What the NFL app subscription costs and includes

The NFL app itself is free to download, but the subscription tier — called NFL+ — costs money and gives you access to live games, replays, and analysis that aren't available in the free version. As of 2024, NFL+ has two tiers: a standard monthly plan and a premium tier called NFL+ Premium.

The standard NFL+ subscription lets you watch live local and primetime games on your phone and tablet, plus full game replays and NFL Network programming. NFL+ Premium adds access to out-of-market games (games happening outside your local broadcast area) and RedZone, which shows you live scoring plays from every game happening at once.

Pricing changes periodically and varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to an annual plan. The NFL also sometimes bundles NFL+ with other services like Peacock (NBC's streaming platform) or offers discounts during the preseason. Check the NFL app directly or NFL.com for current prices, since they shift with promotions and new seasons.

Key Takeaways

  • NFL+ is a paid subscription inside the free NFL app that costs different amounts depending on the tier and whether you pay monthly or yearly.
  • Standard NFL+ covers live local and primetime games on mobile devices, while Premium adds out-of-market games and RedZone.
  • You cannot watch games on a TV through the NFL app subscription alone — you need cable, a cable login, or a separate streaming service like YouTube TV or Peacock.
  • The NFL frequently bundles NFL+ with Peacock or offers discounts during preseason, so prices and what's included can change.
  • Game availability depends on your location, your device type, and which games are being broadcast in your area that week.

What devices work with NFL+ and what doesn't

NFL+ works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android. You can also watch on a computer through a web browser. The major limitation is that you cannot cast or stream NFL+ to a television — the subscription is designed for mobile and computer viewing only.

If you want to watch games on your TV, you have other options: cable with a cable login, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or Peacock (which sometimes includes NFL+ as a bundle). Some games are also broadcast free over the air on network television, which you can watch with an antenna.

The NFL app itself works on smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV, but those versions don't include the NFL+ subscription features — they show you free content, highlights, and let you log in with a cable provider if you have one.

How to set up and manage your subscription

Download the NFL app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open it and look for the NFL+ section, usually visible on the home screen or in a menu. Tap to view the subscription options, select the tier you want, and follow the prompts to enter your payment information.

You can pay using a credit card, debit card, or sometimes through your phone's app store billing (Apple or Google). If you pay through the app store, the charge appears on your phone bill or your app store account rather than as a separate charge from the NFL.

To cancel, go to your account settings within the NFL app or manage your subscription through your phone's settings (under Subscriptions for iPhone, or Google Play for Android). You can also cancel through the app store if that's where you signed up. Cancellations take effect at the end of your current billing period, not immediately.

Which games you can watch depends on your location and device

Local and primetime games are available to everyone with NFL+ on mobile devices, but "local" means the games your regional TV market broadcasts. If you live in New York, you see New York-area games; if you live in Los Angeles, you see Los Angeles-area games. Primetime games are the Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football broadcasts that air nationally.

Out-of-market games — the ones not broadcast in your area — are only available with NFL+ Premium. This is how the NFL protects local TV contracts and cable deals. If you want to watch a team that doesn't play in your region, you need the Premium tier.

Blackout rules still apply in some cases. If a game is not sold out, it may be blacked out in the local market even on NFL+. This is rare but happens occasionally, and you'll see a message in the app if a game is unavailable in your area.

How NFL+ compares to cable and other streaming options

NFL+ is the cheapest way to watch some games on your phone, but it's not a replacement for cable or a full live TV streaming service. Cable and services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV let you watch games on your TV and usually include more channels and sports. They cost more per month but give you access to many more broadcasts.

Peacock (NBC's streaming service) sometimes bundles NFL+ with a Peacock subscription, which can be a better deal if you want both services. Peacock also shows some exclusive games on its own. Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football exclusively, separate from NFL+.

If you only want to watch your team's games and don't need cable for other reasons, NFL+ Premium might be enough. If you want to watch multiple teams, flip between games, or watch on your TV, you'll need a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service.

Troubleshooting common problems

If a game won't load, first check your internet connection — a weak WiFi signal or slow mobile data can cause streaming to fail. Close the app completely and reopen it. If the problem continues, try logging out and logging back in, or reinstalling the app.

If you see a message that a game is not available in your area, that's a blackout or broadcast restriction — it means another service has the exclusive rights to show that game in your region. You can't bypass this through the app. Check your local TV listings to see which channel is broadcasting it instead.

If you're charged but can't access your subscription, check your account settings to confirm the subscription is active and your payment method is current. If your card was declined, the subscription may have lapsed. Resubscribe through the app or your phone's settings.

For technical issues the app troubleshooting doesn't fix, contact NFL customer support through the app's Help section or visit NFL.com/help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch games on my TV with NFL+?

No. NFL+ only works on phones, tablets, and computers. To watch on your TV, you need cable, a cable login, a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, or Peacock (which sometimes includes NFL+ content).

Do I need NFL+ to watch games on network TV?

No. Some games air free on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN and can be watched with an antenna or through those networks' apps if you have a cable login. NFL+ is only for games that aren't broadcast on traditional TV in your area.

What's the difference between NFL+ and NFL+ Premium?

Standard NFL+ covers local and primetime games on mobile. Premium adds out-of-market games (teams outside your region) and RedZone, which shows live scoring plays from all games at once. Premium costs more per month.

Can I share my NFL+ subscription with family members?

NFL+ is tied to your account and login. Sharing your password with others is against the terms of service. Each person who wants access should have their own subscription.

What happens if I cancel my subscription mid-month?

You keep access until the end of your current billing period. Cancellation takes effect on your next renewal date, not immediately. You won't be charged again after you cancel.