YouTube TV carries most but not all NFL games
YouTube TV includes the major broadcast networks that show NFL games — CBS, Fox, and NBC — which means you get most regular-season games and playoff broadcasts. However, you will miss games that air exclusively on ESPN, the NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video. The games you can watch depend on your local market, your team's broadcast schedule, and which network holds the rights to that particular matchup.
If you want to watch every single NFL game regardless of network, YouTube TV alone will not do it. You would need to add ESPN+ as a separate subscription, use a different streaming service for Amazon Prime games, or find another way to access NFL Network broadcasts. Most casual fans who follow one team can get by with YouTube TV's coverage, but serious fans who want no games missed should plan for multiple services.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, and NBC, which broadcast the majority of regular-season and playoff NFL games in your local area.
- Games on ESPN, the NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video are not included in YouTube TV and require separate subscriptions or services.
- Your local market determines which games appear on CBS and Fox, so not every game on those networks reaches every viewer.
- Thursday Night Football moved to Amazon Prime Video in 2023, so you cannot watch those games through YouTube TV.
- Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on the major networks, so YouTube TV will carry those broadcasts.
What networks YouTube TV includes for NFL coverage
YouTube TV's base package carries CBS, Fox, and NBC. These three networks hold the rights to most regular-season NFL games. CBS typically shows AFC games on Sundays, Fox shows NFC games on Sundays, and NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football. This means you will see the bulk of the league's schedule through YouTube TV alone.
The catch is that your local CBS and Fox feeds show games based on your geographic location. If you live in New York, you see New York market games during the early Sunday window. If you live in Dallas, you see Dallas market games. The network decides which game airs in your area based on Nielsen ratings, team records, and regional interest. YouTube TV cannot override this — you get what your local affiliate broadcasts.
NBC's Sunday Night Football is a national broadcast, so every YouTube TV subscriber in the continental United States sees the same game. Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, or NBC depending on the year, and YouTube TV carries all of them.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
ESPN holds rights to Monday Night Football and some playoff games. YouTube TV does not include ESPN in its base package, though you can add it as an add-on channel for an extra monthly fee. If you add ESPN, you gain access to those broadcasts.
Amazon Prime Video exclusively streams Thursday Night Football. YouTube TV has no arrangement with Amazon, so these games are off-limits unless you subscribe to Prime Video separately. Amazon offers a free trial period at the start of the season, but after that you pay for a Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video subscription.
NFL Network airs some games, preseason broadcasts, and NFL-produced shows. YouTube TV does not carry this channel. If you need NFL Network, you would need cable, a different streaming service, or the NFL+ subscription (which has its own limitations on live game streaming).
How to check which games appear in your area
The NFL publishes its weekly broadcast schedule on NFL.com. You can search by week and see which network carries each game. Cross-reference that with YouTube TV's channel list for your zip code to confirm you will receive it.
YouTube TV's app also shows you a preview of what will air on each channel during the upcoming week. Open the app, navigate to the guide, and look at CBS, Fox, and NBC for the Sunday you care about. If a game appears there, you can watch it. If it does not, it is on a network YouTube TV does not carry.
Your local market matters. Enter your zip code on YouTube TV's website during sign-up, and the service will show you exactly which local CBS and Fox feeds you receive. This determines which early Sunday games you see.
Adding ESPN to YouTube TV for Monday Night Football
YouTube TV allows you to add ESPN as an optional channel add-on. The cost varies but typically runs $10 to $15 per month on top of your base YouTube TV subscription. Once added, you can watch Monday Night Football and ESPN's playoff coverage through the YouTube TV app and website.
You can add or remove ESPN at any time without changing your main YouTube TV plan. If you only want it during football season, add it in September and remove it in February. YouTube TV prorates the charge, so you pay only for the months you use it.
Comparing YouTube TV to other ways to watch NFL games
YouTube TV is one option among several. Here is how the main routes compare:
| Service | CBS, Fox, NBC | ESPN / Monday Night | Thursday Night (Amazon) | NFL Network | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | Yes | Add-on available | No | No | $72.99/month |
| YouTube TV + ESPN add-on | Yes | Yes | No | No | $82–88/month |
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Yes | No | No | $76.99/month |
| Cable (varies by provider) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $80–150+/month |
| YouTube TV + ESPN + Prime Video | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | $95–120/month |
If you want every game on every network, you need YouTube TV (or Hulu + Live TV) plus ESPN, plus Prime Video. No single service carries all four sources. Cable includes NFL Network but costs more and locks you into a contract. YouTube TV offers the most flexibility — you can add or drop channels month to month.
Preseason and playoff coverage on YouTube TV
Preseason games air on the same networks as regular-season games — CBS, Fox, and NBC — so YouTube TV carries them. However, some preseason games air on NFL Network or ESPN, which YouTube TV does not include unless you add ESPN.
Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, or NBC depending on the matchup and year. YouTube TV carries all of them. The conference championships and Super Bowl rotate among the three networks, so check the schedule to see which network broadcasts the game you want to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's games on YouTube TV?
Most likely yes, but it depends on your location and the game. If your team plays a home game on CBS or Fox and that game airs in your local market, YouTube TV will carry it. Games on ESPN, Monday Night Football, or Thursday Night Football will not appear on YouTube TV unless you add ESPN or subscribe to Prime Video separately.
Do I get out-of-market games on YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV shows only the games your local CBS and Fox affiliates broadcast. If you live outside your team's market, you will not see their out-of-market games on YouTube TV. The NFL Sunday Ticket (available through YouTube TV in some cases) is a separate paid service that offers out-of-market games, but it is not included in the base subscription.
Will YouTube TV let me watch games on my phone or tablet?
Yes. YouTube TV streams on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices. You can watch live games or record them to watch later. Recordings stay in your library for nine months.
What happens if my internet goes out during a game?
You lose the stream. YouTube TV requires a stable internet connection. If you want to watch offline, you can read some content through the YouTube TV app, but live sports cannot be downloaded.
Is YouTube TV the cheapest way to watch NFL games?
It depends on which games you want to watch. YouTube TV costs around $73 per month for the base package. Hulu + Live TV costs about $77 per month and includes ESPN by default. If you need only local games and do not care about Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football, YouTube TV is competitive. If you want all games, adding ESPN and Prime Video makes it more expensive than some alternatives.