First match confirmed for 5's new NFL Big Game Night
Washington Commanders v New York Giants is the first NFL match which will be broadcast as 5's new NFL Big Game Night series.
The NFL is back on free-to-air TV in the UK in a bold new format, as Channel 5 launches NFL: Big Game Night with a clash between two old rivals – the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants. The Week One matchup takes place under the lights at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, and will be the curtain-raiser for a season of Sunday night drama.
Dermot O’Leary fronts the coverage from 5:30pm, joined by Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek and two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora, who will guide viewers through the action, stories and spectacle of America’s biggest sport.
Rivalry Renewed
Last season’s encounters between these NFC East foes were tight, bruising affairs. The Commanders edged both contests – a 21-18 victory at home before backing it up with a 27-22 win at MetLife Stadium. Those results helped Washington to a 12-5 record and a spot in the play-offs, while the Giants were left ruing narrow margins. With bragging rights, divisional momentum and early-season confidence all on the line, the rematch promises more of the same.
A New Way to Watch
But Big Game Night isn’t just about touchdowns and tackles. In partnership with Hungry Bear Media – the creative force behind Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel and Gladiators – Channel 5 is unveiling a fresh entertainment twist.
During breaks in the US broadcast, the action continues in the UK with a “game within a game.” Two teams of family and friends will go head-to-head in studio challenges, representing the Commanders and the Giants. Their chance to score points is tied directly to the fortunes of their chosen NFL team – they can only win when their side has possession. Prizes are up for grabs, and the nightly winners will take on one final game for the chance to bag a holiday to an NFL city in the United States.
It’s fast, frantic, and designed to keep the whole family engaged while the gridiron drama unfolds.
The Night Rolls On
When the first game wraps up, the evening doesn’t stop. At 9pm, coverage switches over to 5ACTION – soon to be rebranded 5NFL – where Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora take the reins for in-depth analysis of the late game. They’ll be joined by weekly guests to dissect plays, debate storylines and deliver expert insight for hardcore fans.
With live football, family fun, and a new level of interactivity, NFL: Big Game Night sets out to bring the greatest show on turf to a wider UK audience. And with the Commanders and Giants ready to renew hostilities, week one offers the perfect stage for a fresh era of NFL coverage.