Yes, you can watch some NFL games on Paramount Plus, but not all of them
Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football, a package of regular-season games that air live each Thursday evening during the NFL season. These games are exclusive to Paramount Plus — you cannot watch them on cable or broadcast television. The service also shows playoff games and the Super Bowl when those events fall under CBS's broadcast rights, which happens in certain years on a rotating schedule.
What Paramount Plus does not carry: Sunday games (those stay on CBS, Fox, and ESPN), Monday Night Football (ESPN), or most playoff games. If you want to watch every game your team plays, you will need multiple services or a cable subscription. But if Thursday Night Football is your main interest, Paramount Plus is the only place to find it.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus streams all Thursday Night Football games live during the regular season, and these games are not available anywhere else.
- You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch — the games are not available on the free tier.
- Playoff games and the Super Bowl appear on Paramount Plus only in years when CBS holds the broadcast rights, which rotates every few years.
- Sunday NFL games remain on CBS, Fox, and cable; Monday games stay on ESPN; you cannot watch those on Paramount Plus.
What subscription tier do you need
Thursday Night Football requires a paid Paramount Plus subscription. The service offers two paid tiers: Paramount Plus with ads and Paramount Plus Premium (ad-free). Both tiers include live NFL games. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include live sports.
Pricing and tier names vary by region and change periodically, so check the Paramount Plus website directly for current costs and what each tier includes in your area. Some cable packages and phone plans bundle Paramount Plus at no extra cost, so if you already subscribe to those services, you may already have access.
How to find Thursday Night Football on the app or website
Open the Paramount Plus app or go to paramountplus.com. During the NFL season, Thursday Night Football usually appears on the home page under a dedicated sports section or banner. You can also search for "Thursday Night Football" or "NFL" in the search bar. Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though kickoff times occasionally shift.
If you are looking for a specific game, check the NFL schedule on the official NFL website or ESPN to confirm which network is broadcasting it. Then cross-reference with Paramount Plus to see if it is a Thursday night game. The Paramount Plus app will show you upcoming games in the sports section a few days before they air.
When CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl or playoffs
The NFL broadcast rights rotate among networks on a multi-year cycle. CBS holds rights to certain playoff games and the Super Bowl in specific years. When CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl or a playoff game, that game streams on Paramount Plus as well as on CBS television.
This does not happen every year — it depends on which network holds the rights that season. Check the NFL schedule closer to playoff time to see which network is broadcasting each game. If CBS is the broadcaster, you can stream it on Paramount Plus with a paid subscription.
What you need to know about streaming quality and devices
Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football in up to 4K resolution on supported devices, though the actual quality depends on your internet speed and the device you are using. You need a stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K.
The app works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick), and gaming consoles (PlayStation, Xbox). You can stream on multiple devices at once depending on your subscription tier — check Paramount Plus's current simultaneous streaming limits, as these can change.
Blackout rules and regional restrictions
Paramount Plus generally does not explore local blackout restrictions to Thursday Night Football the way some cable sports packages do. However, if you are outside the United States, you may not be able to stream these games due to international broadcasting rights. VPNs are against Paramount Plus's terms of service, so using one to bypass regional restrictions can result in your account being suspended.
If you live in a market where your local CBS affiliate broadcasts a game (which is rare for Thursday games), you may see a message directing you to watch on CBS instead. This is uncommon for Thursday Night Football specifically, but it can happen during playoff games or the Super Bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football for free on Paramount Plus?
No. Thursday Night Football requires a paid Paramount Plus subscription. The free tier does not include live sports or Thursday Night Football games.
What if I have cable — can I watch Thursday Night Football without Paramount Plus?
No. Thursday Night Football is exclusive to Paramount Plus. It does not air on cable television or broadcast channels, even if you have a cable subscription that includes CBS.
Do I need Paramount Plus to watch my team's other games?
Only if your team plays on Thursday night. Most Sunday games are on CBS, Fox, or cable; Monday games are on ESPN. You would need those services or a cable subscription to watch those games.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my phone while traveling?
Yes, as long as you have an internet connection and are in the United States. Paramount Plus works on phones and tablets. If you are traveling outside the US, regional restrictions may prevent you from streaming.
What happens if the game goes into overtime — will it stay on Paramount Plus?
Yes. Paramount Plus will continue streaming the game for as long as it takes, including overtime. You do not need to switch to another channel or service.