Virgin Media recently took over TV3 and its associated channels, rebranding to Virgin Media One, Two and Three. The network is now launching a brand new dedicated sports channel called Virgin Media Sport, which will be home to the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. In this article, we tell you how to get access this new station.
Let’s start with the good news; Virgin Media Sport, launching today is available to all TV customers, including non-Virgin Media customers - so don’t worry if you get your TV elsewhere, you’ll still be able to get in on the action for an extra price.
How much does Virgin Media Sport cost?
Existing Virgin Media Customers:
If you’re an existing Virgin Media TV customer - good news! You’ll get access to Virgin Media Sport at no extra cost as it’s included as part of your standard channel line-up.
If you’re a Virgin Media broadband or mobile customer, you can get access to Virgin Media Sport for an extra €10 per month and you’ll get the first two months for free!
Non-Virgin Media Customers:
If you’re not a Virgin Media customer but would like access to Virgin Media Sport, you can get access to it along with the rest of Virgin Media’s TV channels, via the Virgin TV Anywhere App for €20 per month.
What’s included with Virgin Media Sports?
Virgin Media Sport is the new home for top-class European football and is where you can catch every single Champions League and Europa League game as well as the qualifiers for UEFA Euro 2020.
The channel will feature top-class analysis and highlights while Graeme Souness will continue to provide award-winning commentary and opinion.
The channel will be live for the first match of the season on September 18th.
Will the Virgin TV Anywhere App be available on Smart TVs?
The app is available on tablets, smartphones and laptops but not as a Smart TV app. However, the Virgin Media TV channels can be casted to a Smart TV.
Which matches will be free-to-air?
Sports fans will enjoy the same number of free-to-air matches. TV3 has always shown a game on Tuesday night and Virgin Media One will show the first game of the week at 6PM. RTE will show the second game at 8PM, which Virgin Media Sport will also broadcast at 8PM with its own commentary and analysis.
As well as the Tuesday game, the finals and a highlights show on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week will all be free-to-air.
Virgin Media will also host six extra pop-up sports channels to cover overlapping fixtures.
Will Sky or eir be carrying Virgin Media Sport?
No, the new channel is exclusively available to Virgin Media TV customers or via the Virgin TV Anywhere App.
Upcoming UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League Fixtures:
UEFA Champions League: Tuesday, 18th September
| Fixture | Kick-Off | Channel |
| Barcelona v PSV Eindhoven | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport |
| Inter Milan v Tottenham | 17:55 | Virgin Media One |
| Liverpool v Paris SG | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport |
| Monaco v Atletico | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 1 |
| Red Star Belgrade v Napoli | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 2 |
| Brugge v Borussia Dortmund | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 3 |
| Schalke v Porto | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 4 |
| Galatasaray v Lokomotiv Moscow | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 5 |
UEFA Champions League: Wednesday, 19th September
| Fixture | Kick-Off | Channel |
| Shakhtar v Hoffenheim | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 1 |
| Ajax v AEK Athens | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 2 |
| Young Boys v Man United | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport |
| Man City v Lyon | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 1 |
| Valencia v Juventus | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 2 |
| Real Madrid v Roma | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 3 |
| Benfica v Bayern Munich | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 4 |
| Viktoria Plzen v CSKA Moscow | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 5 |
UEFA Europa League: Wednesday, 19th September
| Fixture | Kick-Off | Channel |
| PAOK Salonika v Chelsea | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport |
| Villarreal v Rangers | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 1 |
| Marseille v Eintracht Frankfurt | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 2 |
| Sevilla v Standard Liege | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 3 |
| Rapid Vienna v Spartak Moscow | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 4 |
| Vidi v BATE | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 5 |
| Besiktas v Sarpsborg | 17:55 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 6 |
| Celtic v Rosenborg | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport |
| Arsenal v Vorskla | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 1 |
| Dudelange v AC Milan | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 2 |
| Leipzig v Salzburg |
20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 3 |
| Sporting Lisbon v Qarabag | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 4 |
| Olympiacos v Real Betis | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 5 |
| Dinamo Zagreb v Fenerbahce | 20:00 | Virgin Media Sport Extra 6 |
Looking for more info on Virgin Media Sport?
Check out how we got on at the channel launch:
If you're interested in finding out where to catch the very best in sport this season, be sure to check out our blog covering soccer, rugby and GAA as well as our guide to this season's best golf, tennis and athletics.
