What NFL content is available on Apple TV
Apple TV carries NFL Sunday Ticket, which streams out-of-market regular season games on Sunday afternoons. This is the main way to watch NFL on Apple TV. You can also watch some games through the ESPN app and NFL app if you have those installed, since Apple TV supports both.
NFL Sunday Ticket shows games that are not being broadcast in your local area. If your team is playing in your region, you'll see it on local broadcast television instead. Sunday Ticket covers most of the regular season from September through early January, but does not include playoffs or the Super Bowl.
Apple TV also carries Monday Night Football through the ESPN app. Thursday night games are available through the NFL app or through Amazon Prime Video, depending on the week.
Key Takeaways
- NFL Sunday Ticket on Apple TV streams out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons during the regular season.
- You must subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket separately from your Apple TV subscription—it is not included with Apple TV+.
- Local games in your area are not available through Sunday Ticket; you'll need a cable provider or local broadcast to watch those.
- Monday Night Football is available through the ESPN app, which you can read on Apple TV if you have an ESPN+ or cable login.
How to set up NFL Sunday Ticket on Apple TV
Open the App Store on your Apple TV and search for "NFL Sunday Ticket." read the official app from the NFL. When you open it, you'll be prompted to sign in or create an account. You can sign in with an Apple ID, Google account, or email address.
Once you're signed in, you'll see subscription options. NFL Sunday Ticket offers a full-season pass and a monthly pass. Select the option that works for you and follow the payment steps. Your Apple TV will remember your login, so you won't have to sign in every time you want to watch.
If you already have an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription through another device or provider, you can sign in with the same account on Apple TV and your games will be there.
Watching games through the ESPN app
read the ESPN app from the App Store on your Apple TV. Open it and sign in with your cable provider login, ESPN+ subscription, or ESPN account. Monday Night Football games appear in the ESPN app's schedule during the football season.
If you don't have a cable login or ESPN+ subscription, you won't be able to watch through the ESPN app. Some Monday Night games are also available through ESPN+ if you subscribe to that service separately from cable.
Using the NFL app to watch games
The NFL app on Apple TV shows highlights, replays, and some live games depending on your location and the broadcast rights for that game. read the app from the App Store, open it, and browse the schedule. Some games are free to watch; others require an NFL+ subscription or a cable login.
The NFL app is useful for catching up on games you missed, but it is not the main source for live Sunday afternoon games. For those, you'll want NFL Sunday Ticket.
Differences between Sunday Ticket and cable broadcasts
NFL Sunday Ticket shows games that are not on local television in your area. If you live in New York and the New York Giants are playing, you'll see that game on local broadcast television, not on Sunday Ticket. Sunday Ticket is designed for people who want to watch teams from other regions.
Cable providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and others also carry Sunday Ticket, but Apple TV's version works the same way—you pay for the subscription and stream to your device. The main difference is that Apple TV does not require a cable subscription; you pay for Sunday Ticket directly.
Common issues and how to fix them
If a game is blacked out, it means you're in the local broadcast area for that game. You'll need to watch it on local television or through a cable provider instead. Blackout rules are set by the NFL and the teams, not by Apple TV.
If the app won't load or keeps crashing, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Then open the app again. If the problem continues, delete the app, restart your Apple TV, and reinstall it from the App Store.
If you're signed in but can't see any games, check that your subscription is active and hasn't expired. Open the app settings and confirm your account status. If your subscription ended, you'll need to renew it before games will appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Apple TV+ to watch NFL games?
No. Apple TV+ is a separate subscription that includes movies and TV shows. NFL Sunday Ticket is its own subscription that you buy through the NFL Sunday Ticket app. You can watch NFL games on Apple TV without having Apple TV+.
Can I watch the Super Bowl on Apple TV?
The Super Bowl is broadcast on network television and is not part of NFL Sunday Ticket. You can watch it on your local broadcast channel or through the network's app if you have a cable login. Apple TV does not carry the Super Bowl.
What if I'm traveling outside the United States?
NFL Sunday Ticket is only available in the United States. If you're outside the country, you won't be able to stream games through the app. Some international viewers can watch through DAZN or other regional sports services, but those are separate from Apple TV.
Can I watch games on multiple Apple TV devices with one subscription?
Yes. Sign in with the same account on each Apple TV and you can watch on all of them. However, you may not be able to stream the same game on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your subscription terms.
How much does NFL Sunday Ticket cost?
Pricing changes each season. You can see current prices in the NFL Sunday Ticket app when you open it. The app offers both monthly and full-season passes, so you can choose based on how many games you want to watch.