Paramount Plus carries some NFL games, but not all of them
Paramount Plus shows NFL games on Thursday nights through an agreement with the NFL that runs through 2033. These are regular-season games only — the service does not carry playoffs, the Super Bowl, or preseason matchups. The Thursday Night Football package is the only NFL content Paramount Plus offers, so if you want to watch Monday night, Sunday afternoon, or Sunday night games, you will need a different service or cable subscription.
The games air live on Thursday evenings during the NFL regular season, which runs from September through early January. Paramount Plus is the exclusive streaming home for Thursday Night Football, meaning you cannot watch these games anywhere else online without a cable login or a separate NFL subscription.
Key Takeaways
- Paramount Plus streams Thursday Night Football games live during the regular season, but no other NFL games.
- These games are exclusive to Paramount Plus streaming — they do not air on cable or other streaming services.
- Playoff games, the Super Bowl, and preseason games are not available on Paramount Plus.
- You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch; the games are not available to free-tier users.
- Other NFL games air on ESPN Plus, Amazon Prime Video, the NFL Plus app, and traditional cable networks.
What subscription level you need for Thursday Night Football
Thursday Night Football requires a paid Paramount Plus subscription. The service offers two paid tiers: Paramount Plus with ads and Paramount Plus Premium (ad-free). Both tiers include access to the Thursday night games — there is no separate sports package or add-on fee.
The free version of Paramount Plus does not include live sports, so you cannot watch the games without paying. If you already subscribe to Paramount Plus for movies and TV shows, you have access to the Thursday games at no additional cost.
Which NFL games air on other streaming services
The NFL splits its broadcast rights among several services, so Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus is only one piece of the weekly schedule. Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football games as well — Amazon has a separate agreement with the NFL that overlaps with Paramount Plus's package, so some Thursday games appear on both services.
ESPN Plus streams Monday Night Football games and some Sunday matchups. The NFL Plus app (the league's own streaming service) carries out-of-market games and some live broadcasts, though blackout rules explore to local games in your area. Traditional cable networks — CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — still broadcast the majority of Sunday and Monday games, and you can watch those through a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, or Sling TV.
How to find Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus
Open the Paramount Plus app or website and look for the Sports section or search for "Thursday Night Football." During the NFL season, the upcoming game is usually featured prominently on the home screen. You can also check the NFL's official schedule to confirm which network is broadcasting each week's game.
Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday evenings. Paramount Plus allows you to stream on multiple devices at once depending on your subscription tier, so you can watch on a phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer.
Blackout rules and regional restrictions
Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus is available nationwide without blackout restrictions — you can watch from anywhere in the United States. This is different from some other NFL streaming options, which may black out games in your local market if a local cable broadcast is happening.
You do need to be in the United States to access Paramount Plus sports content. If you are outside the U.S., the service may not be available, or the games may not be included in your regional version of the app.
What happens during the NFL offseason
Paramount Plus does not show NFL games during the offseason (February through August). The Thursday Night Football package only covers regular-season games, so the service returns to its regular entertainment content once the season ends in early January.
If you subscribe to Paramount Plus year-round, you will still have access to movies, TV shows, and other sports content during the offseason. The service does not offer a sports-only subscription tier, so you cannot pause your membership and reactivate it just for football season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus if I have the free version?
No. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include live sports. You must have a paid subscription (either with ads or ad-free) to watch Thursday Night Football games.
Are playoff games and the Super Bowl on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus only carries regular-season Thursday Night Football games. Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on traditional broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC) and are not available on Paramount Plus.
Can I watch Sunday or Monday NFL games on Paramount Plus?
No. Paramount Plus carries only Thursday Night Football. Sunday and Monday games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, ESPN Plus, and Amazon Prime Video, depending on the week.
Do I need a cable login to watch Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus?
No. You only need a Paramount Plus subscription. Unlike some sports content, Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus does not require a cable login or cable subscription.
What if a Thursday Night Football game is blacked out in my area?
Thursday Night Football on Paramount Plus does not have blackout restrictions. You can watch the game from anywhere in the United States as long as you have a paid Paramount Plus subscription.