Yes, you can watch some NFL games on Peacock, but not all of them
Peacock streams Thursday Night Football exclusively during the NFL regular season. These games are included with a Peacock Premium subscription — you do not need to pay extra. However, Sunday and Monday night games, playoff games, and the Super Bowl air on other networks and are not available on Peacock.
The Thursday Night Football package runs from September through early January each year. Games typically start at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time. If you have a Peacock account, you can watch on the Peacock app, website, or through a connected TV device.
Peacock Premium costs $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads. If you already subscribe to Comcast, Xfinity, or certain other services, you may have Peacock Premium included at no extra cost.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock streams Thursday Night Football games live during the NFL regular season as part of a Premium subscription.
- Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and playoff games are broadcast on other networks and are not on Peacock.
- You need a Peacock Premium account ($5.99 or $11.99 per month) to watch Thursday games; the free tier does not include them.
- Games are available on the Peacock app, website, and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire Stick.
What games are actually on Peacock
Peacock holds the exclusive streaming rights to Thursday Night Football only. This means every Thursday night game during the regular season streams on Peacock and nowhere else. The package does not include preseason games, playoff games, or the Super Bowl.
If you want to watch Sunday Night Football, you need NBC's broadcast or the NBC app. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN. Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship games air on CBS, Fox, or ESPN depending on the year. The Super Bowl rotates between CBS, Fox, and NBC.
Peacock also shows some NFL-related content like highlights, analysis shows, and replays of past games, but these are separate from live Thursday games.
How to watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock
Open the Peacock app or go to peacock.com on your web browser. Sign in with your email and password. Search for "Thursday Night Football" or navigate to the Sports section. When a game is live, you will see it listed with the start time and teams playing.
You can also set reminders for upcoming games. Peacock will notify you when a game is about to start if you turn on notifications in your account settings.
If you are watching on a TV, you can use the Peacock app on Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TV, or LG Smart TV. You can also cast from your phone to a Chromecast device or use AirPlay on Apple devices.
Peacock Premium vs. Free tier for NFL games
Thursday Night Football requires Peacock Premium. The free Peacock tier does not include live NFL games. You must pay either $5.99 per month with ads or $11.99 per month without ads to watch.
The ad-supported Premium plan shows commercials during games, just like broadcast television. The ad-free plan removes those interruptions but costs more. Both tiers offer the same game quality and access to the full game library.
If you have Comcast Xfinity, Comcast Business, Cox, or certain other cable or internet providers, you may already have Peacock Premium included in your service at no extra charge. Check your provider's website or call customer service to confirm.
What devices can stream Peacock NFL games
You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. The Peacock app works on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. On a computer, use peacock.com in any web browser.
For TV viewing, Peacock is available on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Vizio Smart TVs. You can also connect your phone or tablet to a TV using Chromecast, AirPlay, or Miracast, depending on your device.
Internet speed matters. Peacock recommends at least 8 Mbps for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, you may experience buffering or lower picture quality.
Internet and streaming quality on Peacock
Peacock streams Thursday Night Football in HD by default on most devices. Some newer devices and connections support 4K streaming, which offers sharper picture quality but uses more data.
You can adjust video quality in your Peacock account settings. If you have a slower internet connection or limited data, lowering the quality setting can prevent buffering. Peacock will also automatically adjust quality based on your connection speed if you enable that option.
Live sports streams can occasionally experience technical issues like brief freezes or audio delays. These are usually temporary and resolve within seconds. If you experience persistent problems, restart the app or your device.
Other ways to watch NFL games if Peacock does not have them
For games not on Peacock, you have several options. Sunday Night Football streams on the NBC app and Peacock's parent company NBC.com with a cable login. Monday Night Football is on ESPN+ (the streaming service) or ESPN's cable channel.
The NFL also offers NFL+, a separate subscription service ($6.99 per month or $69.99 per year) that streams live local and primetime games on phones and tablets, plus out-of-market games on TV. This is different from Peacock and requires its own subscription.
Your cable or satellite provider may also let you stream games through their app if you have a sports package. Check your provider's website for details on which games and apps are included with your plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cable to watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock?
No. You only need a Peacock Premium subscription, which you can buy directly from Peacock without cable. However, if you already have cable from certain providers like Comcast or Cox, Peacock Premium may be included at no extra cost.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football for free on Peacock?
No. Thursday Night Football is only available with Peacock Premium ($5.99 or $11.99 per month). The free Peacock tier does not include live NFL games.
What happens if I miss a Thursday night game?
Peacock makes full game replays available after the live broadcast ends. You can watch the entire game on demand through the Peacock app or website. Highlights are also posted shortly after the game finishes.
Can I watch playoff games or the Super Bowl on Peacock?
No. Peacock only has Thursday Night Football. Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, or ESPN depending on the year and are not streamed on Peacock.
Does Peacock work outside the United States?
Peacock is only available in the United States. If you are traveling internationally, you will not be able to stream games. Some games may be available through local broadcasters in other countries.