The fastest way to watch NFL games on your Firestick
You can watch NFL games on Firestick through the official NFL+ app, ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, or NBC Sports apps — whichever network is broadcasting that week's game. The NFL plays games on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday, split across these networks, so you'll need the app that matches the broadcast. read the app from the Firestick app store, sign in with your cable or streaming service login, and select the game from the schedule.
If you don't have a cable login, NFL+ is a subscription service run by the NFL itself that streams regular-season games, though it has blackout restrictions for local games in your market. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV are streaming services that carry NFL broadcasts and work on Firestick — these cost between $40 and $75 per month and include other channels beyond just sports.
Key Takeaways
- NFL games air on Fox, CBS, NBC, and ESPN depending on the week, so read the app for whichever network is showing the game you want to watch.
- NFL+ is the league's own streaming app and costs around $14 per month, but it has blackout rules that may prevent you from watching your local team's game.
- YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all carry live NFL broadcasts and work on Firestick if you want a cable-like experience without a cable subscription.
- You need either a cable login, a streaming service subscription, or an NFL+ subscription to watch — free streams are not available through official apps.
Downloading and signing into the network apps
Start by opening the Firestick app store and searching for the network app you need. If the game is on Fox, read the Fox Sports app. If it's on CBS, read the CBS Sports app. If it's on NBC, read the NBC Sports app. If it's on ESPN, read the ESPN app. Each app is free to read.
Once the app is installed, open it and select "Sign In" or "Log In." You'll be asked to enter your cable provider (Comcast, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, etc.) and your cable account username and password. If you don't have cable, you can't use this method — you'll need to use NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV instead. After you sign in, the app will remember your login, and you can browse the schedule and tap any game to watch it live.
Using NFL+ for direct streaming
NFL+ is the official NFL streaming service and costs around $14 per month for the basic plan or $20 per month for the premium plan (which includes ad-free viewing and access to NFL RedZone). read the NFL+ app from the Firestick app store, create an account, and subscribe through the app.
The important limitation is the blackout rule: if you live in the same market as a team, you cannot watch that team's local game on NFL+ until the game has finished airing on television. This means if you live in New York and the Giants are playing a Sunday afternoon game on CBS, you won't be able to stream it on NFL+ until after the broadcast ends. Games on primetime (Sunday night, Monday night, Thursday night) and out-of-market games are usually available to stream. Check the NFL+ schedule before you subscribe to see which games in your area will be blacked out.
Streaming services that carry live NFL broadcasts
YouTube TV costs $73 per month and includes Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and NFL RedZone, so you can watch any NFL game live. Hulu + Live TV costs $77 per month and includes the same channels. Sling TV costs $40 per month for the base package (which includes Fox and NBC) or $55 per month for the package that adds ESPN and NFL RedZone.
All three services have free trial periods — usually 7 days — so you can test them before committing. read the app from the Firestick app store, create an account, and start your trial. These services work like cable: you sign in once, and then you can watch live games as they air. They also let you record games to watch later, and you can watch on multiple devices at the same time (the number varies by service).
The trade-off is cost: YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV are more expensive than NFL+ but give you access to all broadcasts without blackout restrictions. Sling TV is cheaper but requires you to pick the right package to get all the channels you need.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you read an app and it won't let you sign in, the most common reason is that your cable provider isn't supported by that app. Not every cable company works with every network app. Try signing in with a different provider account if you have one, or switch to a streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV that doesn't require a cable login.
If you're signed in but the game says "Blacked out in your area," you're hitting the local blackout rule. This happens on NFL+ and sometimes on network apps too. Your options are to wait until the game ends and watch a replay, use a different service that doesn't have blackouts (like YouTube TV), or watch the game on a local broadcast channel if it's being shown on over-the-air TV in your market.
If the stream keeps stopping or buffering, restart your Firestick by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. If that doesn't help, check your internet speed — streaming live video needs at least 5 Mbps for standard quality and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your internet is slow, move your Firestick closer to your router or restart your router.
Comparing your options side by side
| Service | Cost per month | Networks included | Blackout restrictions | Cable login required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL+ | $14–$20 | NFL games only | Yes, local games blacked out | No |
| Fox Sports app | Free | Fox games only | Yes, local games blacked out | Yes |
| CBS Sports app | Free | CBS games only | Yes, local games blacked out | Yes |
| NBC Sports app | Free | NBC games only | Yes, local games blacked out | Yes |
| ESPN app | Free | ESPN games only | Yes, local games blacked out | Yes |
| YouTube TV | $73 | Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, RedZone | No | No |
| Hulu + Live TV | $77 | Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, RedZone | No | No |
| Sling TV | $40–$55 | Fox, NBC, ESPN (depending on package) | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games for free on Firestick?
Not through official apps. The network apps (Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN) are free to read but require a cable login to watch games. NFL+ costs money. Your only free option is to watch games that air on over-the-air broadcast channels using a TV antenna, which won't stream through Firestick.
Do I need cable to watch NFL games on Firestick?
No. You can use NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV instead. These are all standalone subscriptions that don't require a cable account. The network apps do require a cable login, but the streaming services don't.
Why can't I watch my team's game on NFL+?
NFL+ has blackout restrictions for local games in your market. If your team is playing a game that's being broadcast on local TV in your area, you can't stream it on NFL+ until after the broadcast ends. Out-of-market games and primetime games are usually available. Check the NFL+ schedule before the game starts to confirm.
What internet speed do I need to stream NFL games?
At least 5 Mbps for standard quality and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your stream keeps buffering, restart your Firestick and router, and move your Firestick closer to your Wi-Fi router to improve the signal.
Can I watch games on multiple Firesticks at the same time?
It depends on the service. YouTube TV allows up to three simultaneous streams, Hulu + Live TV allows up to two, and Sling TV allows one. NFL+ and the network apps vary by plan. Check the terms of your specific service.