NFL games on YouTube TV depend on your location and the broadcast network
YouTube TV carries NFL games through the major broadcast networks that hold the rights to air them: CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. Which games you see depends on where you live — your local CBS and Fox affiliates show regional games on Sunday afternoons, NBC shows Sunday Night Football, and ESPN shows Monday Night Football. YouTube TV does not carry NFL Network or the new Thursday Night Football games that moved to Amazon Prime Video in 2023, so you cannot watch those through the service.
The games available to you change week to week based on the NFL schedule and your market. If you live in New York, you might see a different Sunday afternoon game than someone in Los Angeles because CBS and Fox split the broadcast rights by region. YouTube TV's guide will show you exactly which games are coming to your local channels in the days before they air.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV carries NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — the four networks that hold broadcast rights.
- Sunday afternoon games on CBS and Fox are split by region, so your local market determines which teams you see.
- Sunday Night Football on NBC and Monday Night Football on ESPN are available nationwide to all YouTube TV subscribers.
- YouTube TV does not include NFL Network or Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football games.
- You can search the YouTube TV guide by team name or date to find upcoming games in your area.
How to find NFL games in your YouTube TV guide
Open the YouTube TV app or website and look at the guide for the upcoming week. Search for your team's name in the search bar at the top, or scroll through the sports section to see all games scheduled for that day. YouTube TV will show you which channel each game is on and what time it starts in your time zone.
If you want to watch a specific team, you can add that team to your favorites in the YouTube TV app. This creates a shortcut so you can see all their games at a glance without scrolling through the full schedule. The app will also send you notifications before games start if you turn on alerts for that team.
Regional games on Sunday afternoons
CBS and Fox each broadcast NFL games on Sunday afternoons, but they do not show the same games everywhere. CBS typically shows AFC teams in some markets and NFC teams in others, while Fox does the reverse. The network decides which game to send to your region based on which team is more likely to draw viewers in your area.
This means if you live in a market where the local team is playing, you will usually see that game on CBS or Fox. If the local team is not playing, you might see a nationally interesting matchup instead. YouTube TV's guide shows you what your region will receive, so you can plan ahead if you want to watch a team outside your market.
Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football
NBC's Sunday Night Football and ESPN's Monday Night Football are the same for all YouTube TV subscribers nationwide. These are prime-time games, so they air later in the evening and feature matchups the networks believe will draw the largest audience. You do not need to worry about regional blackouts or market restrictions for these games — if it is on NBC or ESPN, you can watch it.
Sunday Night Football typically starts at 8:20 p.m. Eastern time, and Monday Night Football starts at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though these times can shift depending on the schedule. YouTube TV's guide will show the exact start time for your time zone.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
YouTube TV does not carry NFL Network, which means you cannot watch games that air exclusively on that channel. Starting in 2023, Amazon Prime Video holds the rights to Thursday Night Football, so those games are not available through YouTube TV either. If a game is on one of those two services, you will need a separate subscription to watch it.
Some playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN, so you can watch those on YouTube TV. However, if the NFL moves any playoff games to NFL Network or another exclusive service in the future, YouTube TV would not carry them. Check the YouTube TV guide as the playoffs approach to see which games are available.
What to do if your team's game is blacked out
Regional blackout rules are set by the NFL and the individual teams, not by YouTube TV. A game is blacked out in your market when the local team has not sold enough tickets to fill the stadium. YouTube TV cannot override these blackouts — they are enforced at the network level before the broadcast reaches the service.
If a game is blacked out, YouTube TV's guide will show the game listed but will not let you play it. Your only option is to watch it on a different service if it is available there, or to wait for the game to air on a national network later in the week. Some teams post highlights or full game replays on their official websites or YouTube channels after the blackout period ends.
Streaming quality and device support
YouTube TV streams NFL games in up to 4K resolution if you have a compatible device and a strong internet connection. Most phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Google TV support YouTube TV. You can watch on up to three devices at the same time with a single YouTube TV account, though only one can stream in 4K.
For the best picture quality, use a wired internet connection if possible, or position your device close to your Wi-Fi router. YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for 4K. If you experience buffering or freezing during games, check your internet speed and close other apps that might be using bandwidth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV if I do not live in the team's market?
You can watch Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football from anywhere. For Sunday afternoon regional games on CBS and Fox, you see whatever game your local market receives, which may not be your team. If your team is playing in another region, you would need to find the game on a national broadcast or a different service.
Do I need a YouTube TV subscription to watch NFL games?
Yes, YouTube TV is a paid streaming service. You need an active subscription to watch any of its channels, including the ones that broadcast NFL games. YouTube TV offers a trial period, though the length and terms change periodically.
What happens if an NFL game is postponed or rescheduled?
YouTube TV's guide updates automatically when the NFL reschedules games. The game will appear on the new date and time in your guide. If you set a reminder for the original time, you may need to update it manually to the new time.
Can I record NFL games on YouTube TV?
Yes, YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings. You can record any NFL game that appears in your guide, and it will be saved for up to nine months. You can watch your recordings on any device where you are signed into YouTube TV.
Why is my team's game not showing in the guide?
If a game is not in the guide, it is likely on NFL Network or Amazon Prime Video, which YouTube TV does not carry. Check the NFL's official schedule to confirm which network is broadcasting the game, then look for it on that service instead.