Whether the Super Bowl streams on Paramount Plus depends on which network has broadcast rights that year
The Super Bowl does not air on Paramount Plus every year. CBS owns Paramount Plus, and CBS only broadcasts the Super Bowl in certain years on a rotating schedule shared with NBC, Fox, and ABC. When CBS has the rights, the game streams on Paramount Plus at the same time it airs on television — but you need an active Paramount Plus subscription, and some games may require a cable login instead.
The rotation runs on a four-year cycle. CBS broadcast the Super Bowl in 2021 and 2025. NBC will have it in 2026, Fox in 2027, and ABC in 2028. After that, the cycle repeats. If CBS does not have the rights in a given year, Paramount Plus will not carry the game, and you will need to watch on whichever network does broadcast it.
Key Takeaways
- CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl only once every four years, and Paramount Plus streams it only when CBS has the rights.
- In years when CBS carries the Super Bowl, the game streams live on Paramount Plus at the same time as the television broadcast.
- You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to stream; some broadcasts may also require a cable provider login.
- CBS had the Super Bowl in 2025; the next CBS broadcast will be in 2029.
When CBS has the Super Bowl broadcast rights
CBS's next Super Bowl broadcast after 2025 is in 2029. In the years between — 2026, 2027, and 2028 — NBC, Fox, and ABC will broadcast the game respectively, and it will not be on Paramount Plus.
When CBS does broadcast, Paramount Plus carries the live stream at no extra cost beyond your subscription. The stream starts at the same time as the television broadcast, usually in the early evening on Super Bowl Sunday. You can watch on any device that supports the Paramount Plus app: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire Stick.
What subscription level you need
Paramount Plus offers two subscription tiers: Paramount Plus with Ads and Paramount Plus Premium (ad-free). Both tiers include live sports events like the Super Bowl when CBS broadcasts them. You do not need to upgrade to Premium to watch the game; the standard tier with ads works.
Some Super Bowl broadcasts have required a cable provider login in addition to a Paramount Plus subscription, though this varies by year and by CBS's licensing agreements. If a login is required, you will see a prompt when you try to watch. You can log in with credentials from your cable, satellite, or streaming TV provider (such as YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, or Sling TV).
How to find the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus when it airs
On Super Bowl Sunday when CBS has the broadcast rights, the game appears prominently on the Paramount Plus home page. You can also search for "Super Bowl" in the app's search bar. The stream usually goes live 15 to 30 minutes before kickoff, so you can tune in early for pre-game coverage.
If you do not see the Super Bowl listed on Paramount Plus, check which network is broadcasting that year. You can verify this on the NFL's official website or by searching for "Super Bowl [year] broadcast network." If it is not CBS's year, you will need to watch on the correct network's app or website instead.
Streaming quality and technical requirements
Paramount Plus streams the Super Bowl in up to 4K resolution on compatible devices, though the quality depends on your internet speed and device. For smooth 4K streaming, Paramount Plus recommends at least 25 Mbps read speed. For standard HD, 8 Mbps is usually sufficient.
The app works on most modern devices, but older phones, tablets, or streaming devices may not support the highest quality. If you experience buffering or freezing, try closing other apps, moving closer to your Wi-Fi router, or restarting your device. Paramount Plus also allows offline downloads on some content, but live sports like the Super Bowl cannot be downloaded — you must stream them live.
What to do if the Super Bowl is not on Paramount Plus that year
If CBS does not have the broadcast rights, you can watch on the network that does. NBC broadcasts on Peacock (NBC's streaming service), Fox broadcasts on the Fox app and website, and ABC broadcasts on Hulu and the ABC app. All of these services require a subscription or cable login, similar to Paramount Plus.
Some cable and streaming TV providers (like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, and others) carry all four networks, so if you subscribe to one of those services, you can watch the Super Bowl regardless of which network has the rights that year. Check your provider's channel lineup to confirm they carry the broadcasting network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cable to watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus?
Not always. In most years when CBS broadcasts, a Paramount Plus subscription alone is enough. Some broadcasts have required a cable provider login as well, but this varies. When you try to watch, the app will tell you if a login is needed.
Can I watch the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus if I have the ad-supported plan?
Yes. Both the ad-supported and ad-free Paramount Plus plans include live sports broadcasts. You do not need to pay extra or upgrade to watch the Super Bowl.
What if I miss the live broadcast — can I watch a replay on Paramount Plus?
Paramount Plus usually makes the full game available to stream on-demand after the live broadcast ends, though availability may be limited depending on licensing. Check the app the day after the game to see if a replay is posted.
Will the Super Bowl stream in 4K on Paramount Plus?
Yes, Paramount Plus offers 4K streaming of the Super Bowl on compatible devices, but you need at least 25 Mbps internet speed. Standard HD streams at 8 Mbps or higher.
What if I have Paramount Plus but the Super Bowl still won't play?
First, confirm CBS is broadcasting that year — if another network has the rights, it will not be on Paramount Plus. If CBS is broadcasting, try restarting the app, clearing your cache, or updating to the latest version. If the problem persists, contact Paramount Plus support.