If there’s a big football match coming up, you’ll need the right set-up at home to enjoy the action. Here are some tips to help you get all set for kick-off.
1. Upgrade your TV
No doubt about it. A bigger TV really is better for watching football on.
With a bigger screen you’ll really appreciate the picture quality. So if you get the best TV you can afford, like a super-sharp 4K TV. You’ll see incredible detail on the pitch, from individual blades of grass to the frown on Messi’s forehead.
If you want to really supersize your screen, then think about going for an 8K TV if you’re going for 70-inches or more. With four times the number of pixels than 4K, 8K makes that extra screen size look amazing.
You can watch top-flight domestic football in proper 4K too by subscribing to BT Sport Ultra HD and Sky Sports Ultra HD – two dedicated 4K channels.
2. Wall mount your TV
For a heads-up view of the action, mount your TV on the wall. Make sure the centre of your TV is roughly eye-level with your sitting position on the sofa for maximum comfort.
Worried your room’s a little on the cosy side? The good news is that with a 4K TV you still get a crystal-clear picture even if you’re up close. That’s because the picture doesn’t break down when you get right up to the action, like with bigger HD TVs.
?fmt=auto&$q-large$)
3. Get rid of screen glare
Avoid screen glare by choosing a TV wall mount with a tilting bracket – this way you can angle it away from any reflections. Better yet, find a TV with special anti-glare screen, like the Samsung QN85A Neo QLED 4K TV. Then it’ll never be an issue again.
4. Create big stadium sound
You can’t beat hearing the roar of the crowd as your star striker thumps in a match-winning goal. While your TV’s inbuilt speakers are good enough for watching Corrie, they might need a helping hand to recreate that big game feel.
You can add a sound bar. Compact in size and easy to set up, a good sound bar gives you near surround sound without taking up too much space.
Or hook up a home cinema system. With speakers dotted around the room you’ll hear sound from every angle. To help you decide which is the best choice for you, we’ve explained the differences between a home cinema and soundbar.
5. Have drinks on hand
Be the host-with-the-most without missing a second of the match. Have a mini fridge nearby so that all your favourite cold drinks are to hand.
6. Make some snacks for the gang
You’ll need some snacks to get you through the excitement of the big match. Whip up homemade dips in a mini chopper and serve with toasted pitta and tortilla chips. Or cook up a batch of chilli the night before – perfect to share with friends at half time.
7. Get techy with a tablet
Your tablet can make football more fun, so make sure it’s charged and ready to go. Keep it close at hand so you can search for squad stats. Or check the scores of other matches without having to change channel. You can even use it to tweet about all the game highlights as they happen.
Any questions?
Need more help choosing a TV? Our TV buying guide is a great place to start. You can also take a look at our top questions to ask when buying a TV for sport. If you’d like to talk to an expert, pop in-store or have a video chat using ShopLive.
