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What Is Sky Sports+?
Sky Sports+ is an add-on style service that comes bundled with an existing Sky Sports subscription, rather than something you pay extra for. It was introduced to give sports fans more choice during busy periods when several events clash — think multiple GAA matches, tennis, golf, or motorsport sessions all happening at the same time.
Instead of Sky picking one match or session to broadcast on the main channel, Sky Sports+ opens up additional live streams so you can choose which action to follow. There’s also a dedicated Sky Sports+ channel that sits alongside the existing Sky Sports channel line-up.
Why Sky Introduced It
Live sport rarely happens on a single schedule. During a typical weekend, you might have Six Nations rugby, Premier League football, and golf all overlapping. Traditionally, broadcasters had to prioritise one event on the main channel and leave the rest for highlights or radio commentary.
Sky Sports+ is designed to solve that problem by widening the number of simultaneous live feeds available to subscribers, without changing what you pay for your existing Sky Sports package.
Is There Any Extra Cost?
As far as we understand, Sky Sports+ is included for customers who already subscribe to Sky Sports — it isn’t sold as a standalone add-on with its own separate fee. That said, pricing and packaging details can change, and Sky occasionally adjusts what’s bundled into which tier.
Because of that, we’d recommend checking the current Sky Sports pricing page or your Sky account directly before assuming exactly what’s included, especially if you’re on an older package or a bundle inherited from a previous contract.
What Devices Support It?
Sky Sports+ is generally aimed at customers using Sky’s newer platforms, including:
- Sky Q
- Sky Glass
- Sky Stream
Availability on older set-top boxes, or through third-party smart TV apps, may be more limited. If you’re watching via a smart TV app rather than a Sky-supplied box, it’s worth checking whether Sky Sports+ streams are shown in the same way, as the interface can differ slightly between platforms.
How to Find Sky Sports+ on Your Box
The exact menu wording may vary depending on software updates, so treat the following as a general guide rather than an exact walkthrough:
- Open the Sky Sports section from your home screen or app menu.
- Look for a Sky Sports+ tile, channel, or “more live streams” option, often highlighted when multiple events are running at once.
- Select the event or stream you want to watch — this might open as a dedicated channel number or as an on-screen stream picker.
If you can’t see a Sky Sports+ option, it may be because there isn’t a clash of events at that particular time, since the extra streams tend to appear specifically when multiple matches or sessions overlap.
Checking Listings in Advance
For Irish subscribers planning their weekend viewing, it’s a good idea to check the Sky Sports schedule or your on-screen guide in advance. Sky Sports+ streams are usually tied to specific events, so knowing what’s on and when can help you find the right stream without hunting around during a live broadcast.
A Few Things Worth Confirming Yourself
Because Sky updates its packages and interfaces from time to time, a few details are worth double-checking before you rely on them:
- Whether Sky Sports+ is included with every Sky Sports tier or only specific ones.
- The exact name and location of the option within your particular Sky app or box menu.
- Whether it’s available on your specific device, particularly if you’re using an older Sky Q box or a non-Sky smart TV app.
The safest way to confirm current details is directly through Sky’s official website or your Sky account dashboard, since menu layouts and inclusions can shift with software updates.
The Bottom Line
Sky Sports+ is a useful addition for existing Sky Sports customers in Ireland, offering more live streams and a dedicated channel without an extra charge, at least based on how it’s currently positioned. If you’re a Sky Sports subscriber, it’s worth exploring the option next time multiple big events are on at once — just take a moment to confirm the specifics on your own account first, since details can vary by package and device.
Related guides: Eir Vision Explained: Is Bundling TV with Broadband Worth It? · Sky Stream vs NOW: Which Is Right for You in Ireland?
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