August in the UK means one thing for football fans; the return of the Premier League season. Not just in the UK either, the appeal of the Premier League stretches far and wide, with a healthy following in the U.S, Asia and even as far afield as Australia. While live, televised games are few and far between on UK TV, with an iPhone in our pockets we can follow all the action as it happens, wherever we are. Here's a selection of the best, though bear in mind region restrictions may apply.
Sky Sports Football Score Centre
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Sky TV has long held something of a monopoly on televised Premier League games, but they do at least put their access to good use including some good mobile apps. Sky Sports Football Score Centre strips out all those other sports and just focuses on what you want; Football. It covers all domestic leagues down to the Conference as well as a smattering of other European divisions too. It allows you to set up push notifications for your favorite teams, and even has a pub finder to locate a local beer dispensing establishment that is showing live football on Sky Sports. One for all the football fans.
- Free - Download Now
ESPN FC
ESPN FC is another good all-rounder, with a simple layout, and everything you want to follow the Premier League and a whole host of other leagues besides. It isn't the best designed ESPN app at all, but it has everything where it counts. Videos, podcasts, push notifications are all here. But no pub finder in this one.
- Free - Download Now
BBC Sport
The BBC Sport app for iPhone is one of my absolute must haves, not just for football though it is a fantastic choice for that. All the BBC online content is available through the app, including live text commentary, video highlights and interviews, "as it stands" tables as matches are being played, news and a lot more besides.
The BBC may not cover the Premier League live on TV, but they do an incredible job of covering it online and through their mobile app. As it's the BBC, region restrictions come into play, but if you can get it, do.
- Free - Download Now
NBC Sports Live Extra
Confession time; I haven't used this app, nor will I ever. Not because I don't want to, but because NBC is the rights holder to coverage of the Premier League in the United States. So, if you're an American fan of our wonderful Premier League football, the NBC Sports Live Extra app is one to have. Video on demand, live events, push notifications, all are there to help you get the best out of your football experience. Definitely one for the American fans.
- Free - Download Now
BT Sport
BT Sport is the newest player in the Premier League football space, having just launched in time for the new season. The pay-TV channel has snapped up the rights to show a live game from England's top division every week, and a companion iPhone app has come with it. For subscribers, the app allows you to watch live and on demand content broadcast by the channel – including European football and other sports – though you do need to be a subscriber. For Premier League matches the BT Sport app can also act as a second screen experience to go with the game you're watching on your TV.
One thing to note; I get BT Sport through Virgin Media, and as yet I've not worked out if or how I can use this app, since you need a BT ID. If there is a way, hit me up in the comments and let me know. But if you're a subscriber, there's no reason not to get this app to expand your experience.
- Free - Download Now
Your picks
So, those are some of our picks, but what about yours. If you've got a great app to help you get your Premier League fix, particularly outside of the UK, drop a line in the comments and let us know what you're using!
