Football on TV in August 2026: The best games to watch live

The start of the 2026/27 season is on the horizon, and fans have plenty to look forward to during the early part of the campaign.

With the August schedule packed with eye-catching fixtures, demand for reliable live football streams will be off the scale.

With that in mind, read on as we preview some of the best games to watch live, starting with a blockbuster clash in the Championship.

Cardiff City vs Wrexham – Championship – August 17

Cardiff City may have been hoping for an easier fixture to mark their return to the Championship after a season in the third tier.

The Bluebirds host Welsh rivals Wrexham on the opening weekend and will be desperate to kick off their season with a victory.

There is no love lost between these two clubs, setting up what promises to be a feisty encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Newcastle United vs Liverpool – Premier League – August 23

Two of last season’s biggest underachievers have been pitched together on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Newcastle United finished in the bottom half of the standings last term, while Liverpool made a truly woeful defence of the title.

Both clubs enter the new campaign with a point to prove, and it will be intriguing to see which one of them comes out on top at St James’ Park.

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao – La Liga – August 27

Defending La Liga champions Barcelona will be eager to lay down an early marker when they welcome Athletic Bilbao on August 27.

Barcelona have strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window and could have more new players in place by the time they face Athletic.

The Basque club were disappointing last season, but will hope to upset the odds when they visit the Nou Camp.

Lille vs Paris Saint-Germain – Ligue 1 – August 28

Lille secured Champions League qualification by finishing third in Ligue 1 last season, and they will fancy their chances of making further progress this term.

They have an early opportunity to make a statement when reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain visit them on August 28.

PSG are bidding to win the Ligue 1 title for the sixth consecutive season and will be keen to make a fast start to the new campaign.

Aberdeen vs Rangers – Scottish Premiership – August 29

Rangers have been left trailing by Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic in recent years, but could turn the tables under new manager Derek McInnes this season.

McInnes came close to winning the title with Hearts last term, but a 3-1 defeat at Celtic on the final day scuppered their chances.

Rangers will hope to start the new season with a flourish, but their trip to Aberdeen on August 29 is a potential banana skin.

Napoli vs Como – Serie A – August 30

Napoli and Como both finished in the top four in Serie A last season. Their clash on August 30 will be a useful guide to their chances of repeating the feat this term.

There was nothing to choose between the two sides last season, with both of their league meetings finishing goalless.

They also needed a penalty shoot-out to separate them in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Como emerged victorious on that occasion.

Monaco vs Marseille – Ligue 1 – August 30

After missing out on Champions League qualification last season, Monaco and Marseille will be eager to enjoy a more productive 2026/27 campaign.

The two sides split their league meetings last term. Marseille triumphed 1-0 on home soil, but Monaco gained their revenge with a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.

Keeping pace with PSG during the first few weeks of the season is rarely easy, cranking up the intensity of this Ligue 1 fixture.

Aston Villa vs Arsenal – Premier League – August 31

Defending Premier League champions Arsenal face an early test of their title credentials when they travel to the Midlands to face Aston Villa on August 31.

Villa finished fourth last season and have given the Gunners plenty to think about in several recent meetings between the two clubs.

Mikel Arteta’s side will want to avoid any early slip-ups in the title race, particularly with some of their main rivals strengthening their squads this summer.