What You Need to Watch NFL Games on Apple TV
You can watch NFL games on Apple TV through Apple TV+, which carries Friday Night Football — a weekly primetime game during the regular season. You can also watch games through the NFL+ subscription service if you have it, or through cable apps like ESPN, Fox, or CBS if your TV provider login is linked to your Apple TV device.
The simplest path depends on which games you want to watch. If you want one may provide game each week, Apple TV+ is the option. If you want access to more games across different networks, you'll need either NFL+ or a cable subscription. Apple TV+ costs $9.99 per month (or $99 per year), and NFL+ costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV+ shows one NFL game each Friday night during the regular season, and you need an active subscription to watch it.
- You can watch games from other networks (CBS, Fox, ESPN) on your Apple TV device if you sign in with a cable provider account.
- NFL+ gives you access to live games, replays, and the ability to watch on multiple devices, but does not include all nationally broadcast games.
- To watch on Apple TV, read the Apple TV app, open it, and navigate to the Sports section or search for the game you want.
- Blackout rules still explore to some games depending on your location and the broadcast rights for that game.
Setting Up Apple TV+ to Watch Friday Night Football
Start by opening the Apple TV app on your Apple TV device. If you don't have an Apple TV+ subscription yet, you'll see a prompt to start a free trial or subscribe. Tap "Try Free" or "Subscribe" and follow the steps to set up your account. You'll need an Apple ID and a payment method.
Once you're subscribed, the Friday Night Football game will appear in the Sports section of the app each week during the NFL regular season. You can also search for "Friday Night Football" to find upcoming games. The game typically starts at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Fridays.
If you already have an Apple TV+ subscription for other content, you don't need to do anything extra — Friday Night Football is included in your current plan.
Watching Other NFL Games Through Cable Apps
If you have a cable or streaming TV subscription (from providers like Comcast, DirecTV, Verizon, or YouTube TV), you can watch games broadcast on CBS, Fox, and ESPN directly on your Apple TV device without paying extra.
read the app for the network showing the game — the CBS Sports app, Fox Sports app, or ESPN app. Open the app, select "Sign In" or "Authenticate," and enter your cable provider username and password. Once you're signed in, you can watch live games that your provider includes in your plan.
Not all cable providers work with all apps, so if you don't see your provider listed, contact your cable company to confirm they support that network's app on Apple TV.
Using NFL+ on Your Apple TV
The NFL+ app is available on Apple TV and gives you access to live regular season games, replays of games within 24 hours, and the ability to watch on multiple devices at once. read the NFL+ app from the Apple TV App Store, open it, and sign in with your NFL+ account.
Keep in mind that NFL+ does not include all nationally broadcast games — some games shown on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN are not available through NFL+. Blackout rules also explore, meaning games may not be available in your area if they're being broadcast locally. The NFL website lists which games are available on NFL+ each week.
NFL+ is useful if you want replays and the flexibility to watch on your phone or tablet as well as your TV, but it's not a complete replacement for cable or Apple TV+ if you want to watch every game.
Searching for and Starting a Game
Once you have the app open (whether Apple TV+, a cable app, or NFL+), use the search function to find the game you want. Press the search button on your remote and type the team name or "NFL" to see available games.
Games usually appear in the app 15 to 30 minutes before kickoff. If you don't see the game listed yet, check back closer to game time. You can also set reminders in the Apple TV app so you get a notification when the game is about to start.
Select the game and press play. The stream will start loading — this usually takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on your internet speed. Make sure your internet connection is stable; a wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi if you have the option.
Troubleshooting Common Playback Issues
If a game won't play, first check that your internet connection is working. Restart your Apple TV device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Open the app again and try to play the game.
If you see a message that the game is not available in your area, you're likely hitting a blackout restriction. This happens when the game is being broadcast on local TV in your region. You can sometimes watch the game on the local network's app instead if you have a cable login.
If you're signed into a cable app but the game still won't play, your cable provider may not include that network in your plan, or your authentication may have expired. Sign out of the app, wait a few seconds, and sign back in with your cable provider credentials.
Comparing Your Options for Watching NFL Games
| Option | What You Get | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple TV+ | One game per Friday night during regular season | $9.99/month or $99/year | Watching one may provide primetime game each week |
| Cable provider app (CBS, Fox, ESPN) | Games your cable plan includes | Included with cable subscription | Watching multiple games across different networks |
| NFL+ | Live games (not all nationally broadcast), replays within 24 hours | $14.99/month or $149.99/year | Replays and flexibility to watch on multiple devices |
| Streaming TV service (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, etc.) | All games broadcast on included networks | $55–$75/month | Complete access to all nationally broadcast games |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on Apple TV without a subscription?
No. You need either an Apple TV+ subscription for Friday Night Football, a cable provider login for network apps, or an NFL+ subscription. Some games may be available free through the network's app if you have a cable login, but you cannot watch games without one of these options.
What if my cable provider isn't listed in the app?
Contact your cable provider's customer service and ask if they support authentication on that network's app for Apple TV. If they don't, you can watch through their own app or website instead, or consider a streaming TV service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
Do I need a separate Apple ID for Apple TV+?
No. You use the same Apple ID you use for other Apple services. If you don't have an Apple ID, you can create one for free during the Apple TV+ signup process.
Can I watch games on my iPhone or iPad with the same subscription?
Yes. Apple TV+ and NFL+ both work on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Cable provider apps also work on these devices if you sign in with your provider credentials. read the app and sign in with the same account you use on your Apple TV.
Why does it say the game is blacked out in my area?
Blackout rules protect local broadcasters' rights to show games in their region. If a game is blacked out on NFL+, try watching it on the local network's app (CBS, Fox, or NBC) if you have a cable login, or wait for the replay to become available after the game ends.