You can get NFL Sunday Ticket through other services, but YouTube TV is currently the only way to stream all games
NFL Sunday Ticket is only available through YouTube TV as of 2023. If you do not want to use YouTube TV, your options are limited to watching games through your cable or satellite provider, or through the NFL's own streaming service for out-of-market games. YouTube TV is the exclusive streaming home for the full Sunday Ticket package, which includes all out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons.
The NFL signed a deal with YouTube and Google in 2022 that gave YouTube TV the rights to Sunday Ticket starting in the 2023 season. This means if you want to stream every out-of-market game without a cable subscription, YouTube TV is your only choice. However, there are other ways to watch NFL games that do not require Sunday Ticket at all.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV holds the exclusive streaming rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, so it is the only streaming service that offers the full package of out-of-market games.
- Cable and satellite providers like Comcast, DirecTV, and others still sell Sunday Ticket directly, though availability varies by provider and region.
- The NFL+ streaming service shows some games for free or through a paid tier, but does not include the full Sunday Ticket lineup.
- Local games broadcast on CBS, Fox, and other networks are available through free antenna, cable, or streaming services like Paramount+ and Fox Now.
What Sunday Ticket actually includes
NFL Sunday Ticket covers out-of-market games that air on Sunday afternoons. This means if you live in New York but want to watch a Kansas City Chiefs game that is not being broadcast in your area, Sunday Ticket lets you stream it. It does not include Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, or your local team's games — those air on other networks and services.
The package includes RedZone, a channel that jumps between games to show scoring plays and key moments. Sunday Ticket also offers the ability to watch multiple games at once on one screen. If you only care about your home team's games, you do not need Sunday Ticket at all, because local broadcasts are free or included with basic cable.
Getting Sunday Ticket through cable or satellite
DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity, and some other cable and satellite providers still sell NFL Sunday Ticket directly. You order it as an add-on to your existing service, and the cost varies by provider. This is the traditional way people have purchased Sunday Ticket for years, and it still works if you already have cable or satellite service.
Call your provider to ask if Sunday Ticket is available in your area and what the current price is. Availability depends on your location and provider — not all providers offer it in all regions. If you have cable or satellite already, this route may be cheaper than adding YouTube TV just for football.
Using NFL+ for free and paid streaming
The NFL runs its own streaming service called NFL+. The free tier shows live local games and out-of-market games on mobile devices only — you cannot watch on a TV or computer. The paid tier (NFL+ Premium) adds the ability to watch on any device and includes access to NFL RedZone, but it still does not include all the out-of-market games that Sunday Ticket does.
NFL+ is useful if you want to watch your home team's games on your phone or tablet, or if you want RedZone on a budget. However, it is not a full replacement for Sunday Ticket if you want to watch every out-of-market game on a television.
Watching games through broadcast networks and streaming services
Most NFL games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN, and these are available for free with an antenna or through your cable package. CBS and Fox games are also available through Paramount+ and Fox Now. ESPN games are on ESPN+ and cable. If you only want to watch your local team and the nationally broadcast games, you do not need Sunday Ticket at all.
Thursday Night Football streams on Amazon Prime Video. Monday Night Football is on ESPN. These games are included with your cable subscription or available through the individual streaming services. Combining these free and low-cost options covers most games throughout the season.
Comparing your options side by side
| Service | Cost | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV + Sunday Ticket | YouTube TV starts around $73/month; Sunday Ticket pricing varies | All out-of-market games, RedZone, local games | Streaming all games without cable |
| Cable/Satellite + Sunday Ticket | Varies by provider; Sunday Ticket add-on cost varies | All out-of-market games, RedZone, local games | People who already have cable |
| NFL+ Free | Free | Local games and some out-of-market games on mobile only | Watching on your phone |
| NFL+ Premium | Around $15/month or $150/year | Local games, RedZone, out-of-market games on any device | Budget-conscious fans who want RedZone |
| Free antenna + streaming services | Free to $15/month per service | Local games, nationally broadcast games, some out-of-market games | Casual fans who watch a few games per week |
What to consider before choosing a service
Think about which games you actually want to watch. If you only care about your home team, you do not need Sunday Ticket — local games are free or cheap. If you want to watch many different teams' out-of-market games, YouTube TV is your only streaming option for the full package. If you already pay for cable or satellite, adding Sunday Ticket to your existing service may cost less than switching to YouTube TV.
Consider the total cost of each option over a season. YouTube TV is a year-round service, so you pay for it even during the off-season if you want to keep it. Cable and satellite providers sometimes offer Sunday Ticket as a seasonal add-on, which you can cancel after the season ends. NFL+ Premium is the cheapest option if you want RedZone and do not mind missing some out-of-market games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games without paying for Sunday Ticket?
Yes. Local games air free on broadcast networks and are available through antenna, cable, or streaming services like Paramount+. Nationally broadcast games on Thursday, Monday, and Sunday nights are available through Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, and cable. You only need Sunday Ticket if you want to watch out-of-market games that are not broadcast nationally.
Is NFL+ the same as Sunday Ticket?
No. NFL+ is the NFL's own service and costs much less, but it does not include all the out-of-market games that Sunday Ticket does. NFL+ Premium includes RedZone and out-of-market games on any device, but Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV or cable includes more games and additional features.
Can I get Sunday Ticket if I do not have cable?
Yes, through YouTube TV. YouTube TV is a streaming cable replacement that includes local channels and other networks, and it is the only way to get the full Sunday Ticket package without traditional cable or satellite service.
Does my cable provider still offer Sunday Ticket?
Some do, but not all. Call your provider directly to ask if Sunday Ticket is available in your area. Availability varies by region and provider, and pricing changes each season.
What if I only want to watch RedZone?
RedZone is included with NFL+ Premium (around $15/month), YouTube TV's Sunday Ticket package, or cable/satellite Sunday Ticket. NFL+ Premium is the cheapest way to get RedZone alone without buying the full Sunday Ticket package.