What Football Games Are on Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus carries NFL games on Thursday nights through the 2024 and 2025 seasons. These are regular-season matchups shown exclusively on the platform — you cannot watch them on cable or broadcast television. The service also shows some playoff games and the Super Bowl, depending on the year and which network has broadcast rights that season.
Beyond the NFL, Paramount Plus streams college football games from the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and other conferences. The exact games available shift year to year based on broadcasting agreements. You can find the full schedule on the Paramount Plus app or website by looking for the Sports section.
Paramount Plus does not carry every NFL game. Sunday and Monday night games, for example, are on other networks. If you want to know whether a specific game is available, search for it by team name or date in the app, or check the NFL schedule on NFL.com to see which network has rights to that game.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus shows NFL games on Thursday nights exclusively, meaning they do not air anywhere else on television or streaming.
- You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch — a free tier exists but does not include live sports.
- Games are available on the Paramount Plus app for phones and tablets, on smart TVs through the app, and on computers through the website.
- College football from the SEC and other conferences is also available, though the schedule changes each year.
- If a game is not on Paramount Plus, check NFL.com or the team's website to find which network has that game instead.
Which Paramount Plus Subscription Tier Includes Live Sports
Only the Paramount Plus with Ads and Paramount Plus Premium tiers include live sports. The free tier and the ad-free tier without sports do not carry games. When you sign up or manage your subscription, the platform will show you which tier includes sports in the description.
The Paramount Plus with Ads tier is the lower-cost option and includes all live sports. The Premium tier costs more but removes ads during on-demand content (though live sports still have ads during broadcasts, since those come from the network feed). Both tiers give you the same access to football games.
If you already have a Paramount Plus subscription but are not sure which tier you have, open the app, go to your account settings, and look at your current plan. The subscription page will tell you whether sports are included. If you have the free tier or the ad-free tier without sports, you will need to upgrade to watch live games.
How to Find and Watch a Game on Your Device
Open the Paramount Plus app or go to paramountplus.com on your computer. Look for the Sports section — it is usually visible on the home screen or in the main menu. Tap or click on Sports, then look for NFL or college football.
If a game is currently live or coming up soon, it will appear in a featured section at the top. You can also search for a specific team name or date using the search bar. Once you find the game, tap or click it to open the game page, then select Watch Now or Start Watching.
The game will begin streaming when ready if it is live, or you will see a countdown timer if it has not started yet. You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward through replays of games that have already aired, depending on your subscription tier and the game's availability window.
Watching on Smart TVs and Streaming Devices
read the Paramount Plus app to your smart TV from the TV's app store. The app is available on most modern smart TVs, including Samsung, LG, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Search for "Paramount Plus" in your TV's app store, install it, and sign in with your email and password.
Once you are signed in, navigate to the Sports section using your remote, find the game you want to watch, and select it. The game will stream to your TV in full resolution. If your TV does not have the Paramount Plus app available, you can connect a streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV to your TV and read the app there instead.
Make sure your internet connection is stable before the game starts. A wired connection (Ethernet) is more reliable than Wi-Fi if your TV or streaming device supports it. If the stream keeps stopping or buffering, restart your device and check that no other devices on your network are using a lot of bandwidth.
What to Do If a Game Is Not Showing Up
If you search for a game and cannot find it on Paramount Plus, it is likely on a different network. Check the NFL.com schedule or your team's official website to see which network has broadcast rights to that game. Sunday games are usually on CBS or Fox, Monday night games are on ESPN, and some games are on NBC or other channels.
If the game should be on Paramount Plus but is not appearing in the app, try these steps: sign out of the app completely, close it, wait 30 seconds, then sign back in. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the app. Make sure your subscription tier includes sports by checking your account settings.
If you see the game listed but get an error message when you try to watch, the stream may be having technical issues. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues, contact Paramount Plus support through the app or website — they can tell you whether the issue is on their end or with your device or connection.
Watching Games Outside Your Home Network
Paramount Plus streams to your phone or tablet from anywhere — you do not need to be on your home Wi-Fi. Sign in with your account email and password, find the game in the Sports section, and tap Watch Now. The game will stream over your mobile data or any Wi-Fi network.
On a smart TV or streaming device, you can also watch away from home if you are signed into your Paramount Plus account. Some networks have blackout rules that prevent streaming certain games in specific locations, but Paramount Plus Thursday night games do not have these restrictions — you can watch them from anywhere.
If you are traveling internationally, some games may not be available depending on broadcasting agreements in that country. If a game is blocked, you will see a message saying it is not available in your region. In that case, you may be able to watch highlights or replays after the game ends, depending on where you are.
Troubleshooting Common Streaming Problems
The stream keeps buffering or stops: This usually means your internet connection is too slow or unstable. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router, or switch to a wired connection if your device supports it. Close other apps and browser tabs that might be using bandwidth. If you are on mobile data, move to an area with stronger signal.
The app crashes when you try to watch: Restart your device completely — do not just close the app. If that does not work, uninstall the Paramount Plus app and reinstall it from your device's app store. Make sure your device's operating system is up to date by checking for system updates in your settings.
You see a black screen or no picture: Check that your TV or monitor is set to the correct input. If you are using a streaming device, make sure the HDMI cable is plugged in firmly on both ends. Try restarting the streaming device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
You are signed in but the game says you do not have permission to watch: Verify that your subscription tier includes sports by going to your account settings. If you have the free tier or a tier without sports, you will need to upgrade. If you have the right tier, sign out completely, wait a minute, and sign back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday night football on Paramount Plus without a cable subscription?
Yes. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service — you do not need cable or any other TV subscription to watch. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription that includes sports (the with-ads or premium tier), an internet connection, and a compatible device.
Do I need to pay extra to watch football games on Paramount Plus?
No. Football games are included in your Paramount Plus subscription if you have the with-ads or premium tier. You do not pay per game or need an add-on package. If you have the free tier or the ad-free tier without sports, you would need to upgrade your subscription to watch live games.
Can I watch games on multiple devices at the same time with one subscription?
The number of devices you can stream to at once depends on your subscription tier. Check your account settings or Paramount Plus's website for the current limit. If you exceed the limit, you will get an error message asking you to stop streaming on another device before you can start a new stream.
What happens if I miss a game — can I watch it later?
Yes. After a game ends, Paramount Plus usually makes it available as an on-demand replay for a period of time. You can watch the full game or skip to highlights. The length of time it stays available varies, so do not wait too long if you want to watch a specific game.
Will Paramount Plus show playoff games and the Super Bowl?
Paramount Plus carries some playoff games and the Super Bowl when those events fall under its broadcasting rights. The exact games available depend on which network has rights that year. Check the Paramount Plus schedule or the NFL schedule closer to the playoffs to see which games will be on the platform.