If you've ditched your cable company in favor of one (or several) video streaming services, you can still watch NFL games. On-demand services, such as Disney+ and Netflix, don't offer live sports, so you must subscribe to a live TV streaming service to catch the gridiron action.
Not every live TV streaming service is ideal for NFL fans, though, as some are missing key channels. You should also consider the features and other streaming content a service offers to determine which one is the best value for your household. If you don't know where to start, check out our guide to the best video streaming services for your budget.
Here we've gathered the best streamers for catching America's favorite sport, from dedicated services to more general options that bring a host of other sports, shows, and movies to your TV. Read on for our top picks, followed by everything you need to know about streaming NFL games.
Is There a Streaming Service for NFL Games?
NFL games generally air during four time slots on different networks throughout the regular season:
Thursday Night Football (Prime Video)
Sunday afternoons (CBS and FOX)
Sunday Night Football (NBC)
Monday Night Football (ESPN)
Last season, playoff games were split between CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC, channels that you can get with a live TV streaming service. In addition, US holidays affect the schedule, which means that there may be multiple games on a Thursday or a game on Saturday. Consult the schedule below for details on watching those games.
Under this most recent deal, the broadcast rights for Sunday afternoons, Sunday nights, and Monday nights remain the same. Super Bowl coverage will rotate between ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, while NFL Network retains rights to some exclusive games. Both Thursday Night Football and Monday Night Football games are subject to flex schedules with this new contract; in other words, the NFL can change which games air during these primetime slots based on what will make for more entertaining matchups.
However, the agreement also signals a dramatic shift in the NFL's support for streaming services. One major change is that Prime Video became the exclusive broadcaster of Thursday Night Football. Other changes also recently took effect. For example, NBC began streaming Sunday Night Football games this season on Peacock, much like CBS does for Sunday afternoon games on Paramount+. We hope ESPN+ starts to carry NFL games that air on ABC or ESPN.
DirecTV's rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket package expired at the end of the 2022 season, and those rights have now shifted over to YouTube TV. Which NFL games you can watch on Sunday afternoons depends on where you live. These games are carried on local CBS and FOX affiliate channels and are subject to the same blackout rules as cable broadcasts. You will get other Sunday afternoon games in addition to those involving your local team, but how many and which ones are not always easy to determine. Check out 506Sports' regional NFL coverage maps each week for all the details.
The NFL matchups on Sunday nights and every other day of the week are national broadcasts, so everyone will see the same game regardless of where they live. Playoff games and the Super Bowl are also televised to national audiences. NFL fans don't have to navigate the mess that is regional sports network (RSN) broadcast rights; all these channels are available in most broadcast markets and on most live TV streaming services.
Even with the upcoming changes, the NFL's current streaming strategy still isn't ideal. It puts the burden on fans to pay for and manage multiple streaming services at a time. The NFL also doesn't seem to recognize that a location-based strategy is ineffectual at reaching modern audiences, especially those who don't live in their favorite team's home market.
Can You Stream NFL Commentary Shows?
Many of the major NFL commentary shows air on channels we already mentioned, but some do not. For example, Nickelodeon now offers a weekly, family-friendly NFL highlights show, NFL Slimetime, hosted by Nate Burleson and Young Dylan, alongside correspondent Dylan Schefter. DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu, Philo, and YouTube TV all offer Nickelodeon. Eli and Peyton Manning will also call some Monday Night Football games on ESPN2 this season; this broadcast is simulcast on ESPN+. DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV's Orange Plan, and YouTube TV all have ESPN2 in their lineups.
The NFL RedZone channel is another option for people who want to watch scoring highlights on Sunday afternoons or keep up with fantasy football stats in real time. Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube TV offer add-ons with this channel.
How to Stream NFL Games
This season, each team will play 17 regular-season games, plus three weeks of preseason games. You can find the preseason schedule on the NFL's official site. For more on how to watch every big game, we will update the schedule throughout the NFL season.
How to Watch NFL via Cable and Over-the-Air Streaming
One of the easiest ways to ensure complete coverage of national and in-market games is to sign up for a cable plan. Note that if you go this route, you will likely pay more money than you would with any video streaming service. You'll also lose out on other conveniences, such as better-designed interfaces and support for more platforms. NFL Sunday Ticket is one of the few legitimate options for watching out-of-market regular-season games live. This service is available as a cable add-on or online for people who are unable to get DirecTV cable.
Streaming cable over the air via an antenna is another option for watching broadcast channels, such as CBS, FOX, and NBC, though your success may vary depending on your location and the strength of the signal in your home. You also must buy and set up an antenna for this method. Sling TV is the only video streaming service on this list that integrates with over-the-air channels.
How Can I Stream NFL Games for Free?
The cheaper initial NFL+ tier has largely replaced the free viewing options previously found on the Yahoo Sports app and NFL app. If you want to watch football, you're going to spend some cash.
However, you can consider setting up a digital antenna to watch games on the major broadcast channels. These devices are relatively cheap and don't require a monthly subscription.
Video Streaming Services: What You Should KnowThe Best Sports Streaming Services
If you are looking to watch sports other than the NFL, check out our roundup of the Best Sports Streaming Services. We also have roundups of the Best MLB Streaming Services, Best NBA Streaming Services, and Best NHL Streaming Services. We cover everything you need to know about RSNs in these roundups, since many MLB, NBA, and NHL games don't air as national broadcasts.
