Yes, you can get NFL Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV, but your options are limited
NFL Sunday Ticket is sold through two routes: YouTube TV and YouTube's standalone Sunday Ticket app. If you do not want YouTube TV, you can buy Sunday Ticket directly through the YouTube TV website or the Sunday Ticket app itself — you do not need a YouTube TV subscription. The standalone version costs the same as the YouTube TV add-on and gives you the same games. The catch is that YouTube owns both products now, so you are still paying YouTube either way.
Before 2023, Sunday Ticket was sold only through DirecTV. That changed when YouTube signed the rights. If you were a DirecTV customer hoping to keep your existing Sunday Ticket plan, you lost that option when your contract ended — YouTube does not honor old DirecTV subscriptions.
Key Takeaways
- You can buy NFL Sunday Ticket as a standalone product through the YouTube TV website or the Sunday Ticket app without owning a YouTube TV subscription.
- The standalone Sunday Ticket costs the same as adding it to YouTube TV, so price does not change based on which route you choose.
- DirecTV no longer sells Sunday Ticket; YouTube acquired the rights and is the only seller as of the 2023 season.
- The Sunday Ticket app works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but streaming quality and device support vary by platform.
How to buy Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV
Go to nfl.com/sunday-ticket or read the official NFL Sunday Ticket app on your phone or tablet. Both routes take you to the same product. You will see pricing options — usually a full-season pass and a monthly pass. Select the one you want and enter your payment information. You do not need a YouTube TV account to complete the purchase.
Once you buy it, you log in with the email and password you created during checkout. The app and website remember your login, so you do not have to enter it every time. Games appear in the app on Sunday mornings during the NFL season.
If you already have a YouTube account for other reasons (Gmail, YouTube videos, Google Drive), you can use that same account to log into Sunday Ticket. YouTube will link them automatically. This does not mean you own YouTube TV — it just means your login is connected to your Google account.
What devices work with standalone Sunday Ticket
The Sunday Ticket app runs on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, Mac and Windows computers, and some smart TVs including Samsung, LG, and Roku models. You can also watch through a web browser on any computer by going to nfl.com/sunday-ticket and logging in.
Streaming quality depends on your internet speed. Sunday Ticket recommends at least 5 Mbps for standard definition and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, the app will lower the quality automatically to avoid buffering. You can also adjust the quality manually in the app settings.
Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV support varies by year and region. Check the app store on your specific device to see if Sunday Ticket is available. If it is not listed, you can still watch on a computer or phone and cast it to your TV using AirPlay (Apple devices) or Chromecast (Android and some smart TVs).
Price and what you get for the cost
Standalone Sunday Ticket costs the same whether you buy it alone or add it to YouTube TV. As of 2024, that means a full-season pass or a monthly pass at the same price point as the YouTube TV add-on. Prices change year to year, so check nfl.com/sunday-ticket for the current rate.
Your subscription covers all out-of-market games — the games that do not air on local broadcast channels in your area. If your local team is playing, you will see that game on your regular TV or through the network's own app. Sunday Ticket does not replace local broadcasts; it fills in the games you cannot get any other way.
The app includes replays and highlights after games end, so you can watch on your own schedule if you miss the live broadcast. You can also set notifications to alert you when your favorite team is about to play.
Why YouTube owns Sunday Ticket now
DirecTV held the rights to Sunday Ticket from 1994 until 2022. In 2022, the NFL signed a new deal with YouTube to take over starting in the 2023 season. YouTube paid billions for the rights and decided to sell it directly to consumers rather than through a cable or satellite provider.
This means there is no DirecTV version anymore. If you were a long-time DirecTV Sunday Ticket customer, your old subscription ended when the contract switched. You have to buy through YouTube now if you want Sunday Ticket.
Alternatives if you do not want to pay for Sunday Ticket
Your local broadcast channels show your home team's games for free. CBS, Fox, and ESPN air Sunday games throughout the season. If you have an antenna or a streaming service that includes these channels, you can watch your team without Sunday Ticket.
Some games are also broadcast nationally on ESPN, which you can watch through the ESPN app if you have a cable or streaming subscription that includes ESPN. The NFL also streams Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video at no extra cost if you have a Prime membership.
If you want to watch out-of-market teams but do not want to pay for Sunday Ticket, your options are limited. Some bars and restaurants with sports packages show Sunday Ticket games, though this varies by location. You can also check if your team's official website or app offers any free streaming options during the season.
Streaming quality and internet requirements
Sunday Ticket adjusts automatically to your internet speed. If you have a fast connection, you get the best quality available. If your connection is slower, the app reduces the bitrate to keep the stream smooth without buffering.
During peak hours on Sunday afternoons, your internet provider's network may get congested, which can affect streaming quality even if your connection is normally fast. If you experience buffering during games, try closing other apps and devices using your internet, or move closer to your router if you are on Wi-Fi.
You can also read games to watch later on some devices, though this feature is not available on all platforms. Check your specific device's app to see if offline viewing is supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need YouTube TV to watch Sunday Ticket?
No. You can buy Sunday Ticket as a standalone product through nfl.com/sunday-ticket or the Sunday Ticket app. You do not need a YouTube TV subscription. The price is the same either way.
Can I use my old DirecTV Sunday Ticket subscription?
No. DirecTV no longer sells Sunday Ticket. YouTube acquired the rights in 2023, and all subscriptions now go through YouTube. If your DirecTV contract ended, you must buy through YouTube to continue watching.
What if my internet is too slow for streaming?
The app will lower the quality automatically to match your speed. Sunday Ticket recommends 5 Mbps minimum for standard quality. If you still experience buffering, close other apps using your internet or move closer to your router.
Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my smart TV?
It depends on your TV model. Samsung, LG, and Roku TVs support the Sunday Ticket app. If your TV is not listed, you can watch on a phone or computer and cast it to your TV using AirPlay or Chromecast.
Do I get local games with Sunday Ticket?
No. Sunday Ticket shows only out-of-market games — the ones that do not air on your local broadcast channels. Your home team's games still air on CBS, Fox, or ESPN for free with an antenna or streaming service.