Super Bowl games are not included in Paramount Plus's standard streaming package
Paramount Plus does not carry Super Bowl broadcasts as part of its regular subscription. The Super Bowl airs on CBS, NBC, or Fox depending on the year, and Paramount Plus has not secured the rights to stream it live. If you have a Paramount Plus account, you will not find the game there on game day.
However, Paramount Plus does sometimes offer clips, highlights, and analysis after the game ends. You can watch recaps and commentary the next day, but not the live broadcast itself. This separation between broadcast rights and streaming rights is standard in professional sports — owning a network that airs a game does not automatically give a streaming service the right to show it.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus does not stream the Super Bowl live, even though it is owned by the same parent company as CBS.
- The Super Bowl airs on CBS, NBC, or Fox depending on the year, and you need access to one of those networks to watch it live.
- If you have cable or a cable-replacement service like YouTube TV or Hulu Plus Live TV, you can watch through those platforms.
- Paramount Plus may post game highlights and analysis after the broadcast ends, but these are not the live game.
How to watch the Super Bowl if you have Paramount Plus
If Paramount Plus is your only streaming service, you will need to add another way to watch. The simplest option is to check which network is broadcasting that year's Super Bowl, then use that network's free streaming app or website if you have a cable login.
CBS offers free streaming of the Super Bowl through CBS.com and the CBS app if you have a cable subscription. NBC streams it through Peacock and NBC.com. Fox streams through the Fox app and Fox.com. You will need to sign in with your cable provider credentials to access the live game on any of these platforms. If you do not have cable, this route will not work.
Cable-replacement services that include the Super Bowl
If you do not have cable but want to watch live, services like YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, and Sling TV carry the broadcast networks and cost between $40 and $75 per month. These services include the channel that is broadcasting the Super Bowl that year, so you can watch the full game live without needing a traditional cable subscription.
Most of these services offer a free trial period, usually 5 to 7 days. If you time it right around Super Bowl Sunday, you could watch the game free and then cancel. Check the current trial length on each service's website, as these change frequently. YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV typically offer longer trials than Sling TV, but availability varies by location.
Why Paramount Plus does not have the Super Bowl
Paramount Plus is owned by Paramount Global, which also owns CBS. Even though CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl in some years, Paramount Plus has not purchased the streaming rights separately. The NFL sells broadcast rights and streaming rights as different packages, and Paramount Plus has not bought the streaming package for the Super Bowl.
This is common in sports streaming. Just because a company owns a network that airs a game does not mean that company's streaming service has the right to show it. The rights are negotiated separately and can go to different platforms. In some years, the Super Bowl has been available on other streaming services or through the NFL's own platforms, but Paramount Plus has never held those rights.
What you can watch on Paramount Plus instead
Paramount Plus does carry NFL content year-round, including some regular-season games, playoff games, and documentaries about football. You can also watch the NFL Draft and other league events. But the Super Bowl specifically is not part of the package, and there is no indication that will change in the near future.
If you are interested in football content on Paramount Plus, search for "NFL" in the app to see what is currently available. The library changes throughout the season, and new games are added as the schedule progresses. You may find other football programming worth watching, even if the Super Bowl is not there.
Free and paid options compared
Your best option depends on whether you have cable and how much you want to spend. If you have a cable subscription, using CBS.com, NBC.com, or Fox.com is free and requires no extra steps beyond signing in. If you do not have cable, a free trial from YouTube TV or Hulu Plus Live TV is the cheapest way to watch, though you will need to cancel after the game to avoid being charged.
If you want to keep a cable-replacement service beyond Super Bowl Sunday, YouTube TV and Hulu Plus Live TV both include more channels and on-demand content than Sling TV, which makes them better long-term options. However, they also cost more per month. Sling TV is cheaper but has fewer channels overall, so your choice depends on what else you want to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus if I pay for a higher tier?
No. Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers — with ads and ad-free — but neither includes Super Bowl streaming rights. The tier you choose does not change what sports content is available.
Will Paramount Plus ever get the Super Bowl?
It is possible but not certain. Streaming rights are renegotiated every few years, and platforms bid for them. Paramount Plus could purchase the rights in a future deal, but there is no announcement of that happening yet.
Can I use my Paramount Plus login to watch the Super Bowl on CBS.com?
No. CBS.com requires a cable provider login, not a Paramount Plus login. You will need to sign in with your cable company username and password, or use a cable-replacement service that carries CBS.
Is the Super Bowl free to watch anywhere?
Yes. CBS, NBC, and Fox all stream the Super Bowl free through their websites and apps if you have a cable login. You do not need a paid streaming subscription. If you do not have cable, a free trial from YouTube TV or Hulu Plus Live TV can get you access for one game.
What happens if I cancel my cable-replacement service right after the Super Bowl?
You can cancel anytime during the free trial period without being charged. If you cancel after the trial ends, you will be charged for that month. Most services allow you to cancel through their website or app when ready after signing up, so you can set a reminder for the day after the game.