Where to watch NFL games depends on which games you want and how much you want to spend
The NFL is split across five broadcasters: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video. Each one has the rights to certain games, and you cannot watch all of them through a single subscription. CBS and Fox show Sunday afternoon games (different regions get different matchups). NBC shows Sunday Night Football. ESPN shows Monday Night Football. Amazon Prime Video shows Thursday Night Football. If you want to watch your team every week, you may need more than one service, or you may need to use a cable or satellite subscription that bundles multiple channels.
The cheapest way to watch depends on which games matter to you. If you only care about one team and they play mostly on one network, you might need just one streaming service. If you want to follow the playoffs and Super Bowl, those air on multiple networks and may require different subscriptions or a cable login.
Key Takeaways
- NFL games are broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video, and no single subscription covers all of them.
- Sunday afternoon games on CBS and Fox are split by region, so your location determines which games you can watch.
- Cable or satellite subscriptions (Comcast, DirecTV, Charter) include all five networks and let you stream through the networks' apps, but cost more than standalone streaming services.
- Amazon Prime Video ($14.99 per month or $139 per year) is the only standalone service that shows Thursday Night Football exclusively.
- ESPN+ ($11.99 per month) shows some Monday Night Football games, but not all, and requires a cable login to watch others.
CBS and Fox Sunday games: regional broadcasts and streaming options
CBS and Fox split Sunday afternoon NFL games by region. Your zip code determines which game you see at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. You cannot choose a different region's game through streaming alone — the broadcast is locked to your location.
To watch these games, you have three routes. First, you can watch on cable or satellite (Comcast, DirecTV, Charter, Verizon Fios, or others). Second, you can use Paramount+ (CBS games) or Fox Now (Fox games), but both require you to log in with a cable or satellite account. Third, you can use a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, which includes CBS and Fox and costs $55 to $76 per month depending on the service and package.
If you do not have cable and do not want to pay for a live TV service, you cannot watch these games through streaming alone. Some games air on local broadcast TV if you have an antenna, but this depends on your market and the game.
NBC Sunday Night Football and ESPN Monday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football requires either cable, a live TV streaming service, or a login to the NBC app with a cable account. Peacock (NBC's streaming service) shows some Sunday Night Football games, but you still need a cable login to watch most of them. Peacock costs $5.99 per month (with ads) or $11.99 per month (ad-free), but the cable login requirement means you cannot use it as a standalone option.
ESPN Monday Night Football works the same way. ESPN+ ($11.99 per month) shows some Monday Night games, but most require a cable login through the ESPN app. If you have cable or a live TV streaming service, you can watch all Monday Night games. If you do not, you can watch only the games ESPN+ streams exclusively, which varies week to week.
Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football
Amazon Prime Video is the only place to watch Thursday Night Football. The service costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. You do not need a cable login. If you already subscribe to Prime Video for movies and shipping, Thursday Night Football is included at no extra cost.
All Thursday Night games are on Prime Video, with no regional blackouts. You can watch on any device: phone, tablet, computer, or TV. The broadcast includes pregame and postgame shows. If you miss a game, you can usually watch it on-demand for a few days after it airs.
Playoffs and Super Bowl
Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN depending on the year and round. The Super Bowl rotates among these networks. This means you may need access to multiple services to watch all playoff games, or you may need cable or a live TV streaming service.
Check the NFL schedule in January to see which network is broadcasting each playoff game. If you do not have that network, you can either buy a live TV streaming service for the month or use a cable login if you have one. Some bars and restaurants show all games, which is another option if you do not want to subscribe.
Live TV streaming services: the all-in-one option
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all include CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. They cost between $55 and $76 per month depending on which channels you add. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV include all four networks in their base package. Sling TV requires you to add channels separately, which can lower the cost if you only want some networks.
These services let you watch games live or record them to watch later. You can stream on multiple devices at once (the number depends on the service). Most offer a free trial period, usually seven days. If you want to watch most NFL games without cable, a live TV streaming service is the most complete option, but it costs more than buying individual services.
All three services work on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick. You can also use the individual network apps (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) if you log in with your live TV service account.
Cable and satellite: the traditional route
Comcast, DirecTV, Charter, Verizon Fios, and other cable and satellite providers include all five networks that broadcast NFL games. You can watch on your TV or stream through the network apps by logging in with your cable account. Cable and satellite packages start around $50 to $80 per month, though prices vary widely by provider and location.
The advantage of cable or satellite is that you get all networks and can watch any game without worrying about regional blackouts or missing a service. The disadvantage is cost and the need to have a technician install equipment. Many people are cutting cable because streaming is cheaper, but if you want the simplest way to watch all NFL games, cable or satellite is still an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games for free?
Some games air on local broadcast TV if you have an antenna and live in the right market. The NFL also streams some games free on its website and app, but availability is limited and varies by game. Most games require a subscription or cable login.
What if I only want to watch my team?
Check your team's schedule to see which network broadcasts most of their games. If most games are on one network, you may only need one subscription. For example, if your team plays mostly on CBS, you could use Paramount+ with a cable login, or a live TV service. Some teams have more games on different networks, which may require multiple subscriptions.
Do I need cable to use Paramount+, Fox Now, or the NBC app?
Yes. Paramount+ (CBS), Fox Now (Fox), and the NBC app all require you to log in with a cable or satellite account to watch most games. If you do not have cable, you need a live TV streaming service instead, or you need to use Amazon Prime Video for Thursday games only.
Is there a way to watch all NFL games with one subscription?
No single subscription covers all NFL games. A live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV gets you CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, but not Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football. To watch every game, you would need a live TV service plus Prime Video, or cable plus Prime Video.
Can I watch games on my phone or tablet?
Yes. All the services mentioned — Paramount+, Fox Now, NBC app, ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, and live TV services — have apps for phones and tablets. You can watch live games or on-demand replays on any device. Some services limit how many devices can stream at once, so check the terms for the service you choose.