While soaking up the atmosphere at a football or GAA match in person is an amazing experience, if you want to properly see every kick, every foul, every moment up close, then stay at home with your TV.
The picture and sound quality on TVs is so good now that you almost feel like you’re in the crowd at your favourite sporting event. Not to mention how easy it is to stream any sport in high definition!
So how do you choose the best television for sports? Here are our top things to consider…
The best TV sizes for watching sports
When choosing the right TV, size always matters.
55" to 64": Ideal for smaller rooms or solo viewing.
65" to 74": The sweet spot for most sitting rooms.
75" and up: Stadium vibes at home - perfect for group viewing.
It’s best to pick a TV size that complements the size of your room and how far your couch is from your TV. On our TV Buying Guide, you’ll find a tool that will help you find your perfect TV size based on the distance between your couch and screen.
Need help choosing? Here’s what size TV you should buy based on your room size.
Essential TV features for watching sports
If you’re serious about sport, these features are a must-have. So, keep your eyes open when you’re looking for the best TVs to buy in 2026.
120Hz+ refresh rate minimises motion blur.
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) keeps motion smooth during high-speed changes. It’s traditionally a term more familiar to gamers but also applies to high-speed sports like hurling.
High brightness (1,000+ nits) is great for daytime viewing – especially during those sunny All Ireland afternoons.
Anti-glare coatings ensure there are no reflections on your TV to distract you.
HDR10+ / Dolby Vision helps keep colour and picture looking true to life.
Motion interpolation settings also reduce blur when turned on.
Voice control is great for in-the-moment questions or commands like switching to a different match.
Best Samsung TV for sports
Samsung Q7F 55" QLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV
The Samsung Q7F has a fantastic 55” QLED display. The colours are validated by Pantone and, with Real Quantum Dot, everything you watch will have lifelike, natural colours – nothing too saturated and nothing washed out. It has a Q4 AI Processor which automatically upscales all content to 4K quality. The visuals aren’t the only impressive thing about this TV; it also has Object Tracking Sound Lite which makes the audio more realistic by following all the onscreen action from football to movies.
Best OLED TV for sports
Sony Bravia 8 55” OLED Mini LED TV
The Sony Bravia 8 has a Mini LED OLED display with over 8 million self-lit pixels, making your content look amazing no matter the brightness of the room or distance from the TV. Its XR Processor upscales everything to make it feel more real. This TV really pops with its sound, with Acoustic Surface Audio+, which turns the screen into a speaker, Dolby Atmos to create a surround sound experience and Voice Zoom 3 to boost audio in quiet scenes.
Best TV for watching movies and sports
Sharp 4T-C65JP7265IB 65” Mini LED TV
The Sharp 4T Mini LED TV is great for watching sport during the daytime thanks to its QLED display, while its Mini LED keeps dark scenes dark, making it perfect for cosy nights in. Dolby Vision HDR continuously adjusts the colour and the contrast so every scene is perfectly balanced and punchy. For audio, it has both Dolby Atmos for surround sound and Harman Kardon for a cinema-quality sound.
Best premium TV for sports
LG G5 65” OLED evo TV
The LG G5 OLED evo TV is one of the best 65” TVs for sports, filled with premium tech to enhance your viewing experience. It’s designed to be wall-mounted with a built-in mount and an ultra-slim profile. It has AI Super Upscaling to ensure everything is 4K quality, while its Brightness Booster Ultimate makes the display three times brighter than your average OLED. It has Dolby Atmos to create a surround sound experience and AI Sound Pro to enhance it further.
Optimising your TV for sports
So, you’ve picked your new TV for watching sports and had it delivered. Let’s make sure your setup is match-ready:
Use Sports Mode for colour and motion clarity
Tweak motion smoothing to avoid the artificial ‘soap opera’ effect
Boost brightness for daytime viewing
Calibrate colour settings for natural tones on and off the pitch
Check your internet speed for smooth streaming
What’s next?
Want more help choosing your perfect TV? Browse all TVs, check our TV Buying Guide or explore QLED, OLED and Mini LED TVs to find your ideal screen.
FAQs
Is a high refresh rate essential for football and F1?
Yes - 120Hz or higher keeps motion smooth and blur-free. That’s essential for catching those 200km/h corners or screaming free kicks.
How do I reduce glare in daytime sports viewing?
You can make sure a window isn’t facing your TV or buy a TV with an anti-glare coating and high brightness levels, which are both becoming more common.
How do I access 4K sport?
If you’re streaming, Netflix and Amazon Prime TV both offer 4K streaming. For live sports, while RTÉ and Virgin don’t broadcast 4K content, you can get 4K sports on Sky and TNT.
