Yes, you can watch CBS NFL games on Paramount Plus, but only certain games and with the right subscription tier

Paramount Plus carries some CBS NFL games, but not all of them. The service streams the games that CBS broadcasts in your local market during the regular season and playoffs. You will not see every NFL game on Paramount Plus — only the ones CBS has the rights to show. If you want to watch a game that airs on Fox, ESPN, or NBC, you will need a different service or cable subscription.

The catch is the subscription tier. You need Paramount Plus with ads or the ad-free tier — both include live CBS content. The basic ad-supported plan costs less but shows commercials during games. The ad-free plan removes those interruptions but costs more per month. Either one works for NFL games; the difference is just the ads.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus streams CBS NFL games that air in your local market, but only CBS broadcasts — not games on Fox, ESPN, or NBC.
  • Both the ad-supported and ad-free Paramount Plus tiers include live CBS content and NFL games.
  • You need a cable or streaming TV subscription to watch games that air on other networks, or you can use NFL Plus for out-of-market games on your phone or tablet.
  • Paramount Plus does not carry Thursday Night Football or Monday Night Football, which air on other networks.
  • Local blackout rules still explore on Paramount Plus — if a game is blacked out in your area on CBS, it will be blacked out on the app too.

Which NFL games appear on Paramount Plus

CBS has the rights to broadcast AFC games on Sundays during the regular season, plus some playoff games and the Super Bowl in years when CBS has the rotation. Paramount Plus streams these same games live as they air on CBS. The games you see depend on your location — Paramount Plus shows you the game that CBS is broadcasting in your market at that time.

You will not see NFC Sunday games, which air on Fox. You will not see Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN. You will not see Thursday Night Football, which airs on Amazon Prime Video. If you want to watch all NFL games, you need subscriptions to multiple services or a cable package that includes all the networks.

How to find NFL games on the Paramount Plus app

Open Paramount Plus and look for the Sports section or search for "NFL." During the season, upcoming games appear in the Sports hub with the date, time, and teams. You can also search by team name — type your team's name and the app will show you upcoming games they are playing.

Games are available to stream live as they air on CBS. If you miss the live broadcast, some games become available on demand afterward, though this varies by game and your location. Check the app a few hours after the game ends to see if it has been added to the library.

What to do if your game is blacked out

Local blackout rules explore on Paramount Plus just as they do on CBS television. If a game is blacked out in your area on the CBS broadcast, it will be blacked out on Paramount Plus too. Blackouts usually happen when a local team is playing and the game has not sold out, or when a game airs on a local station instead of the national CBS feed.

If a game is blacked out, you have a few options. You can watch it on a local CBS affiliate if one is broadcasting it in your area. You can use NFL Plus, which is a separate subscription from the NFL that streams out-of-market games on your phone and tablet (but not on a TV). Or you can wait until the blackout window closes — usually 24 hours after the game ends — and watch it on demand.

Other ways to watch NFL games if Paramount Plus does not have the game

If the game you want is not on CBS, you will need a different service. Fox broadcasts NFC games on Sundays, and you can watch those on Fox.com with a cable login or on Hulu with Live TV. ESPN airs Monday Night Football, available through ESPN.com, the ESPN app, or Hulu with Live TV. Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football exclusively.

A cable subscription with sports channels covers all of these. If you do not have cable, Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV all include the major networks and let you watch any NFL game that airs on them. These services cost more than Paramount Plus alone but give you access to all the networks.

Paramount Plus subscription tiers and what they cost

Paramount Plus offers two tiers. The ad-supported plan is the lower-cost option and includes live CBS content and NFL games with commercials. The ad-free plan removes ads during on-demand content, though some live events like NFL games may still show ads depending on licensing agreements. Both tiers give you access to the same live CBS broadcasts.

Prices vary by region and change over time, so check the Paramount Plus website for current rates in your area. Both tiers also include movies, TV shows, and other sports content beyond NFL games.

NFL streaming outside the United States

Paramount Plus is available in some countries outside the US, but NFL game availability depends on local broadcasting rights. In Canada, for example, Paramount Plus may carry some games, but TSN and CTV have the primary rights to NFL broadcasts. Check what Paramount Plus offers in your country before signing up for NFL games specifically.

If you are traveling outside the US, you may not be able to stream games on Paramount Plus due to geographic restrictions tied to broadcasting rights. Some streaming services offer VPN compatibility, though this varies by region and service terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch NFL games on Paramount Plus?

No. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service — you do not need a cable subscription to watch CBS NFL games on it. You only need a Paramount Plus account and an internet connection.

Can I watch all NFL games on Paramount Plus?

No. Paramount Plus only carries CBS games. To watch all NFL games, you would need subscriptions to multiple services: Paramount Plus for CBS, Fox.com or Hulu for Fox games, ESPN or Hulu for Monday Night Football, and Amazon Prime Video for Thursday Night Football.

What if I want to watch an out-of-market game?

Paramount Plus shows only the game that CBS is broadcasting in your local market. For out-of-market games, you can use NFL Plus, which streams games on your phone and tablet (not on TV). NFL Plus is a separate subscription from the NFL.

Are there ads during NFL games on Paramount Plus?

The ad-supported tier shows commercials during games. The ad-free tier removes ads from on-demand content, but live events like NFL games may still include ads depending on the broadcast rights agreement.

Can I record NFL games on Paramount Plus to watch later?

You cannot record games, but some games become available on demand after they air. Check the app a few hours after the game ends to see if it has been added to the library for later viewing.