The fastest way to watch NFL games on 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 schedule rotates between these networks, so you'll need to check which one has the game you want before you open your Firestick.
The simplest route is to read the app for the network showing the game, sign in with your cable or streaming service login, and select the game. If you don't have a cable subscription, NFL+ (the league's own streaming service) shows some games, though not all — it focuses on out-of-market games and playoff coverage. You can also watch through a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, which carry the major networks.
Installation takes about two minutes. The apps are free to read; what costs money is either a cable login, an NFL+ subscription, or a live TV streaming service subscription.
Key Takeaways
- NFL games on Firestick require either a cable login, an NFL+ subscription, or a live TV streaming service subscription — the app itself is free to read.
- Different networks broadcast different games each week (ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC), so check the NFL schedule to see which app you need before you search.
- The NFL+ app shows out-of-market regular season games and all playoff games, but not your local team's broadcast unless you're out of market.
- Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV carry all the major networks and work on Firestick if you have a subscription.
How to read and install NFL streaming apps on Firestick
Open your Firestick home screen and go to the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top. Type the name of the app you want — for example, "ESPN" or "NFL+" — and select it from the results. Choose "Get" or "read" and wait for the installation to finish. The app will then appear in your apps library and on your home screen.
The major networks all have free apps: ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and NBC Sports. The NFL+ app is also free to read. Once installed, open the app, select "Sign In," and enter your cable provider username and password, your streaming service login, or your NFL+ account details, depending on which app and which subscription you have.
If you don't see the app in the search results, make sure you're spelling it correctly. Some apps use slightly different names — for example, "ESPN" rather than "ESPN Sports" or "Fox Sports" rather than "Fox Now." Check the official NFL website's broadcast schedule to confirm which network is showing your game, then search for that exact network name.
Which network shows which NFL games
The NFL schedule divides games among four main networks: CBS (AFC games on Sunday afternoons), Fox (NFC games on Sunday afternoons), ESPN (Monday Night Football), and NBC (Sunday Night Football). Thursday Night Football rotates between networks but is usually on Amazon Prime Video or NFL+. Playoff games and the Super Bowl move between networks depending on the year.
To find out which network is broadcasting a specific game, visit NFL.com and look at the weekly schedule. It will show the date, time, teams, and the network logo. Once you know which network has your game, read that app and sign in. If you have a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service, you can sign in with those credentials. If you don't, you'll need either an NFL+ subscription or a live TV service that carries that network.
Your local CBS or Fox affiliate will always broadcast your home team's game on Sunday afternoon (unless it's a nationally televised game), so if you have cable or a live TV service, you can usually watch that way. Out-of-market games require NFL+ or a service that carries the opposing team's local broadcast.
Using NFL+ on Firestick
NFL+ is the league's own streaming service and costs about $7 per month or $80 per year. It shows out-of-market regular season games (games your local team is not playing in), all playoff games, and the Super Bowl. It does not show your local team's regular season broadcast unless you're traveling outside your home market.
read the NFL+ app from the Firestick app store, open it, and create an account with your email and a password. You'll be asked to choose your home team. Once you're signed in, you can browse the schedule and select any out-of-market game to watch. Playoff games and the Super Bowl are included with any NFL+ subscription.
If you want to watch your local team's game and don't have cable, you'll need either a live TV streaming service or to check whether that game is being broadcast nationally (on ESPN, NBC, or a network that NFL+ carries). The NFL+ app will show you which games are available to you based on your location.
Signing in with your cable provider or streaming service
Most network apps — ESPN, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports — let you sign in with your cable provider login. Open the app, select "Sign In," and choose your cable company from the list (Comcast, Charter, AT&T, Verizon, etc.). Enter your cable username and password. The app will verify your subscription and unlock live games.
If you have a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV, you can sign in with those credentials instead. These services carry the major networks, so you can watch any game that's being broadcast on CBS, Fox, ESPN, or NBC. The sign-in process is the same: open the network app, select "Sign In," choose your streaming service, and enter your login.
If you don't have cable or a streaming service, you can still read the apps, but you won't be able to watch live games through them. You'll need either an NFL+ subscription or to sign up for a live TV service. Some network apps offer free clips and highlights even without a login, but not full games.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the app won't install, restart your Firestick. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try downloading the app again. Make sure your Firestick is connected to the internet — go to Settings > Network and check your connection.
If you sign in but the game won't play, your cable or streaming service subscription may not be active, or the game may be blacked out in your area. Local blackout rules prevent some games from being streamed in certain regions. Check your cable or service provider's website to confirm your subscription is current. If the game is blacked out, you may be able to watch it on your local broadcast channel instead.
If you see an error message like "This content is not available in your region," the game is geographically restricted. This usually applies to out-of-market games on NFL+ or to games that are only available on your local broadcast. Check which network is broadcasting the game and whether you have access to that network's app or channel.
If the video keeps buffering, your internet connection may be too slow. Firestick recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K. Move your Firestick closer to your router or restart your internet connection. You can also lower the video quality in the app's settings to reduce buffering.
Free and paid options for watching NFL games
The only truly free way to watch NFL games on Firestick is through your local broadcast if you have an antenna connected to a TV in the same room, which you can then mirror or cast to your Firestick — but that defeats the purpose of using the Firestick. Otherwise, you'll need to pay for one of these options:
NFL+ costs about $7 per month or $80 per year and shows out-of-market games and playoffs. Live TV streaming services (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV) range from about $40 to $75 per month and carry all the major networks. Cable subscriptions vary by provider but typically cost $50 to $150 per month and include access to all network apps. Some people use a combination — for example, cable for local games and NFL+ for out-of-market games.
If you only want to watch one or two specific games and don't want a subscription, some networks offer single-game purchases or free trials. Check the network's website for current offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's game on Firestick without cable?
Only if the game is broadcast nationally on ESPN, NBC, or another network that offers streaming. Your local team's Sunday afternoon game is usually only available through your local CBS or Fox affiliate, which requires either cable or a live TV streaming service. Out-of-market games are available on NFL+.
Do I need NFL+ if I have a cable subscription?
No. Cable gives you access to all the network apps (ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC), so you can watch any game that's being broadcast. NFL+ is useful if you don't have cable and want to watch out-of-market games or if you want to watch games on your phone or tablet when you're away from home.
Why does my game say "blacked out"?
Local blackout rules prevent some games from being streamed in your area to protect local broadcast rights. If your local team's game is blacked out on streaming, you can usually watch it on your local CBS or Fox channel instead. Out-of-market games on NFL+ are rarely blacked out.
Can I watch NFL games on Firestick without signing in?
No. All the network apps and NFL+ require you to sign in with either a cable login, a streaming service login, or an NFL+ account. You cannot watch live games without one of these.
What's the difference between NFL+ and a live TV streaming service?
NFL+ shows only NFL games (out-of-market regular season games, playoffs, and the Super Bowl) and costs about $7 per month. A live TV streaming service carries all the major networks plus hundreds of other channels and costs $40 to $75 per month. If you only care about football, NFL+ is cheaper. If you want to watch other sports and shows, a live TV service is more useful.