Paramount Plus carries Thursday Night Football during the NFL regular season, plus some playoff games and the Super Bowl when CBS has broadcast rights
Paramount Plus shows Thursday Night Football live during the NFL regular season, which runs from September through early January. The service also carries playoff games and the Super Bowl in years when CBS holds the broadcast rights for those matchups — the Super Bowl rotates among networks annually, so it is not on Paramount Plus every year. All other NFL games — Monday Night Football, Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football, and most playoff matchups — air on different networks and streaming services, so you will not find them on Paramount Plus alone.
CBS owns the rights to Thursday Night Football through 2033, which means those games will remain on Paramount Plus for the foreseeable future. The specific playoff games and Super Bowl availability depends on which network's turn it is that season. If you want to watch NFL football across multiple nights and networks, you will need subscriptions to ESPN Plus, Peacock, and the Fox Sports app in addition to Paramount Plus.
Key Takeaways
- Thursday Night Football airs live on Paramount Plus every week during the regular season from September through early January.
- Playoff games and the Super Bowl appear on Paramount Plus only in years when CBS holds the broadcast rights for those games.
- Monday Night Football is on ESPN Plus, Sunday Night Football is on Peacock, and Sunday afternoon games are on the Fox Sports app — each requires a separate subscription.
- Both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers of Paramount Plus include Thursday Night Football at no extra cost.
- You can watch on the Paramount Plus app, website, or by casting to a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick.
How to find Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus
Open the Paramount Plus app or website and navigate to the Sports section. During the season, Thursday Night Football usually appears prominently on the home screen. You can also search for "Thursday Night Football" directly in the search bar. Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though kickoff times occasionally vary.
Once you locate the game, tap or click to open it and select "Watch Live." The stream should begin when ready if the game is currently airing. If you are watching on a phone or tablet, you can cast the stream to a compatible TV using Chromecast, AirPlay, or your device's built-in casting feature.
Which subscription tier includes football games
Both the ad-supported and ad-free tiers of Paramount Plus include Thursday Night Football at no extra charge. You do not need to upgrade or pay additional fees to watch these games — they come with any active Paramount Plus subscription, regardless of which tier you choose.
If you do not yet have Paramount Plus, you can start a subscription directly through the app or website. The service occasionally offers a free trial period, though the length and availability of trials vary by location and current promotions. Check the Paramount Plus website for current trial offers in your area.
What other football is available on streaming services
If you want to watch NFL games beyond Thursday Night Football, you will need multiple subscriptions. ESPN Plus carries Monday Night Football and some playoff games. Peacock (NBC's streaming service) shows Sunday Night Football. The Fox Sports app carries Sunday afternoon games, though some may require a cable login. Amazon Prime Video previously carried Thursday Night Football but does not currently hold those rights.
Broadcast rights change year to year, so the availability of specific games can shift. Before the season starts, check each streaming service's schedule to see which games they will carry. This helps you decide which subscriptions you actually need rather than paying for services that do not have the games you want to watch.
When Thursday Night Football is not on Paramount Plus
During the NFL offseason (February through August), there are no Thursday Night Football games to watch. The regular season typically begins in early September and runs through early January. Playoff games begin in mid-January and continue through the Super Bowl in early February.
If you are looking for football outside the NFL season, Paramount Plus does not carry college football games as part of its standard service. College football airs on ESPN, Fox, and other networks with their own streaming options. The NFL is the only football league with regular games on Paramount Plus.
Checking the schedule and setting reminders
The NFL releases its full schedule in May for the upcoming season. You can find the complete schedule on NFL.com or through the Paramount Plus app itself. The app displays upcoming Thursday Night Football games in the Sports section with dates, times, and team matchups. This makes it straightforward to plan ahead and know which games are coming.
Set a reminder on your phone or calendar for games you want to watch. Thursday Night Football games can occasionally be rescheduled due to weather, injuries, or other factors, so check the Paramount Plus app the day before to confirm the kickoff time. This takes only a moment and prevents you from missing a game due to a time change.
Watching on different devices
You can watch Thursday Night Football on the Paramount Plus app, which is available on most smart TVs, streaming devices, phones, and tablets. read the app on your device, sign in with your Paramount Plus account, and navigate to the game. The app works on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV, and most other major platforms.
If your TV does not have the Paramount Plus app built in, you can connect a streaming device like a Roku or Fire Stick to your TV and read the app there. You can also use a cable connected to your TV or cast from your phone or tablet using Chromecast or AirPlay. All of these methods give you the same live stream and picture quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cable login to watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus?
No. A Paramount Plus subscription is enough to watch Thursday Night Football. You do not need cable or a cable provider login. Some users occasionally see login prompts, but these are usually account verification steps rather than a requirement to have cable service.
Does Paramount Plus show the Super Bowl every year?
Only when CBS has the broadcast rights. The Super Bowl rotates among CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. In years when CBS broadcasts it, the game appears on Paramount Plus. Check the NFL schedule in January to see which network is showing that year's Super Bowl.
What if I want to watch games on Monday or Sunday nights?
You will need subscriptions to other services. ESPN Plus carries Monday Night Football, Peacock carries Sunday Night Football, and the Fox Sports app shows Sunday afternoon games. Each service requires its own subscription or cable login.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football if I am traveling or outside the United States?
Paramount Plus is available in the United States and some other countries, but availability and content vary by location. If you are traveling within the US, you should be able to watch with your Paramount Plus account. Outside the US, check whether Paramount Plus operates in that country and what content it offers there.
What happens if the game is blacked out in my area?
Thursday Night Football is not subject to local blackout rules like some Sunday games are. You should be able to watch the game regardless of your location within the United States, as long as you have an active Paramount Plus subscription.