Paramount+ will not carry the Super Bowl in 2026
The 2026 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LX) will air on CBS, not on Paramount+. CBS owns the broadcast rights to that game, and while Paramount+ is owned by the same parent company (Paramount Global), the streaming service does not automatically get Super Bowl broadcasts. Each Super Bowl's streaming availability depends on which network holds the television rights for that specific year.
If you want to watch the 2026 Super Bowl, you will need either a cable subscription to CBS or a live TV streaming service that includes CBS in your area. Paramount+ alone will not be enough, even though you might have a subscription for other content.
Key Takeaways
- CBS has the broadcast rights to the 2026 Super Bowl, so it will air on CBS television, not on Paramount+.
- Paramount+ does not automatically stream Super Bowls just because it is owned by Paramount Global; streaming rights are separate from broadcast rights.
- To watch on Paramount+, you would need CBS to hold the rights and then choose to stream it there, which has not been announced for 2026.
- Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV that include CBS in your area will carry the game.
- A standard cable subscription to CBS will also let you watch, either on television or through the CBS app if you log in with your cable credentials.
How Super Bowl broadcast rights work
The NFL sells Super Bowl television rights to different networks on a rotating basis. For 2026, CBS won the rights, which means CBS gets to broadcast the game on traditional television. Paramount+ is a separate business from the CBS television network, even though both are owned by Paramount Global. The company that owns a network does not automatically own the streaming rights to that network's content.
When a network like CBS gets Super Bowl rights, it can choose whether to also stream the game on its affiliated streaming service. CBS has streamed some Super Bowls on Paramount+ in the past, but that decision is made year by year. For the 2026 Super Bowl, there has been no announcement that it will stream on Paramount+.
Your options to watch the 2026 Super Bowl
The most straightforward way to watch is on CBS television if you have cable or satellite. You can watch on your TV set or, if your cable provider allows it, through the CBS app by logging in with your cable credentials.
If you do not have cable, a live TV streaming service is your next option. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and similar services carry CBS in most areas of the country. You would need to check whether CBS is included in your specific region, since coverage varies. These services typically cost between $40 and $80 per month, though some offer free trial periods.
A Paramount+ subscription alone will not work unless CBS later announces that the game will stream there. Even if you have Paramount+, you would still need one of the other options above to watch the 2026 Super Bowl.
Checking whether CBS streams the game on Paramount+
As the Super Bowl date gets closer, check the official Paramount+ website and the CBS Sports website for announcements about streaming. Paramount Global sometimes promotes Super Bowl streaming plans in the weeks leading up to the game, so you may see offers or news by late January 2026.
You can also check your Paramount+ app directly in early February 2026 to see if the Super Bowl appears in the live sports section. If it is there, you will be able to watch it with your existing subscription. If it is not listed, then streaming will not be available through that service for that year.
Why Paramount+ does not always have the Super Bowl
Paramount Global owns both CBS and Paramount+, but the company treats them as separate products with different revenue models. CBS makes money from advertising during television broadcasts, while Paramount+ makes money from subscription fees. When CBS gets Super Bowl rights, the company has to decide whether streaming it on Paramount+ helps or hurts its overall profit. Sometimes the answer is yes; sometimes it is no.
Additionally, the NFL has its own rules about how Super Bowl broadcasts can be distributed. The league wants to may support the game reaches the widest possible audience, which sometimes means limiting streaming to protect traditional television viewership. These restrictions change from year to year depending on the NFL's current strategy.
What happened with recent Super Bowls on Paramount+
Paramount+ has streamed some recent Super Bowls when CBS held the broadcast rights. However, the company has not announced whether it will do so for 2026. Past availability does not may provide future availability, so you should not assume the pattern will continue.
If you are planning to watch the 2026 Super Bowl and Paramount+ is your only streaming service, set a reminder to check for announcements in January 2026. That way you will have time to sign up for a live TV service or arrange cable access if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Super Bowl with just a Paramount+ subscription?
Not for the 2026 Super Bowl, since CBS has the broadcast rights and has not announced that it will stream on Paramount+. You would need cable, a live TV streaming service, or an announcement from Paramount+ that the game will be available there.
Will Paramount+ announce Super Bowl streaming before the game?
Typically yes, if it is going to happen. Paramount Global usually promotes Super Bowl streaming in the weeks before the game, so you would see the announcement by late January 2026. Check the Paramount+ app and website starting in early January to stay informed.
Is there a free way to watch the Super Bowl on CBS?
CBS broadcasts the Super Bowl free over the air if you have an antenna, or free through the CBS app if you log in with cable credentials. If you do not have cable, a live TV streaming service is the most affordable paid option, though some offer trial periods.
What if I have Paramount+ but no cable?
You would need to sign up for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV that includes CBS, or use an antenna to watch CBS over the air. Paramount+ alone will not be enough unless the company announces streaming for that specific year.
Can I use a VPN to watch the Super Bowl on Paramount+ from another country?
Paramount+ is only available in certain countries, and using a VPN to access it from outside those regions violates the service's terms of use. Even if you could access it, the Super Bowl would only be available if Paramount+ has streaming rights in your actual location.