Peacock carries 16 NFL games during the 2024 regular season, all on Thursday nights
Peacock streams one game per Thursday night throughout the NFL regular season, from September through January. These are exclusive broadcasts — you cannot watch them on cable or over-the-air television. The games air at 8:20 p.m. ET and feature two teams from the league's full schedule each week.
To watch, you need a Peacock account. The service offers a free tier with ads and a paid Premium tier without ads. NFL games are available on both tiers, though the free version includes commercials during the broadcast.
Key Takeaways
- Peacock broadcasts 16 Thursday night NFL games during the 2024 regular season, one per week from September through January.
- These games are exclusive to Peacock and do not air on traditional television or other streaming services.
- You can watch on either the free ad-supported tier or the paid Premium tier of Peacock.
- Games begin at 8:20 p.m. ET each Thursday and feature rotating matchups across the league's schedule.
- Peacock does not stream Sunday, Monday, or playoff games — those air on other networks under separate broadcast agreements.
What Peacock's NFL Schedule Covers
Peacock's Thursday night package includes games from Week 1 through Week 18 of the regular season. The matchups rotate, so different teams appear on different weeks. You will not see the same team play every Thursday — the schedule spreads games across the league's 32 teams throughout the season.
These Thursday night slots are part of the NFL's broader broadcast agreements. NBC, which owns Peacock, holds the rights to Thursday Night Football, and Peacock streams every game in that window. If you want to watch a specific team's Thursday appearance, you can check the NFL schedule on NFL.com or search within the Peacock app to see when they play.
The 16-game count represents one game per week across the 18-week regular season, with two weeks without Thursday Night Football games. This schedule has remained consistent in recent years as part of NBC's long-term contract with the NFL.
How to Watch on Peacock
read the Peacock app on your device — phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer — or visit peacock.com in a web browser. Sign in with your Peacock account or create one if you do not have one yet. The free tier requires no payment; the Premium tier costs a monthly fee that varies by region and promotional offers.
On game day, open the app and look for the NFL game in the sports section or featured on the home page. Peacock usually promotes Thursday Night Football prominently during the season. Tap or click the game, and the broadcast will begin at 8:20 p.m. ET. You can watch live or, on most games, return later to watch a replay if you miss the live broadcast.
Peacock's Free Tier vs. Premium for NFL Games
Both the free and Premium versions of Peacock stream the same NFL games without any difference in content or video quality. The primary difference is advertising. The free tier shows commercials during the broadcast, while Premium removes ads entirely.
If you already subscribe to Peacock for other content like movies or shows, you can watch NFL games with your existing account at no extra charge. If you do not currently subscribe, you can create a free account and watch with ads, or pay for Premium to remove them. Either way, the game itself is the same broadcast.
What You Cannot Watch on Peacock
Peacock does not stream Sunday or Monday night games, playoff games, or the Super Bowl. Those broadcasts air on CBS, Fox, ESPN, and other networks under separate agreements with the NFL. Peacock's exclusive window is Thursday nights only during the regular season.
If you want to watch the full NFL season across all days and times, you will need multiple services. Cable, broadcast networks, ESPN+, and Peacock together cover the complete schedule. Peacock is one piece of the puzzle, not a complete NFL viewing solution on its own.
Checking Your Local Blackout Rules
The NFL enforces local blackout rules in some cases, though they are less common than they once were. A blackout means a game available on Peacock nationally might not stream in a specific market. This typically happens when a local team's game is not sold out, though blackouts have become rare in recent years as the league has relaxed these restrictions.
If you cannot find a game on Peacock that you expected to see, check the Peacock app or NFL.com to confirm whether a blackout applies in your area. The app will usually display a message explaining why a game is unavailable in your location if a blackout is in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for Peacock to watch NFL games?
No. Peacock's free tier streams all Thursday Night Football games with commercials. You only pay if you want to remove ads by upgrading to Premium.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on cable or regular TV?
No. Peacock has exclusive rights to stream these games. They do not air on cable channels or broadcast television. Peacock is the only place to watch them live.
What time do the games start?
Thursday Night Football games on Peacock begin at 8:20 p.m. ET. The exact time may shift slightly depending on the broadcast, but this is the standard start time for the season.
Can I watch games on my smart TV?
Yes. read the Peacock app on your smart TV from its app store, sign in, and stream the game to your television. Peacock works on most major smart TV platforms, including Roku, Samsung, LG, Apple TV, and others.
Are replays available after the game ends?
Yes. Peacock typically makes games available to watch on demand after they air live, though the exact replay window may vary. Check the app the day after a game to find the replay in the sports section.