Not all NFL games are on YouTube TV, but most regular season and playoff games are
YouTube TV carries NFL games through its partnerships with CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. During the regular season, you will see most games on these channels. However, some games air exclusively on other platforms — primarily Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football) and Peacock (select Sunday games). A few games also air on the NFL Network, which YouTube TV does not carry.
The games available to you also depend on your location. YouTube TV uses local market rules, so you may see different games than someone in another state. If you want to watch a specific game and are not sure where it airs, the NFL's official schedule shows the broadcast channel for each matchup.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which broadcast most regular season NFL games, but not all games air on these channels.
- Amazon Prime Video has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, and Peacock streams some Sunday games that do not air on traditional TV.
- The NFL Network, which carries some games, is not part of YouTube TV's channel lineup.
- Your location determines which local games appear on your YouTube TV account, following NFL blackout and market rules.
- Checking the NFL's official schedule before game time tells you exactly which channel will broadcast each game.
What channels on YouTube TV show NFL games
YouTube TV includes four channels that regularly broadcast NFL games: CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. CBS and Fox split most Sunday afternoon games. NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football. ESPN carries Monday Night Football. These four channels make up the bulk of the regular season schedule.
During the playoffs, these same channels continue to carry games, though the schedule becomes more concentrated. The Super Bowl rotates among CBS, Fox, and NBC each year, so it will appear on whichever of those three channels has the rights that season.
If you have YouTube TV, you can watch these games live or record them to watch later using the service's cloud DVR feature. The DVR comes with 500 hours of storage at no extra cost.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. These games do not air on any traditional TV channel and are only available through a Prime Video subscription. If you want to watch Thursday games, you need Prime Video in addition to YouTube TV.
Peacock, NBC's streaming service, shows select Sunday games that do not air on NBC's main channel. These are typically afternoon games that Peacock streams exclusively. You need a Peacock subscription to watch them.
The NFL Network carries some games, particularly during the holiday season and playoffs. YouTube TV does not include the NFL Network, so you cannot watch these games through your YouTube TV account. Some games on the NFL Network also air on a traditional channel (like CBS or Fox), but not all do.
How local market rules affect what you see
YouTube TV follows NFL blackout and market rules, which means your location determines which games appear in your account. If you live in the market of a team playing a Sunday afternoon game, that game is "blacked out" on local channels and may only be available through NFL+, the league's own streaming service. Games that air on national channels (Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football) are usually available everywhere.
If you travel or move, your YouTube TV location updates automatically based on your internet connection. This can change which games you see. If you want to watch a game from a different market, you may need to use a VPN or subscribe to NFL+, though YouTube TV's terms of service restrict VPN use.
How to find out where a specific game airs
The easiest way to check is the NFL's official schedule at NFL.com. Search for the game by date or team, and the schedule shows the broadcast channel. You can also check your YouTube TV guide — search for the team name, and YouTube TV will show you which games are available in your account.
If a game does not appear in your YouTube TV guide, it is likely on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, or the NFL Network. Check those services or the NFL schedule to confirm. Some local games also air on regional sports networks that YouTube TV may not carry in your area.
Streaming options if you want all NFL games
No single streaming service carries every NFL game. To watch all games, you would need YouTube TV (for CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN), Amazon Prime Video (for Thursday Night Football), Peacock (for select Sunday games), and possibly NFL+ (for some local games and out-of-market content). The NFL Network is available through traditional cable or satellite, but not through YouTube TV.
If you only want to watch your favorite team, YouTube TV plus one or two additional services usually covers most of their games. If you want to watch every game across the league, you will need multiple subscriptions.
What happens during the playoffs and Super Bowl
Playoff games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — the same channels that carry regular season games. YouTube TV includes all of these, so you can watch most playoff games through your subscription. The Super Bowl airs on one of these three channels (CBS, Fox, or NBC) depending on the year, and YouTube TV carries it.
Some playoff games may also stream on Peacock or appear on the NFL Network. Check the NFL schedule as the playoffs approach to see which channel carries each game. YouTube TV's guide will show you which games are available in your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. Thursday Night Football airs exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. You need a Prime Video subscription to watch these games. YouTube TV does not carry them.
Will YouTube TV let me watch games from teams outside my local market?
Most national games (Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football) are available everywhere. Local Sunday afternoon games are blacked out in their home market. Out-of-market games may be available through NFL+, but YouTube TV's terms restrict how you can watch them.
Do I need YouTube TV to watch the Super Bowl?
The Super Bowl airs on CBS, Fox, or NBC depending on the year. If YouTube TV carries that channel in your area, you can watch it through your subscription. You do not need YouTube TV specifically — any service that includes that channel will work.
What if a game I want to watch is not showing up in my YouTube TV guide?
Check the NFL schedule to see which channel broadcasts the game. If it is on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, or the NFL Network, it will not appear in YouTube TV. You will need a subscription to that service to watch it.
Can I record NFL games on YouTube TV?
Yes. YouTube TV includes cloud DVR with 500 hours of storage. You can record any game that airs on a channel YouTube TV carries (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) and watch it later.