Paramount Plus carries some live NFL games, but not all of them
Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football during the NFL regular season, which means you can watch one primetime game per week live on the service. The network also carries NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl when CBS has broadcast rights to them. However, Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday or Monday night games, and you will not find the full slate of games that a cable or antenna subscription provides.
Beyond the NFL, Paramount Plus streams college football games through its partnership with the SEC Network and carries some college basketball during the season. The service also shows WNBA games and occasional international soccer matches. If you are looking for comprehensive football coverage, Paramount Plus is a partial solution, not a complete one.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football live during the NFL regular season, plus NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl when CBS holds the broadcast rights.
- The service does not carry Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, or most regular-season games that air on other networks.
- College football from the SEC and some college basketball games are available through Paramount Plus's SEC Network partnership.
- Your ability to watch depends on your subscription tier — some games require the ad-free Premium plan rather than the cheaper Essential tier.
Thursday Night Football is the main NFL offering
Thursday Night Football is the centerpiece of Paramount Plus's NFL coverage. During the regular season, which runs from September through early January, CBS broadcasts one game each Thursday night, and Paramount Plus streams it live at the same time. You do not need to wait for a replay — the game is available in real time.
This is a significant draw for the service, but it is also the limit of weekly NFL coverage. If you want to watch games on Sunday, Monday, or other nights, you will need a different service or a cable subscription. Paramount Plus does not carry Sunday Night Football (that is NBC), Monday Night Football (ESPN), or Sunday afternoon games (split between CBS and Fox).
Playoff games and the Super Bowl depend on CBS's schedule
When the NFL playoffs arrive in January, Paramount Plus carries the games that CBS broadcasts. In some years, CBS gets the Wild Card round; in others, it gets the Divisional round. The network's playoff schedule rotates, so which round you can stream changes year to year.
The Super Bowl is included when CBS has the rights to broadcast it. CBS hosts the Super Bowl roughly once every six years, so Paramount Plus will not always carry it. In years when another network (Fox, NBC, or ESPN) has the Super Bowl, you will need that network's service or a cable subscription to watch.
College football and SEC games are available through Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus carries college football games through the SEC Network, which broadcasts Southeastern Conference matchups. The number of games available varies by week and by season, but you can stream SEC football during the regular season and bowl games.
The service also carries college basketball games, primarily from the SEC. If you follow a team in the Southeastern Conference, Paramount Plus is a useful source for live games, though it will not give you access to games played by teams in other conferences unless those games are also broadcast on CBS.
Your subscription tier affects which games you can watch
Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers: Essential (with ads) and Premium (ad-free). Some live sports, including certain Thursday Night Football games, require the Premium tier. You should check the specific game listing before game day to confirm which tier you need.
The Essential tier is cheaper but may block you from some live events. If you plan to watch football regularly, the Premium tier removes this barrier, though it costs more per month.
Other sports on Paramount Plus
Beyond football, Paramount Plus streams WNBA games during the basketball season and carries international soccer matches, including some games from European leagues. The service also shows golf tournaments and occasional other sporting events, though football and basketball are the main sports offerings.
If you are primarily interested in one sport, check Paramount Plus's current schedule before subscribing. Sports schedules change year to year, and the games available on the service can shift based on broadcast rights agreements.
How to find what football games are on this week
The easiest way to see what is streaming is to open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the Sports section. From there, you can see the upcoming schedule for Thursday Night Football, college football, and other sports. Most games are listed several days in advance, so you can plan ahead.
You can also check the NFL.com schedule to see which games CBS is broadcasting that week, then confirm those same games are on Paramount Plus. If a game is listed as a CBS broadcast, it will be on Paramount Plus, though you may need the Premium tier to watch it live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch all NFL games on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus only carries Thursday Night Football during the regular season, plus playoff games and the Super Bowl when CBS has broadcast rights. You will need other services or cable to watch Sunday, Monday, and other games.
Do I need Premium tier to watch Thursday Night Football?
Most Thursday Night Football games require the Premium (ad-free) tier, though some games may be available on the Essential tier. Check the game listing before kickoff to confirm which tier you need.
What college football can I watch on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus carries SEC (Southeastern Conference) college football games through the SEC Network. Games from other conferences are not available unless they are also broadcast on CBS.
Does Paramount Plus have the Super Bowl every year?
Only when CBS has broadcast rights, which happens roughly once every six years. In other years, the Super Bowl airs on Fox, NBC, or ESPN, and you will need that network's service to watch.
Can I stream games on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The Paramount Plus app works on phones, tablets, and smart TVs. read the app, sign in with your subscription, and stream live games the same way you would on a web browser.