Explained: Why Southampton vs Arsenal Isn’t on TV in the UK Today | OneFootball

Why Southampton vs Arsenal Is Not on TV in the UK Today

As the Premier League season draws to a close, all eyes are naturally on the biggest narratives of the final day. Yet, for Arsenal supporters keen to watch their side sign off against Southampton, the news is not what they might have hoped for — the match is not being televised live in the UK.

While other fixtures with higher stakes have been selected for broadcast, this particular match has slipped through the net, leaving fans to search for highlights or follow via live updates. It is a curious yet entirely logical outcome in a season where broadcasting priorities are increasingly driven by final-day drama.

Arsenal’s Season Concludes Quietly on the South Coast

Arsenal arrive at St Mary’s having already secured a second-place finish in the Premier League and with it, a return to the Champions League. Their 1-0 victory over Newcastle in the penultimate round was a case of businesslike execution, underlining the progress made under Mikel Arteta, even if the title challenge ultimately fizzled out sooner than many had hoped.

Photo: IMAGO

What’s left is a match devoid of consequence, at least from a standings perspective. Southampton, long relegated, have endured a dismal campaign, and for them, this final fixture is more a formality than a farewell parade. For Arsenal, the game serves as a punctuation mark to what has been a season of tangible improvement yet lingering frustration.

TV Rights and the Final-Day Puzzle

So why isn’t Southampton vs Arsenal on TV in the UK?

The answer lies in how final-day broadcast rights are allocated. Sky Sports, which had the first two picks, opted to show Liverpool vs Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea — matches where the result carries significant weight in the race for European qualification.

Liverpool, crowned Premier League champions, will lift the trophy at Anfield. That ceremony, plus the atmosphere surrounding it, guarantees compelling television. Meanwhile, Forest and Chelsea are both still mathematically in the fight for a Champions League place, making their encounter another prime selection.

TNT Sports, with the third choice, selected Manchester United vs Aston Villa. Again, it is a match laced with narrative tension. Villa, still harbouring hopes of European football, must beat a wounded United side, bruised from their Europa League final loss to Tottenham.

All of which leaves Arsenal, already confirmed runners-up and facing a Southampton side with nothing to play for, as an afterthought — at least in the eyes of broadcasters.

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Premier League’s Broadcast Focus Reflects Drama, Not Prestige

That Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in England, are not on TV on the final day might seem surprising. Yet it’s a reflection of how live broadcast decisions are made. Prestige and pedigree alone no longer guarantee coverage. Stakes matter more than status.

With five clubs still in the mix for Champions League qualification, broadcasters are naturally drawn to fixtures with live permutations. That Southampton vs Arsenal is a “dead rubber” is not a slight on the Gunners, but rather a sign of how broadcast priorities are evolving.

Arsenal’s Attention Turns to Summer and Beyond

For Arsenal supporters, the lack of TV coverage is a minor annoyance in what has otherwise been a year of forward momentum. A return to Europe’s elite competition has been achieved, and while the Premier League title remains elusive, the squad and style of play offer genuine reasons for optimism.

Mikel Arteta now faces a crucial summer. Recruitment will be key, particularly with Champions League football on the horizon. There’s also the need to deepen the squad, sharpen the attack, and instil the sort of resilience that saw Manchester City pull away in the title run-in.

As for today, the match may be off-screen for UK fans, but its implications — however minimal — still form part of the broader Premier League tapestry.