With the start of the NFL season just around the corner, fans across the UK are gearing up for a thrilling few months of action-packed football. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens in the opening game. But for British fans, staying up to catch every play live at 1 AM can be quite the challenge. Fortunately, there’s a growing number of ways to catch all the excitement, and a relatively new contender in the UK sports scene is causing a stir—DAZN.

While Sky Sports has long been a go-to for NFL fans in the UK, DAZN’s NFL International Game Pass is offering fans a new way to follow the sport, and many are starting to take notice. With a 10-year rights deal that gives fans unprecedented access to live games, replays, and more, DAZN has positioned itself as a serious contender for NFL coverage in the UK.

The Rise of NFL Popularity in the UK

The NFL’s popularity in the UK has skyrocketed in recent years, and for good reason. The NFL London Games have brought the full spectacle of American football to British shores, allowing fans to experience the thrill of live games. Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are household names in the U.S., have developed loyal followings across the Atlantic.

The Chiefs, especially, have captured the attention of UK fans thanks to their back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and the sheer star power of Mahomes. The added drama of off-field events, such as Welsh rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit’s short-lived stint with the Chiefs, only adds to the intrigue.

A New Era for NFL Coverage in the UK

Until recently, UK-based NFL fans have had to make a choice: stick to free terrestrial broadcasts or invest in Sky Sports’ premium coverage. For years, Sky has been the dominant player in NFL broadcasting, offering live coverage of the biggest games and access to its acclaimed NFL RedZone channel. However, in February of last year, DAZN entered the picture with a game-changing 10-year partnership to distribute the NFL International Game Pass. For NFL superfans, this new service promises more content, flexibility, and access than ever before.

The Game Pass offers full access to every NFL game, including live streams and replays, along with a library of documentaries, behind-the-scenes content, and commentary. For fans of less popular NFL teams, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Green Bay Packers, this service is a godsend. Rather than scrambling to find highlights of their team’s games—which often aren’t shown live on UK television—fans can now watch full replays whenever they want.

A Fan’s Perspective: Why DAZN is Worth It

NFL superfan Isaac Johnson recently gave DAZN’s NFL International Game Pass a spin and shared his thoughts on the experience. Like many UK fans, Isaac had grown accustomed to relying on Sky Sports for his NFL coverage, but when DAZN announced its new NFL rights deal, he was eager to give it a try. His reaction? Pure amazement.

“Quite frankly, I was amazed when I logged into my account for the first time and saw the variety of content on offer—it really is hugely impressive,” said Isaac. “Maybe this is expected given DAZN’s rights deal with the NFL, but there really is nowhere else that offers such extensive coverage.”

One of the standout features for Isaac was the ease of navigating through DAZN’s vast library of content. “Almost every game can be watched live at your leisure, skipping easily between matches as though choosing between films or TV programmes. The user interfaces on each section and within videos are simple, clear, and easy to understand.”

In addition to live games, DAZN offers a unique “story-so-far” feature, which allows users to catch up on key moments in a game they may have missed. This is perfect for fans who tune in late or want to skip through the highlights without watching the full game. “It’s one of those features that makes watching football so much easier for fans like me who might not have the time to catch every single moment live,” Isaac said.

Another major plus is the ability to pause, rewind, and replay footage at any point during the game. This level of control is something many UK fans have craved for years, and DAZN delivers it flawlessly.

Half the Price, Double the Value?

One of the biggest selling points for DAZN is its affordability. In comparison to traditional sports subscriptions like Sky Sports, which can be quite costly, DAZN offers its NFL Game Pass at a much lower price point. For many fans, this has been the final push needed to make the switch.

“After years of paying for Sky, getting NFL coverage at half the price through DAZN was a no-brainer,” Isaac explained. “And the amount of content I got for that price really surprised me.”

While Sky Sports remains a popular choice for NFL fans, particularly those who enjoy a wider range of sports content, DAZN’s focused approach is winning over fans who are only interested in football. The lower price tag combined with a wealth of extra content—documentaries, interviews, and even original NFL programming—makes it an attractive option for both hardcore and casual fans alike.

The Drawbacks of Switching to DAZN

Despite all its perks, DAZN isn’t perfect. For UK fans who enjoy the sense of community that comes with watching games live on Sky Sports, the switch to a more on-demand service can feel isolating. There’s also the fact that DAZN, while offering more NFL content, doesn’t provide the same breadth of sports coverage that Sky does. This means that fans who want to watch multiple sports throughout the year may still prefer Sky’s all-encompassing service.

Then there’s the issue of internet connectivity. Streaming platforms like DAZN require a strong, stable internet connection, and for fans in rural or less-connected areas, this could be a barrier to fully enjoying the service.

So, Is DAZN Worth the Switch?

For NFL fans, the answer seems to be a resounding “yes.” DAZN’s NFL International Game Pass is a must-have for those who want access to every game, full replays, and exclusive content at an affordable price. It’s particularly appealing for fans of less popular teams or those who are tired of Sky Sports’ more limited NFL coverage.

As Isaac Johnson put it, “Signing up for DAZN is British football fans’ first touchdown of the season.”

So, as the NFL season kicks off, UK fans have more options than ever before for following their favorite teams. Whether you’re staying loyal to Sky Sports or making the jump to DAZN’s Game Pass, one thing is certain: the NFL’s popularity in the UK is only going to keep growing, and with more ways to watch than ever before, it’s a great time to be a fan.