Paramount Plus does not carry Monday Night Football
Paramount Plus does not broadcast Monday Night Football. The streaming service carries some NFL content—including playoff games, Super Bowl reruns, and highlights—but the live Monday night games go to a different network. If you want to watch Monday Night Football live, you need to know which service actually has it and what that subscription costs.
Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is available through cable, satellite, or the ESPN+ streaming service. ESPN+ costs money separately from Paramount Plus, so you cannot bundle them into one subscription and get both services' full sports lineups. The games also air on ABC in some weeks, which you can watch free with an antenna or through most cable packages.
Key Takeaways
- Monday Night Football streams live on ESPN+ (a paid subscription separate from Paramount Plus) and broadcasts on ABC and ESPN cable channels.
- Paramount Plus does carry some NFL content, including select playoff games and Super Bowl reruns, but not the regular Monday night schedule.
- ABC broadcasts alternate Monday Night Football games free over the air if you have an antenna, or through most cable TV packages.
- ESPN+ requires its own subscription; it does not come free with Paramount Plus, cable TV, or most other streaming bundles.
What NFL games does Paramount Plus actually show
Paramount Plus carries NFL playoff games and the Super Bowl through its partnership with CBS, which owns part of Paramount. CBS has broadcast rights to AFC playoff games and the Super Bowl in even-numbered years. When CBS gets those games, they stream on Paramount Plus at the same time they air on the CBS television channel.
The service also carries NFL highlights, analysis shows, and archived games, but these are not live broadcasts. If you subscribe to Paramount Plus specifically for football, you will only see games during playoff season and the Super Bowl—not during the regular season, and not Monday Night Football at any time.
How to watch Monday Night Football on ESPN+
ESPN+ is a separate subscription from Paramount Plus. You sign up for it directly through ESPN's website or through the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device. The monthly cost varies, but ESPN+ typically runs between $10 and $15 per month depending on whether you choose an ad-supported or ad-free plan. ESPN also offers bundle deals that combine ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ at a lower total price than buying each separately.
Once you have an ESPN+ account, you can stream Monday Night Football live on the ESPN app, the ESPN website, or through ESPN+ on most streaming devices. You log in with your ESPN+ credentials, find the game in the schedule, and watch it the same way you would watch any other streaming show. Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Monday nights during the NFL season.
ABC broadcasts some Monday Night Football games for free
Not every Monday Night Football game is exclusive to ESPN+. ABC (the broadcast network owned by Disney, which also owns ESPN) shows some Monday Night Football games during the regular season. These ABC games are free to watch if you have a cable subscription that includes ABC, or if you have a TV antenna that picks up your local ABC station.
To find out which games air on ABC versus ESPN+, check the NFL schedule on NFL.com or ESPN.com before the season starts. The schedule lists which network carries each game. If you do not have cable and do not want to pay for ESPN+, watching the ABC games with an antenna is your free option—though you will miss the games that ESPN+ has exclusive rights to.
Cable and satellite TV packages that include ESPN
If you already pay for cable or satellite TV, your package likely includes the ESPN channel, which broadcasts Monday Night Football. You can watch on the ESPN channel itself, or you can use the ESPN app and log in with your cable provider credentials to stream the same games online. This does not cost extra—it is included in your cable or satellite bill.
Check your cable or satellite bill to confirm ESPN is part of your package. Most standard and higher tiers include it, but some budget packages do not. If ESPN is not included, you can either upgrade your package or subscribe to ESPN+ separately. Calling your provider to ask which tier includes ESPN is faster than guessing.
Comparing your options for Monday Night Football
| Service | Cost | Monday Night Football | How to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | $10–$15/month (or bundle with Hulu and Disney+) | Yes, all games | ESPN app, ESPN.com, streaming devices |
| ABC (with antenna) | Free | Some games only | TV antenna, local ABC channel |
| Cable/satellite TV | Varies (usually $50–$150/month) | Yes, on ESPN channel | TV or ESPN app with cable login |
| Paramount Plus | $6–$12/month | No | Not applicable |
The cheapest way to watch some Monday Night Football is with a TV antenna and ABC. The most complete way is ESPN+, which has every game but costs money. If you already have cable or satellite, you already have access through ESPN on your TV or through the ESPN app.
What to do if you have Paramount Plus but want Monday Night Football
If you subscribe to Paramount Plus for other shows and movies, you will need to add ESPN+ separately to watch Monday Night Football. The two services do not bundle together, and Paramount Plus will not add Monday Night Football to its lineup in the future—the broadcast rights belong to ESPN and ABC, not to Paramount.
Before you add another subscription, decide how many Monday Night Football games you actually want to watch. If it is only a few games, checking the schedule and watching the ABC games free with an antenna might be enough. If you want to watch every game, ESPN+ is the straightforward choice. If you already have cable with ESPN, you do not need to pay anything extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Monday Night Football on Paramount Plus if I have a cable login?
No. Paramount Plus does not carry Monday Night Football even if you log in with a cable provider account. The games air on ESPN and ABC, not on CBS or Paramount. You would need to watch on the ESPN app (with your cable login) or on ABC instead.
Does ESPN+ come free with Paramount Plus?
No. ESPN+ is a separate subscription that costs money on its own. Paramount Plus and ESPN+ are owned by different companies and do not bundle together. You have to pay for each one separately, though ESPN does offer a bundle that combines ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ at a discount.
Will Paramount Plus ever get Monday Night Football?
No. ESPN and ABC own the broadcast rights to Monday Night Football through at least 2033 under the current NFL contract. Paramount Plus (which is owned by CBS) does not have those rights and is not expected to get them. CBS does have rights to some playoff games and the Super Bowl, which do stream on Paramount Plus.
What if I only want to watch a few Monday Night Football games?
Check the NFL schedule to see which games air on ABC, which are free with an antenna or cable. If most of the games you want to watch are on ABC, you can skip ESPN+ and just use your antenna or cable. If the games you want are on ESPN+, a one-month subscription costs less than a full season.
Can I use a VPN to watch Monday Night Football on Paramount Plus from another country?
No. Paramount Plus does not carry Monday Night Football in any country. The broadcast rights are held by ESPN and ABC in the United States. International streaming rights vary by country, but Paramount Plus is not a source for Monday Night Football anywhere.