Peacock streams some NFL games, but not all of them

Peacock carries Thursday Night Football games during the NFL regular season. These are exclusive to Peacock — you cannot watch them on cable or broadcast television. Peacock also streams some playoff games and the occasional preseason game, depending on the year and NBC's broadcasting schedule.

The catch: Peacock does not have Monday Night Football, Sunday games, or most other regular-season matchups. Those air on ESPN, CBS, Fox, and other networks. If you want to watch a specific team or game, you need to know which network has it that week.

Peacock requires a paid subscription to watch live sports. The ad-supported plan ($5.99 per month) and the ad-free plan ($11.99 per month) both include Thursday Night Football. A free Peacock account does not.

Key Takeaways

  • Peacock streams Thursday Night Football exclusively during the NFL regular season, and you need a paid subscription to watch.
  • Peacock does not carry Monday Night Football, Sunday games, or most other regular-season matchups — those air on other networks.
  • Playoff games and preseason games may appear on Peacock depending on NBC's schedule for that year.
  • Both the ad-supported ($5.99/month) and ad-free ($11.99/month) Peacock plans include live sports; the free tier does not.

How to find which network has your team's game

The NFL schedule is divided among networks: CBS and Fox split most Sunday games, ESPN has Monday Night Football, and NBC has Thursday Night Football (on Peacock). Amazon Prime Video also carries Thursday Night Football in some years as part of a rotating agreement.

The easiest way to check is to visit NFL.com and search for your team's schedule. Each game listing shows the network. You can also check the Peacock app directly — it displays upcoming Thursday Night Football games in the Sports section.

Your cable or streaming provider's guide will also list which channel each game is on. If you use YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, or another live TV streaming service, their schedules show the network for every game.

What you need to watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock

You need a Peacock account with a paid subscription. Sign up at peacocktv.com or through the Peacock app on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or streaming device. Choose either the ad-supported plan ($5.99 per month) or the ad-free plan ($11.99 per month).

Once you are subscribed, open the Peacock app, go to Sports, and select the Thursday Night Football game. The stream is live during the game and available on-demand for a limited time afterward.

Peacock works on most devices: iPhones, Android phones, iPad, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, Chromecast, and web browsers. Check the Peacock website to confirm your device is supported before you subscribe.

When Thursday Night Football games are on Peacock

Thursday Night Football runs during the NFL regular season, which typically starts in early September and ends in early January. Games air on Thursday evenings, usually at 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time, though kickoff times can vary.

Peacock does not carry Thursday Night Football during the offseason (February through August). During the playoffs in January and early February, NBC may broadcast playoff games on television and stream them on Peacock, but the schedule changes year to year.

Check the Peacock app or NFL.com in late August to see the full Thursday Night Football schedule for the upcoming season. This tells you exactly which games will stream on Peacock.

Blackout rules and regional restrictions

Peacock does not enforce local blackout rules the way cable broadcasts do. You can watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock from anywhere in the United States, even if you live in the home market of one of the teams playing.

If you are outside the United States, Peacock is not available. You would need to check what streaming services carry NFL games in your country.

Other NFL content on Peacock

Beyond live Thursday Night Football games, Peacock carries NFL-related shows and replays. These include highlights, analysis programs, and full-game replays of past Thursday Night Football matchups. Some of this content is available on the free tier, while live games require a paid subscription.

Peacock also streams some preseason games and occasional playoff games depending on NBC's rights for that season. Check the Sports section of the app to see what is currently available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Sunday NFL games on Peacock?

No. Sunday games air on CBS and Fox. Peacock only carries Thursday Night Football and occasional playoff games that NBC broadcasts. To watch Sunday games, you need cable, a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Hulu with Live TV, or the NFL+ subscription service.

Do I need cable to watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock?

No. Peacock is a standalone streaming service. You do not need cable or a cable login to watch. You only need a Peacock paid subscription and an internet connection.

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock if I have the free plan?

No. The free Peacock tier does not include live sports. You must subscribe to either the ad-supported plan ($5.99/month) or the ad-free plan ($11.99/month) to watch Thursday Night Football.

What happens if I miss a Thursday Night Football game?

Full-game replays are usually available on-demand through Peacock for a limited time after the game ends. You can also watch highlights and condensed versions. Check the Peacock app the day after the game to see what replay options are available.

Can I watch Thursday Night Football on Peacock outside the United States?

No. Peacock is only available in the United States. If you are traveling abroad, you will not be able to stream Thursday Night Football through Peacock. Check what streaming services carry NFL games in the country you are visiting.