There are loads of great reasons to crowd around the TV, but big sporting events are easily one of the most popular. It can be hard to properly recreate those iconic on-pitch moments at home though. And that’s why you need a telly that’ll beam them right into your living room in the best way possible.

If you’re after a TV that’s made to do exactly that, here’s a few questions to get you started on your search…

1. Should I “go large”?

Yep. It’s a no-brainer as far as we’re concerned. If you can, choose a TV that’s 55" and above. A larger screen means you’ll have a wider viewing angle – letting you see even more of the action.

When watching football on a bigger TV, you’ll spot way more detail than before too. From the player names on the back of their shirts, to the brand of boot the star striker’s wearing, you’ll see it all.

When to choose 8K

If you want to supersize your screen, then the smart option would be to go for an 8K TV. One that’s 70+ inches at least.

Why’s that? When a screen stretches as far as 70-80 inches, even 4K can struggle at times. But with four times the number of pixels, 8K makes light work of that extra screen.

Don’t forget to measure up

You’ll have to think about the size of your room and how far you’ll be sat from the TV though. So don’t buy one that’s too big for the space it’s in. Our viewing distance guide should help:

2. Should I get a TV with HDR?

Before deciding whether you should go with HDR, let’s take a look at what makes it so much better than a regular TV.

What is HDR TV?

HDR – or high dynamic range – is now a 4K and 8K TV staple. It has a wider range of colour, brighter images and much better contrast. This all makes for a way more lifelike picture.

4K UHD and 8K TVs have the power to upscale regular content, bumping up the quality for a far better image. They do this using a really quick processing engine, and the better the processor in your TV is, the better upscaling you’ll enjoy. Basically, the beautiful game is about to get even more beautiful.

3. How can I watch the latest 4K and 8K content?

The great news is that there’s a huge library of content available to watch right now. For live sport in 4K Ultra HD, Sky and TNT Sports both offer Premier League and Champions League football in the format. TNT have recently started to broadcast matches from both competitions in 8K too, for even more eye-popping match ups.

If you’re looking for the latest film or box set to get stuck into after the match, you can stream them directly from Netflix and Amazon. And, if you have Apple TV 4K, you can plug it straight into your telly and enjoy your favourite content immediately.

Vimeo and YouTube are leading the way when it comes to 8K streaming as well. All in all, there’s more than enough entertainment to get your eyes around, that’s for sure.

4. Do processing rates matter?

Absolutely. They’re really important if you are buying a TV for watching sport. A lot of the action is super fast paced - like that winger bursting down the sideline - so you need a TV that can keep up with it. To get that blur-free motion you’ll need decent processing or refresh rates.

A higher processing rate (measured in Hz) means any motion will be ultra-smooth. The higher the number, the more times-per-second the image refreshes on your screen. This helps to create a far more true-to-life picture, as the players will be moving exactly how they would in person. So that means a far more accurate viewing experience – turning those tense moments into serious nail-biters.

5. Do I need to boost my TV’s speakers?

Modern TVs are super slim, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for powerful speakers. Don’t worry though – you can still whip up a big game atmosphere with some extra home cinema tech.

A sound bar goes hand-in-hand with a TV. They’re probably the easiest way to beef up the sound from your telly to get that full stadium experience. These oblong-shaped boxes pack in a few small speakers and a woofer for the bass. And they’re usually small and slim enough to pop under your TV or on your TV stand. They’re easy to set up, clutter-free and (most importantly), sound great.

They’ll transport you right into the thick of the action. Hear the thwack of the ball and the roar of the crowd in true stereo sound to the left and right of you. And with virtual surround sound, every match will be even more immersive. It’s almost like you’re sat in the stadium!

Looking for a star player? We’ll help find the perfect TV for you.