Yes, you can watch NFL games through several other services and routes
You do not need YouTube TV to watch NFL games. The NFL is broadcast on multiple networks — CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — and you can access those broadcasts through cable, satellite, streaming services that are not YouTube TV, or the NFL's own platforms. The route that works best depends on which games you want to watch, whether you already pay for other services, and how much you want to spend.
The main trade-off is between cost and convenience. Cable and satellite give you the most games but cost the most. Streaming services like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV cost less than cable but may not carry every game in your area. The NFL's own services — NFL+ and NFL Sunday Ticket — focus on specific game types and have their own limits on what you can watch and when.
Key Takeaways
- Cable and satellite services carry all four networks that broadcast NFL games, so you get every game your local market receives.
- Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV are streaming alternatives that cost less than cable but may not include every channel in your area.
- NFL+ streams some games but excludes local and primetime broadcasts, so it works best as a second option rather than your only source.
- NFL Sunday Ticket, now owned by YouTube (but separate from YouTube TV), carries out-of-market games and costs between $300 and $500 per season depending on the plan.
- Free options exist but are limited: some games air on broadcast networks you can pick up with an antenna, and the NFL streams a few games free on its website and app.
Cable and satellite: every game in your market
Cable providers like Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, and Cox, plus satellite services like DirecTV and Dish Network, all carry CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. If you already have cable or satellite for other reasons, you have access to every NFL game broadcast in your local market without paying extra.
The downside is cost. Cable and satellite packages that include sports channels typically start at $60 to $100 per month, depending on your provider and location. You also get channels you may not watch. If you only want NFL games and do not use cable for anything else, this is the most expensive route.
One advantage: if you have cable or satellite, you can usually stream those same channels through the provider's app or website using your login. This means you can watch games on your phone or computer without being in front of the TV.
Streaming services with live TV: lower cost, fewer channels
Hulu + Live TV costs around $77 per month and includes ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in most markets, plus ESPN. That covers the vast majority of regular-season NFL games. It does not include every channel in every market, so check your zip code on Hulu's website before you sign up.
Sling TV costs $40 to $55 per month depending on the package. The base plan includes ESPN and Fox in most areas. To get NBC and CBS, you need the higher tier. Like Hulu, Sling's channel lineup varies by location.
FuboTV costs around $80 per month and includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN in most markets. It is built more for sports than Hulu or Sling, so it tends to have better coverage of regional sports networks as well.
All three services let you stream on your phone, tablet, or computer. All three also offer a free trial period — usually 7 to 14 days — so you can test whether your local channels are included before you pay.
NFL+: some games, but not the ones you might expect
NFL+ is the NFL's own streaming service and costs $7 per month or $80 per year. It streams some regular-season games, but with important limits: it does not include local games (the ones broadcast in your home market), primetime games (Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football), or playoff games.
What it does include: out-of-market games during the regular season, so if you want to watch a team that does not play in your area, NFL+ can work. It also includes all preseason games and replays of past games. If you are a fan of a specific team that plays outside your market, NFL+ might be worth the low cost. If you want to watch your local team or the big primetime matchups, you need something else.
NFL+ also includes the NFL app and website, so you can read news and watch highlights for free even without a paid subscription.
NFL Sunday Ticket: out-of-market games, higher price
NFL Sunday Ticket is now owned by YouTube but is a separate product from YouTube TV. It costs between $300 and $500 per season depending on whether you are a student, a military member, or a regular subscriber. It streams every out-of-market game played on Sunday afternoons — the games that do not air on your local channels.
Sunday Ticket does not include local games, primetime games, or Thursday and Monday night games. It is designed for people who want to watch multiple teams or follow a team that does not play in their market. If you only care about your local team or the nationally broadcast games, you do not need it.
You can buy Sunday Ticket through YouTube's website, or through traditional TV providers like DirecTV if you already have their service. YouTube offers a free trial period at the start of the season.
Free options: limited but real
Some NFL games are broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC, which are free over the air if you have an antenna. This includes most regular-season games that air on Sunday afternoons and some primetime games. An antenna costs $20 to $60 one time, and you get those channels free forever after.
The NFL also streams a small number of games free on its website and app throughout the season, though these are not always the marquee matchups. Check NFL.com or the NFL app to see which games are available free in a given week.
Beyond that, some bars and restaurants show games, and some libraries have computers where you can stream games if you have a login from a cable provider or streaming service.
Comparing cost and what you get
| Service | Cost per month | Local games | Primetime games | Out-of-market games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable/satellite | $60–$100 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hulu + Live TV | $77 | Yes (most markets) | Yes | No |
| Sling TV | $40–$55 | Partial | Partial | No |
| FuboTV | $80 | Yes (most markets) | Yes | No |
| NFL+ | $7 | No | No | Yes |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | $25–$42 per month (seasonal) | No | No | Yes |
| Antenna (one-time) | $20–$60 | Yes (broadcast only) | Some | No |
How to choose based on what you watch
If you want to watch your local team and primetime games, you need either cable, satellite, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV. Of those, Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV are cheaper than cable and work on any device. Check their websites to confirm your local channels are included in your zip code before you sign up.
If you want to watch multiple teams or a team outside your market, combine a cheap option like Sling TV or an antenna with NFL+ or Sunday Ticket. This costs less than a full cable package and gives you more flexibility.
If you only want to watch a few games a season and do not mind waiting for replays, NFL+ at $7 per month or $80 per year is the cheapest option. You can also use free streams on NFL.com and watch highlights on the NFL app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football without YouTube TV?
Yes. Thursday Night Football airs on Amazon Prime Video (included free with a Prime membership), plus on NFL Network and some local channels depending on the game. You can also watch it on Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, or cable if those services include the right channels in your area.
Do I need an antenna to watch NFL games for free?
An antenna lets you watch games broadcast on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC for free, but you need the antenna hardware. Some games are also streamed free on NFL.com and the NFL app, though the selection is limited. You do not need an antenna for those free streams.
Can I watch out-of-market games without paying extra?
Not easily. Out-of-market games are blocked on most services to protect local broadcasters. NFL+ and NFL Sunday Ticket both carry out-of-market games, but they cost extra. Some bars and restaurants show all games, and some cable providers include Sunday Ticket with a sports package.
What happens if my streaming service does not carry a game I want to watch?
Check whether the game is broadcast on a free channel in your area — you can find the broadcast schedule on NFL.com. If it is, an antenna will pick it up. If not, you may need to upgrade your streaming service or watch a replay later on the NFL app or ESPN+.
Is there a way to watch NFL games on my phone without a subscription?
The NFL app and NFL.com stream some games free, and you can watch highlights and replays free anytime. If you have a cable or streaming login, you can use the apps for those services to stream games on your phone. Otherwise, your options are limited to the free games the NFL offers each week.