The Ultimate Guide to the Best Football TV Shows You Need to Watch
I still remember that rainy Sunday afternoon last November. I was curled up on the couch with my laptop, scrolling through streaming services while the sound of pouring rain created a perfect backdrop for what should have been a relaxing day. But instead of feeling calm, I found myself restless, my mind drifting back to that conversation I'd had with my friend Maria just days earlier. We were discussing the recent Champions League final, and she'd said something that stuck with me: "She asked, 'Naisip namin sa mga nangyari, what if isa pa?'" In English, it roughly translates to "We thought about what happened, what if there's another one?" She was talking about football matches, but the sentiment applies perfectly to our endless search for the next great football show to binge-watch.
That question – "what if there's another one?" – captures exactly how I feel every time I finish an incredible football series. There's this mix of satisfaction from what I just watched and this anxious excitement about finding the next show that'll give me that same thrill. It's like being a football manager who just won a major trophy but immediately starts thinking about the next season's campaign. This constant search for quality football content led me to create what I'm calling the ultimate guide to the best football TV shows you need to watch. I've probably spent over 200 hours in the past year alone watching football-related content across various platforms, from Netflix to Amazon Prime to specialized sports streaming services, and I've developed some strong opinions about what's worth your time.
Let me take you back to when I first discovered "Sunderland 'Til I Die" on Netflix. It was during a particularly rough week at work, and I needed something to distract me. What I found was more than just distraction – it was an emotional journey that mirrored the beautiful game itself. The documentary follows Sunderland AFC through their tumultuous 2017-2018 season, and I found myself completely invested in their struggles. The raw emotion of the fans, the pressure on the players, the behind-the-scenes drama – it was all so compelling that I ended up watching all 8 episodes in one sitting. That series taught me that the best football shows aren't just about the sport itself; they're about the human stories that unfold both on and off the pitch. Since its release in 2018, the show has attracted approximately 2.3 million viewers in its first month alone, proving that there's a massive appetite for this type of content.
Then there's "All or Nothing: Manchester City," which provides unprecedented access to one of football's most successful modern clubs. I'll admit – I'm not even a City fan, but this series had me hooked from the first episode. Watching Pep Guardiola's tactical genius up close, seeing how he motivates his players, and getting that locker room access felt like being given a backstage pass to football royalty. The production quality is outstanding, with cameras capturing everything from tense halftime team talks to private moments between players. What makes this series particularly fascinating is how it balances the glamour of elite football with the very real human pressures these athletes face. I remember one scene where Kevin De Bruyne was dealing with an injury, and the frustration was palpable – it reminded me that these superstars are human too.
My personal favorite, though, has to be "The English Game" on Netflix. Created by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame, this historical drama explores the origins of modern football in 19th century England. Now, I know what you're thinking – a period drama about football? Trust me, I was skeptical too, but this show completely won me over. It beautifully illustrates how football transformed from an elite pastime to the people's game, and it does so with compelling characters and genuinely exciting match sequences. The show might take some creative liberties with historical accuracy – I'd estimate about 30% of it is dramatized – but it captures the spirit of the game's evolution in a way that's both educational and thoroughly entertaining.
What all these shows have in common is their ability to make you feel like you're part of something bigger than yourself. They tap into that collective passion that makes football the world's most popular sport, with approximately 3.5 billion fans globally according to FIFA's latest figures. When Maria asked "what if there's another one," she was expressing that universal desire we football fans have – the craving for more stories, more drama, more of that beautiful game that consumes so much of our emotional energy. These shows satisfy that craving between match days, giving us our football fix even during the offseason.
I've noticed that the best football content often comes from unexpected places. Take "Ted Lasso," for instance – on the surface, it's a comedy about an American football coach navigating English Premier League football, but beneath the humor lies a surprisingly profound exploration of leadership, cultural differences, and personal growth. When it first aired in 2020, I didn't expect much from it, but it quickly became one of my favorite shows of all time. The character development across its 3 seasons is remarkable, and it manages to be both hilarious and heartwarming while still respecting the sport it portrays. The show has reportedly increased Premier League viewership in the United States by approximately 15%, proving that good storytelling can bring new fans to the sport.
As I look at my watchlist for the coming months, I'm excited about new football content in development. There are rumors of a documentary following the US Women's National Team and another focusing on South American football culture – both subjects that deserve more screen time. The landscape of football television has evolved dramatically over the past decade, moving from simple highlight reels to sophisticated narratives that explore every facet of the game. Whether you're a casual viewer or a hardcore fanatic, there's something out there that'll capture your imagination and maybe even change how you see the sport. So the next time you find yourself asking "what if there's another one" after finishing a great football show, remember that the beautiful game continues to inspire beautiful stories – and there's always another incredible series waiting to be discovered.