Yes, you can watch NFL games on YouTube TV
YouTube TV carries NFL games through several channels. You can watch games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which broadcast most regular-season and playoff games. The specific games available depend on which network has the broadcast rights that week—CBS and Fox show regional games on Sunday afternoons, NBC broadcasts Sunday and Thursday night games, and ESPN carries Monday Night Football.
YouTube TV's base subscription includes all these channels, so you do not need to pay extra or add a sports package to watch NFL games. Your location matters for some games: regional broadcasts on CBS and Fox show different matchups depending on your area, while national broadcasts like Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football are the same everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- NFL games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, all included in YouTube TV's standard subscription with no extra cost.
- Sunday afternoon games on CBS and Fox vary by region, while Sunday and Monday night games broadcast nationally to all YouTube TV subscribers.
- You can watch live games on the YouTube TV app, website, or Chromecast to your TV, and you can record games to watch later.
- Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on the same networks, so you can watch them through YouTube TV if they are broadcast on one of those channels.
Which NFL games appear on YouTube TV each week
The NFL schedule splits games across four networks, and YouTube TV carries all of them. On Sunday afternoons, CBS and Fox each broadcast regional games—meaning your area sees certain matchups while other regions see different ones. These regional broadcasts start at 1 p.m. Eastern time on most Sundays, with some games at 4 p.m. Eastern.
NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football, which is the same game nationwide and typically starts at 8:20 p.m. Eastern. ESPN carries Monday Night Football, also the same game everywhere, usually starting at 8:15 p.m. Eastern. Thursday Night Football moved to Amazon Prime Video in 2023, so those games do not appear on YouTube TV.
Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on whichever network has the broadcast rights that year. In recent years, the Super Bowl has rotated between CBS, Fox, and NBC. YouTube TV will carry the game if it broadcasts on one of those three networks.
How to find and watch NFL games on YouTube TV
Open the YouTube TV app or website and look for the channel broadcasting the game you want—CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN. You can browse the live guide to see what is on now, or search for "NFL" to see upcoming games. The guide shows you the start time and which teams are playing.
When you select a game, YouTube TV streams it live on your device. You can watch on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV using a Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Samsung TV. The video quality adjusts based on your internet speed, but YouTube TV aims for at least 720p resolution on most connections.
If you cannot watch live, use the record feature to save the game. YouTube TV stores recordings for nine months, so you can watch the game later without spoilers if you avoid the score. Open your library, find the recorded game, and press play whenever you are ready.
Regional broadcasts and blackout rules
Sunday afternoon games on CBS and Fox are regional broadcasts, meaning YouTube TV shows you the games your local market receives. If you live in New York, you might see the Giants or Jets game, while someone in Texas sees the Cowboys or Texans. YouTube TV determines your region based on your billing address and internet location.
The NFL does not use blackout rules on YouTube TV the way it does on some other platforms. If a game is broadcast on CBS or Fox in your region, you can watch it through YouTube TV. National broadcasts on NBC and ESPN have no regional restrictions—everyone with YouTube TV sees the same game.
If you travel, YouTube TV still works, but you may see different regional games depending on where you are. Your account remembers your home region, but the app can detect when you are in a different location and adjust the regional broadcasts accordingly.
Internet speed and streaming quality for NFL games
YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps read speed to stream one game in standard definition, and 7 Mbps for high definition. Most home internet connections meet this requirement, but if you are streaming other things at the same time—like someone else watching a show—you may need faster speeds.
If your internet is slow, YouTube TV automatically lowers the video quality to keep the stream from buffering. The picture will be less sharp, but the game will keep playing. You can also manually adjust the quality in the app settings if you want to prioritize smoothness over sharpness.
For the best experience, connect your device directly to your router with an ethernet cable if possible, or use Wi-Fi close to the router. Avoid streaming on Wi-Fi from far away or through walls, as this weakens the signal and can cause buffering during important plays.
Watching NFL games on different devices
YouTube TV works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers with a web browser, and TV devices including Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. The app is the same on all devices—you sign in once and your recordings and settings follow you everywhere.
If you have a Chromecast, you can cast the YouTube TV app from your phone to your TV, or use the Chromecast built into some smart TVs. This is useful if you want to watch on a bigger screen without buying a separate streaming device. The cast button appears in the app when a compatible device is nearby.
You can watch on up to three devices at the same time with one YouTube TV account. If a fourth person tries to watch, YouTube TV will ask one of the other viewers to stop. This limit applies whether people are watching the same game or different channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay extra to watch NFL games on YouTube TV?
No. NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN are included in YouTube TV's standard subscription. There is no sports package or add-on fee. You pay one monthly price and get access to all games broadcast on those networks.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. Thursday Night Football moved to Amazon Prime Video in 2023 and is not available on YouTube TV. You would need a Prime Video subscription to watch those games. CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN still broadcast other NFL games throughout the week.
What happens if I miss a game?
You can record the game using YouTube TV's record feature, and it will be saved for nine months. You can also watch highlights and replays on the NFL's official website or app, though full-game replays may require a subscription to NFL+.
Can I watch NFL games if I travel outside my home region?
Yes. YouTube TV works anywhere you have internet, and national broadcasts like Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football are the same everywhere. Regional Sunday afternoon games may differ based on your current location, but you can still watch games that broadcast in your area.
Will YouTube TV show me the Super Bowl?
Yes, if the Super Bowl broadcasts on CBS, Fox, or NBC that year. The Super Bowl rotates between these three networks, and YouTube TV carries it on whichever network has the rights. The Super Bowl is always a national broadcast, so everyone with YouTube TV sees the same game.