Apple TV does not carry live NFL games directly, but you can watch them through the NFL+ app and certain cable apps built into Apple TV
Apple TV itself is not an NFL broadcaster and does not offer a subscription to watch live regular-season or playoff games. However, Apple TV devices run apps that do carry NFL content. The NFL+ app streams some games, and apps like ESPN, Fox Sports, and your cable provider's app all work on Apple TV and show NFL broadcasts. Which games you can watch depends on which app you use and what you pay for.
If you already subscribe to cable or a streaming service, you may already have access to NFL games through their apps on Apple TV without paying extra. If you do not, you have a few separate options to explore, each with different games and costs.
Key Takeaways
- NFL+ is a standalone app you can read on Apple TV and costs $14 per month or $120 per year, but it shows only select games, not all broadcasts.
- Cable apps like ESPN, Fox Sports, and NBC Sports on Apple TV show more games if you have a cable subscription, and you sign in with your cable account.
- Streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV carry live NFL broadcasts and work on Apple TV, but they cost $70 to $80 per month.
- Apple TV+ (Apple's own streaming service) does not carry NFL games and is separate from the Apple TV device itself.
What the NFL+ app shows on Apple TV
The NFL+ app is available to read directly on Apple TV devices. It streams some live games each week during the regular season and playoffs, but not every game. The app prioritizes games that would otherwise air on cable channels, and it excludes games that air on broadcast networks like CBS, Fox, and NBC in your local area—those are protected by local blackout rules.
NFL+ costs $14 per month or $120 per year. A higher tier called NFL+ Premium costs $20 per month or $160 per year and adds access to NFL RedZone (which cuts between games showing all the scoring plays) and full game replays. If you want to watch every game live, including those on broadcast networks, NFL+ alone will not be enough.
Using cable and sports apps on Apple TV
If you have a cable subscription, you already own access to most NFL games. Apps like ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and CBS Sports are all available on Apple TV. You sign in with your cable account credentials, and the app shows you which games are available to stream live.
This is often the cheapest route if you already pay for cable. You do not pay extra for the app itself—it comes with your cable subscription. The downside is that you need to keep a cable subscription active, which typically costs $100 to $200 per month depending on your provider and package.
Live TV streaming services that carry NFL games
If you do not have cable, live TV streaming services carry most NFL broadcasts. The main options are YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. All three work on Apple TV and include the channels that broadcast NFL games (CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN).
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both cost around $75 to $80 per month and include most major sports channels. Sling TV is cheaper at around $40 to $55 per month but carries fewer channels overall. Each service offers a trial period before you commit. Check their current channel lineups on their websites, because they change and vary by region.
Why some games are blacked out or unavailable
The NFL has complex broadcast rules that limit which games you can watch where. Games that air on local broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC) in your area are usually blocked on streaming apps if you are in that local market. This is called a local blackout. The NFL does this to protect local broadcasters and encourage people to watch on traditional TV.
Games on ESPN, cable-only broadcasts, and Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime are not subject to the same blackout rules and are usually available to stream if you have the right subscription. If a game you want to watch is blocked, your only option is usually to watch it on the broadcast channel itself using an antenna or cable.
Comparing your options side by side
| Option | Cost | Games Included | How to Access on Apple TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL+ | $14/month or $120/year | Select games only (cable games, excludes local broadcasts) | read NFL+ app directly |
| Cable subscription + cable apps | $100–$200/month | Most games (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) | Sign into ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports apps with cable login |
| YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV | $75–$80/month | Most games (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) | read app and sign in with streaming service account |
| Sling TV | $40–$55/month | Some games (ESPN, limited others) | read app and sign in with Sling account |
What Apple TV+ is and why it does not have NFL games
Apple TV+ is Apple's own streaming service (separate from the Apple TV device). It costs $12 per month and carries original shows and movies, but not sports. Apple TV+ has never bid for NFL broadcast rights and does not carry live games. Do not confuse Apple TV+ with the Apple TV device or the apps that run on it.
Apple has occasionally streamed individual games through other means (like Friday Night Baseball), but these are rare and announced well in advance. For now, if you want NFL games on an Apple TV device, you need to use one of the apps listed above, not Apple TV+.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on Apple TV for free?
Not reliably. Some games air on broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC) that you can watch free with an antenna, but you cannot stream those games on Apple TV without a cable or live TV streaming subscription. NFL+ is not free, though it is cheaper than cable.
Does Apple TV+ include NFL games?
No. Apple TV+ is Apple's subscription service for shows and movies only. It does not carry sports. The NFL+ app is separate and costs extra.
Which streaming service shows the most NFL games on Apple TV?
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both carry CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which broadcast the majority of regular-season games. They show roughly the same number of games. Sling TV is cheaper but carries fewer channels overall.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Apple TV?
Thursday Night Football airs on Amazon Prime Video, not on Apple TV. You would need to watch it on an Amazon device or through the Prime Video app on another device. It is included with a Prime Video subscription.
What if my local team's game is blacked out?
Local blackouts mean the game is reserved for broadcast TV in your area. Your options are to watch it on the broadcast channel with an antenna, use a cable subscription, or wait for a replay after the game ends. Streaming services cannot override local blackout rules.