The Super Bowl is not on Disney Plus, and it will not be in the near future

Disney Plus does not carry Super Bowl broadcasts. The Super Bowl airs on traditional television networks — CBS, NBC, Fox, or ABC depending on the year — and those networks stream the game on their own apps and websites. Disney owns ABC and ESPN, but neither service uses Disney Plus as its Super Bowl home. If you want to watch the Super Bowl, you will need to use the network's own streaming option or watch on cable television.

The rights to broadcast the Super Bowl are sold separately to individual networks for multi-year contracts. Disney has not purchased those rights for Disney Plus, and there is no indication the company plans to. The Super Bowl remains one of the most expensive broadcasting rights in sports, and networks that own it typically stream through their own dedicated platforms rather than bundling it into subscription services like Disney Plus.

Key Takeaways

  • Disney Plus does not stream the Super Bowl; the game airs on CBS, NBC, Fox, or ABC depending on the year.
  • The network that broadcasts the Super Bowl also streams it through its own app — CBS on Paramount Plus, NBC on Peacock, Fox on the Fox app, or ABC on the ABC app.
  • You can watch the Super Bowl on cable television if you have a subscription that includes the broadcasting network.
  • Disney Plus carries NFL-related content like documentaries and behind-the-scenes shows, but not live games or the Super Bowl.

Which streaming service has the Super Bowl depends on the year

The Super Bowl broadcasting rights rotate among the major networks on a set schedule. In 2024, the game aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount Plus. In 2025, it will air on NBC and stream on Peacock. In 2026, it will be on Fox and stream on the Fox app. In 2027, it returns to ABC and streams on the ABC app.

Each network that wins the rights negotiates its own streaming arrangement. CBS uses Paramount Plus, NBC uses Peacock, and Fox uses its own app — none of these games appear on Disney Plus. If you have a cable subscription that includes the broadcasting network, you can usually stream the game through that network's app as well, even without a separate streaming subscription.

What Disney Plus does offer about the NFL

Disney Plus carries NFL-related content, but it is documentary and behind-the-scenes material, not live games. The service hosts shows like The Playbook, which breaks down strategy from famous coaches, and various NFL Films documentaries about teams and players. ESPN Plus, which is owned by Disney, carries some live NFL games during the regular season, but not the Super Bowl.

If you are looking for live football on Disney Plus, you will not find it. The service focuses on Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content. Sports streaming on Disney platforms happens through ESPN Plus for regular-season games and through the individual network apps for major events like the Super Bowl.

How to watch the Super Bowl on the right streaming service

First, check which network is broadcasting that year's Super Bowl. You can find this information on the NFL's official website or by searching for "Super Bowl [year] channel." Once you know the network, go to that network's streaming app: Paramount Plus for CBS, Peacock for NBC, the Fox app for Fox, or the ABC app for ABC.

Most of these apps let you watch for free if you have a cable subscription that includes that network. If you do not have cable, you will need a subscription to the streaming service itself. Paramount Plus, Peacock, and the Fox app all offer paid tiers. The ABC app sometimes requires a cable login but occasionally offers free streaming of major events — check the app closer to game day to see what is available.

If you have a cable subscription, you can also watch the Super Bowl on your television through the cable provider's app or website, which usually does not require a separate streaming subscription.

Why the Super Bowl is not bundled into streaming services

The Super Bowl is the most-watched television event in the United States, which makes the broadcasting rights extremely expensive. Networks that buy these rights want to maximize their own viewership and advertising revenue, so they keep the game on their own platforms rather than sharing it with other services. Disney Plus is a general entertainment service, not a sports-focused platform, so it has not pursued Super Bowl rights.

The cost of Super Bowl rights has grown significantly over the years. Networks recoup that investment through advertising during the broadcast and through subscriptions to their own streaming services. Bundling the Super Bowl into a third-party service like Disney Plus would dilute that revenue, so networks keep the game exclusive to their own channels and apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch the Super Bowl on ESPN Plus?

No. ESPN Plus carries some regular-season NFL games, but not the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl airs on CBS, NBC, Fox, or ABC depending on the year, and streams through that network's app. ESPN Plus is owned by Disney but operates separately from Disney Plus.

Do I need cable to watch the Super Bowl on a streaming app?

Not always. If you have a cable subscription that includes the broadcasting network, you can use that login to watch on the network's app. If you do not have cable, you can buy a subscription to the streaming service itself — Paramount Plus, Peacock, the Fox app, or the ABC app — though some networks occasionally offer free streaming of the Super Bowl.

Will Disney Plus ever get the Super Bowl?

There is no indication that Disney Plus will carry the Super Bowl in the future. The broadcasting rights are sold to individual networks, and those networks prefer to stream through their own platforms. Disney owns ABC and ESPN, but has not used Disney Plus as a home for live sports events.

What if I only have Disney Plus and no other streaming service?

You will need to get access to the network broadcasting that year's Super Bowl. Check which network has the rights, then either get a cable subscription that includes it, buy a subscription to that network's streaming app, or look for free streaming options the network may offer on game day.