Monday Night Football is not on Peacock

Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, and ESPN's games are not available through Peacock. If you want to watch MNF, you need a cable or satellite subscription that includes ESPN, or you can stream it through the ESPN app or ESPN+ (which is a separate paid service from Peacock).

Peacock does carry some NFL content — specifically, Sunday Night Football games and some playoff games — but the Monday night slot belongs to ESPN and is not part of Peacock's streaming rights.

If you already subscribe to Peacock for other sports or entertainment, you will need to add ESPN+ or get ESPN through another method to watch Monday night games.

Key Takeaways

  • Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, not Peacock, so a Peacock subscription alone will not let you watch MNF games.
  • Peacock does stream Sunday Night Football and some NFL playoff games, but these are different from the Monday night broadcast.
  • To watch Monday Night Football, you can use the ESPN app, subscribe to ESPN+, or watch through a cable or satellite provider that includes ESPN.
  • ESPN+ is a separate subscription from Peacock and costs money in addition to any other streaming services you use.

What NFL games Peacock actually streams

Peacock's NFL content is limited to specific games and time slots. The service carries Sunday Night Football games throughout the regular season and playoffs. Peacock also streams some playoff games, including Wild Card round games and other postseason matchups, depending on the year.

These games are included with a Peacock subscription (either the free tier with ads or the paid Premium tier), so if you already pay for Peacock, you can watch Sunday night games at no extra cost. However, this does not extend to Monday night games, which remain on ESPN.

How to watch Monday Night Football instead

The most direct way is through ESPN+, which streams all Monday Night Football games. ESPN+ is a standalone subscription service that costs money separate from Peacock. You can sign up through the ESPN website or through the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device.

If you already have cable or satellite TV that includes ESPN, you can also watch MNF on the ESPN channel or stream it through the ESPN app by signing in with your cable credentials. Some cable packages bundle ESPN+ with other services, so check your provider's offerings.

Another option is to watch through a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV, all of which include ESPN in their base packages. These services cost more than ESPN+ alone but give you access to many other channels as well.

ESPN+ vs. Peacock for football

If you are deciding between these two services for football, know that they carry different games. Peacock is the home of Sunday Night Football and some playoff games. ESPN+ is where you watch Monday Night Football and also carries some college football and other sports.

If you want to watch both Sunday and Monday night NFL games, you would need both subscriptions. Some people find it simpler to use a live TV streaming service instead, which bundles ESPN, NBC (where Sunday Night Football also airs), and other channels into one subscription, though the cost is higher.

Free ways to watch Monday Night Football

There is no free way to stream Monday Night Football legally. ESPN+ requires a paid subscription, and the ESPN app requires either an ESPN+ subscription or cable login credentials.

Some bars, restaurants, and sports lounges have ESPN and will show MNF games. If you do not have a home subscription, watching at a venue with a license to broadcast is a legal option, though it requires you to be there in person.

What to check before you subscribe

Before paying for ESPN+, confirm that your cable or satellite package does not already include it. Some providers bundle ESPN+ with their TV service at no extra charge, or offer it at a discount. Call your provider or log into your account online to see what is included.

Also check whether you have access to the ESPN app through your current cable login. If you do, you can watch MNF games through the app without buying ESPN+ separately — you just need to sign in with your cable credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Monday Night Football with a free Peacock account?

No. Peacock does not carry Monday Night Football at any subscription level. Monday night games are on ESPN and require either an ESPN+ subscription, a cable login, or a live TV streaming service that includes ESPN.

Does ESPN+ come with Peacock?

No, ESPN+ and Peacock are separate services owned by different companies. You must pay for them separately. Some cable providers bundle ESPN+ with their TV packages, so check with your provider before buying ESPN+ on its own.

What is the cheapest way to watch Monday Night Football?

ESPN+ is usually the cheapest option if you only want MNF. If your cable package already includes ESPN, using the ESPN app with your cable login costs nothing extra. Live TV streaming services cost more but include many other channels.

Will Peacock ever get Monday Night Football?

Peacock's NFL rights are set by contract and currently cover Sunday Night Football and some playoff games. Monday Night Football is under ESPN's contract. Contracts can change, but there is no announced plan for Peacock to carry MNF in the near future.

Can I watch Monday Night Football on my phone with Peacock?

No. Peacock does not stream Monday Night Football on any device. You would need the ESPN app or ESPN+ on your phone to watch MNF games on a mobile device.