Peacock streams some NFL games, but not all of them
Peacock carries exclusive Thursday Night Football games during the NFL season. These games air only on Peacock — you cannot watch them on cable or broadcast television. Peacock also streams playoff games and the Super Bowl when NBC has the broadcast rights, which rotates every few years. The specific games available depend on which network holds the rights in that season and whether Peacock has a streaming deal for those games.
If you want to watch a specific game, the easiest way to find out whether Peacock has it is to search the Peacock app or website for that game's date and teams. The app will show you whether the game streams there, or whether you need cable, a different streaming service, or an antenna.
Peacock requires a paid subscription to watch live sports. A Peacock Premium subscription (the mid-tier option) includes Thursday Night Football and most sports content. The Premium Plus tier removes ads but costs more. A free Peacock account does not include live sports.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock streams Thursday Night Football games exclusively during the NFL season, and these games do not air anywhere else.
- Peacock also carries playoff games and the Super Bowl when NBC holds the broadcast rights, which changes every few years.
- You need a paid Peacock Premium subscription or higher to watch live NFL games; free accounts do not include sports.
- Most regular-season Sunday and Monday games air on other networks and streaming services, not Peacock.
- The Peacock app and website show you which games are available to stream there before game day.
Thursday Night Football is Peacock's main NFL offering
Starting in the 2023 season, NBC moved Thursday Night Football exclusively to Peacock. Before that, some Thursday games aired on cable (NFL Network) or broadcast television (NBC), but now all of them stream only through Peacock during the regular season. This means if you want to watch Thursday Night Football, you must have a Peacock Premium subscription.
Thursday Night Football runs from September through early January, with games roughly every week. The exact schedule is released before each season. You can find the full schedule on the Peacock app, on NBC's website, or on the official NFL website.
Peacock streams these games live, and they are also available to rewatch for a period after they air. The rewatch window varies, so if you miss a live game, check the app to see whether a replay is still available.
Playoff games and the Super Bowl depend on which network has rights
The NFL rotates broadcast rights among NBC, CBS, Fox, and ESPN. NBC's rights cycle includes some playoff games and the Super Bowl in certain years. When NBC has those rights, Peacock streams them alongside the broadcast television airing.
In years when NBC does not hold playoff or Super Bowl rights, those games will not be on Peacock. For example, if CBS has the Super Bowl that year, you would need CBS or Paramount+ (CBS's streaming service) to watch it. The NFL's rights schedule is set years in advance, so you can check which network has rights for the upcoming season on the NFL's official website.
Regular Sunday and Monday games are on other networks
Most NFL games air on CBS, Fox, ESPN, or the NFL Network, not on Peacock. Sunday afternoon games are split between CBS and Fox. Sunday night games air on NBC and stream on Peacock, but these are not exclusive — they also air on broadcast television. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
If you are looking for a specific game and do not see it on Peacock, check the game's listing on the NFL website or your cable guide. That will tell you which network or streaming service carries it.
What you need to watch Peacock NFL games
You need a Peacock Premium subscription or higher. Peacock offers three tiers: Free (no live sports), Premium (includes live sports and some ads), and Premium Plus (includes live sports with no ads). The Premium tier is the minimum for NFL games.
You also need a device with the Peacock app or a web browser. Peacock works on phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick), and gaming consoles. You can read the app from your device's app store or visit peacocktv.com in a browser.
If you have a cable subscription that includes NBC, you may be able to sign in with your cable credentials to watch some NBC content on Peacock, but this does not cover Thursday Night Football, which requires a Peacock subscription regardless of cable status.
How to learn about a specific game is on Peacock
Open the Peacock app or website and search for the game by date, team name, or "Thursday Night Football." The search results will show you whether that game streams on Peacock and what time it starts. You can also check the NFL's official schedule on NFL.com, which lists which network carries each game.
If you see a game listed as "NBC" or "Peacock," it will stream on Peacock. If it says "CBS," "Fox," "ESPN," or "NFL Network," you will need a different service. Some games are available on multiple platforms — for example, a Sunday night game on NBC streams on Peacock but also airs on broadcast television.
Peacock's sports content beyond NFL games
Peacock carries other sports beyond football, including Premier League soccer, NHL hockey, and WWE wrestling. The app organizes live sports in a dedicated section, so you can browse what is available on any given day. If you subscribe for Thursday Night Football, you have access to all of Peacock's other sports content as well.
Peacock also streams replays and highlights of past games, sports documentaries, and analysis shows. These are available on-demand, so you can watch them whenever you want, not just during live broadcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football without a Peacock subscription?
No. Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Peacock, and you need a paid Premium subscription or higher. There is no free way to watch these games, and they do not air on cable or broadcast television.
Do I need cable to watch NFL games on Peacock?
No. You only need a Peacock Premium subscription and an internet connection. You do not need a cable subscription. Some cable subscribers can use their login credentials on Peacock, but that does not give you access to Thursday Night Football — you still need a separate Peacock subscription for that.
Will the Super Bowl be on Peacock next year?
It depends on which network has the rights that year. The NFL rotates Super Bowl rights among networks on a multi-year cycle. Check the NFL's official website or Peacock's sports schedule to see whether NBC has the Super Bowl in the upcoming season. If NBC does, it will stream on Peacock alongside the broadcast airing.
Can I rewatch Thursday Night Football games after they air?
Yes, Peacock makes replays available for a period after the live broadcast ends. The exact length of time varies, so check the app to see whether a replay is still available. You can also look for highlights and condensed versions of games in the Peacock sports section.
What if my internet cuts out during a live game?
If your connection drops, you can pause and resume the stream when your internet is back. Peacock remembers where you stopped. If the game is still live when you reconnect, you can resume from that point or jump to the live broadcast. After the game ends, you can rewatch it as a replay if it is still available.