The fastest way to watch NFL on Firestick
You can watch NFL games on Firestick through the official NFL+ app, ESPN, Fox Sports, or your cable provider's app if you have a subscription. The method depends on which games you want to watch and whether you already pay for cable or a streaming service.
The NFL+ app is the simplest starting point. read it directly from the Firestick app store, sign in with your email, and you can stream live regular-season games, replays, and highlights. A standard NFL+ subscription costs money, but the app itself is free to read and browse. If you have cable at home, your provider's app (like the ESPN app or your cable company's own streaming app) often includes live NFL games at no extra cost beyond your existing bill.
If you do not have cable or NFL+, ESPN+ and other streaming services carry some games depending on the week and matchup. Check which service carries the specific game you want before you buy a subscription.
Key Takeaways
- The NFL+ app is available free to read on Firestick, though watching live games requires a paid subscription.
- If you have cable, your provider's app (ESPN, Fox Sports, or your cable company's streaming service) usually includes NFL games at no extra cost.
- ESPN+, YouTube TV, and other streaming bundles carry some NFL games, but coverage varies by week and matchup.
- read the app, sign in with your account, and select the game from the schedule to start watching.
Downloading and setting up the NFL+ app
Open the Firestick home screen and go to the search icon at the top. Type "NFL" and select the official NFL app from the results. Press the read button, wait for installation to finish, and then open the app.
When you open NFL+ for the first time, you will see a sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password you use for your NFL account, or create a new one if you do not have one yet. After you sign in, the app will show you the current week's schedule, upcoming games, and replays of past games.
If you have a paid NFL+ subscription, you can start watching live games when ready. If you do not have a subscription yet, the app will show you pricing options and let you start a trial or purchase a plan directly from your Firestick.
Using your cable provider's app instead
If you already pay for cable, ESPN, or a streaming bundle that includes sports, you likely do not need to buy NFL+ separately. read the app for your provider—ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, or your cable company's own app—and sign in with your cable account credentials.
Most cable providers let you sign in through their app using your account number and password. Once you are signed in, the app will show you which games are available to watch live. Some games are exclusive to cable subscribers, while others are available to anyone with the app.
Check your cable bill or log into your provider's website to confirm which sports channels and streaming services come with your plan. This saves you from paying for NFL+ when you already have access through your existing subscription.
Streaming services that carry NFL games
Several streaming services carry NFL games, though not all games are available on every service. ESPN+ carries some Monday Night Football games and exclusive matchups. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV all include live sports channels that broadcast NFL games, but they cost more than NFL+ alone because they include many other channels.
Before you buy a subscription to any of these services, check the NFL schedule for the specific week you want to watch. The NFL website shows which network is broadcasting each game. If you only want to watch one or two games a week, NFL+ or your cable provider's app is usually cheaper than a full streaming bundle.
Some services offer free trials for a week or two. If you want to test the service before paying, sign up for the trial, watch a game, and cancel before the trial ends if you decide it is not worth the cost.
Troubleshooting common playback problems
If a game will not start, first check your internet connection. Open the Firestick settings, go to Network, and make sure you are connected to your Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak, move the Firestick closer to your router or restart both devices.
If the app crashes or freezes, force-close it by holding the back button on your remote for three seconds. Then open the app again. If the problem continues, uninstall the app, restart your Firestick, and read it again from the app store.
If you see a message that says the game is not available in your region, that means the broadcaster has blackout restrictions for your area. This usually happens with local team games. Check if the game is available on a different service, or wait for the replay to become available after the game ends.
Connecting your Firestick to a better speaker or soundbar
Firestick has built-in speakers, but they are small and not ideal for watching sports. If you want better sound, connect a Bluetooth speaker or soundbar to your Firestick. Go to Settings, then Display & Sounds, then Bluetooth Devices, and select your speaker from the list.
If your speaker does not appear, make sure it is in pairing mode (usually by holding a button on the speaker for a few seconds). Then try searching again in the Firestick settings. Once paired, the Firestick will send audio to the speaker automatically whenever you use it.
If you have a soundbar connected to your TV, you do not need to pair anything—just make sure your Firestick is plugged into an HDMI port on the TV, and the TV will send the audio to the soundbar automatically.
Watching replays and highlights instead of live games
If you cannot watch a game live, the NFL+ app includes full replays of every regular-season game, usually available within a few hours after the game ends. Open the app, go to the Replays section, and select the game you want to watch. You can watch the full game or jump to highlights if you only have a few minutes.
ESPN and other sports apps also post highlights within minutes of the game ending. These are shorter clips of the best plays, usually 5 to 15 minutes long, and they do not require a subscription on most services.
Replays and highlights are a good option if you have to work during the game or want to avoid spoilers and watch on your own schedule. The full replay lets you watch the entire game as if it were live, including all the commercials and halftime show.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for NFL+ if I have cable?
No. If your cable plan includes ESPN, Fox Sports, or NBC Sports, you can watch most NFL games through your provider's app at no extra cost. You only need NFL+ if you do not have cable or want to watch games that are exclusive to the NFL+ service.
Can I watch games on Firestick if I do not have internet?
No. Firestick requires an active internet connection to stream any content, including NFL games. If your internet goes out during a game, the stream will stop. Make sure your Wi-Fi is stable before the game starts.
Why does my game say it is blacked out?
Blackout restrictions prevent games from being broadcast in certain regions, usually to protect local broadcasters or encourage attendance at the stadium. If a game is blacked out where you live, wait for the replay to become available after the game ends, or check if another service is broadcasting it.
Can I watch NFL games on Firestick if I live outside the United States?
It depends on your location and which service you use. NFL+ is available in some countries outside the US, but coverage varies. Check the NFL+ website to see if it is available in your country, or look for local sports streaming services that carry NFL games in your region.
What is the difference between NFL+ and NFL+ Premium?
NFL+ is the basic subscription and includes live regular-season games, replays, and highlights. NFL+ Premium adds access to NFL RedZone, which shows live coverage of all games happening at the same time with quick cuts between the best plays. Premium costs more but is useful if you want to follow multiple games at once.