes NBC Sports, you may be able to authenticate your Peacock account to watch matches without paying for Peacock Premium separately. Check your cable provider's terms to confirm whether this option is available to you.

Why NBC doesn't broadcast every match

The Premier League generates revenue by selling broadcast rights in different regions. In the United States, NBC paid for the rights to broadcast a set number of matches per season—not all of them. The remaining matches are either broadcast in other countries or not televised in the U.S. at all.

This is standard practice for sports broadcasting. The league maximizes revenue by selling different packages to different broadcasters and regions. Fans in the UK see more matches because Sky Sports and BT Sport together hold rights to a larger portion of the schedule. In the U.S., NBC's package is smaller, so some matches straightforward aren't available to watch legally on American television or streaming services.

Checking the schedule before game day

To avoid disappointment, check where an Arsenal match is broadcasting at least a day before kickoff. The NBC Sports website and the official Premier League app both show the broadcaster for each fixture. You can also set reminders on your phone or calendar so you don't miss a match you want to watch.

Fixture schedules can change, and broadcast assignments sometimes shift, so information closer to the match date is more reliable than information from weeks earlier. If you see conflicting information about where a match will air, trust the official NBC Sports or Premier League sources over third-party sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Arsenal matches on Peacock without paying?

Some matches air free on NBC's main broadcast channel and may stream free on Peacock, but most Premier League matches on Peacock require a paid Premium subscription. Check the specific match listing to see whether it's free or requires payment.

Do all Premier League teams have the same broadcast availability?

No. NBC selects which matches to broadcast based on competitive interest and scheduling. Top teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool tend to appear more often on Peacock, while matches involving lower-ranked teams are more likely to air only on cable channels or not at all in the U.S.

What if an Arsenal match isn't on any NBC platform?

Some Premier League matches are not broadcast in the United States at all. In those cases, there is no legal way to watch the match live on American television or streaming services. This happens because NBC's rights package doesn't include every fixture.

Can I watch Arsenal matches on other streaming services?

No. NBC holds exclusive rights to Premier League broadcasts in the U.S., so no other streaming service carries these matches. You must use Peacock, NBC, CNBC, USA Network, or Telemundo depending on which broadcaster has the rights to the specific match.

How far in advance does NBC announce which matches will be on Peacock?

NBC typically announces the broadcast schedule for the upcoming week a few days before matches air. The full season schedule is released before the season begins, but specific channel assignments may not be finalized until closer to game day.