You can buy NFL Sunday Ticket as a standalone subscription without YouTube TV, but the price and what you get depend on which package you choose

NFL Sunday Ticket is sold separately from YouTube TV. You do not need a YouTube TV subscription to purchase it. Google offers Sunday Ticket in three ways: as an add-on to YouTube TV (the cheapest option if you already subscribe), as a standalone subscription through YouTube, or through traditional pay-TV providers like Dish Network or DirecTV Stream if you have those services.

The standalone version through YouTube costs more than the YouTube TV add-on, but it gives you access to out-of-market NFL games without committing to a full cable replacement service. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device. The trade-off is that you pay full price for Sunday Ticket alone rather than bundling it with other channels.

Key Takeaways

  • NFL Sunday Ticket is available as a standalone purchase through YouTube without requiring YouTube TV, though it costs more than adding it to an existing YouTube TV subscription.
  • Standalone Sunday Ticket lets you watch out-of-market games on phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices, but does not include local or primetime games.
  • You can also get Sunday Ticket through Dish Network or DirecTV Stream if you subscribe to those services instead of YouTube.
  • Pricing for standalone Sunday Ticket varies by season and whether you want the base package or premium tier with additional features.

What standalone Sunday Ticket includes and does not include

Standalone Sunday Ticket gives you access to out-of-market games — the games that are not broadcast in your local area on CBS or Fox. If your team plays a home game that airs locally, you will not see it through Sunday Ticket. You also will not get primetime games that air on Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, or Sunday Night Football, since those are sold separately by the networks.

What you do get is every other NFL game happening at the same time on Sunday afternoons. If you live outside your team's market or want to watch multiple games simultaneously, this is the main reason to buy it. You can watch on up to four devices at once with the standard package, and you get access to the RedZone channel, which cuts between games showing scoring plays and key moments.

Standalone pricing compared to YouTube TV add-on

The standalone version costs significantly more than adding Sunday Ticket to an existing YouTube TV subscription. YouTube TV subscribers pay a lower rate because they already pay for the base service. If you do not have YouTube TV and only want Sunday Ticket, you will pay the full standalone price.

Pricing changes year to year and sometimes mid-season. Rather than quote a specific number that may be outdated, check the official NFL Sunday Ticket website or YouTube's sports page directly for current rates. The price typically reflects whether you are buying for the full season or a shorter window, and whether you want the premium tier that includes additional features like condensed replays and exclusive camera angles.

How to purchase standalone Sunday Ticket

Go to the NFL Sunday Ticket website or search for it on YouTube. You will be prompted to sign in with a Google account or create one if you do not have one. From there, you select the package you want — usually a standard option and a premium option — and complete the purchase using a credit card or other payment method linked to your Google account.

Once you purchase, you can watch when ready through the YouTube app on your phone, tablet, or streaming device, or through a web browser on your computer. You do not need to install anything beyond the YouTube app if you already have it. The games appear in the YouTube app under a dedicated Sunday Ticket section during the NFL season.

Getting Sunday Ticket through Dish or DirecTV Stream instead

If you subscribe to Dish Network or DirecTV Stream, you can get NFL Sunday Ticket through those services without going through YouTube. Dish has offered Sunday Ticket for years as an add-on package. DirecTV Stream, which is Dish's streaming alternative, also includes the option to add Sunday Ticket.

The advantage of this route is that if you already use one of these services for other channels, adding Sunday Ticket may be simpler than managing a separate YouTube subscription. The disadvantage is that Dish and DirecTV Stream have their own pricing and may not offer the same flexibility as the YouTube standalone option. Contact your provider directly to see current pricing and availability in your area.

Blackout rules and local game restrictions

NFL blackout rules limit which games you can watch through Sunday Ticket, even if you buy the standalone version. If a game is broadcast on local television in your area, you cannot watch it through Sunday Ticket — you have to watch it on the local channel or through that channel's streaming app. This applies to your home team's games and sometimes to other teams' games depending on your location.

The blackout rule exists because local broadcasters pay for the right to show games in their region. Sunday Ticket is designed to let people outside a team's market watch that team play. If you live in the team's home market, you get those games on local TV instead. Check the NFL's blackout map or your local TV listings before purchasing to understand which games will be blocked in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my smart TV without YouTube TV?

Yes. read the YouTube app on your smart TV, sign in with the Google account you used to purchase Sunday Ticket, and the games will appear in the app. You can also use a streaming device like a Roku, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast if your TV does not have the YouTube app built in.

What happens if I buy standalone Sunday Ticket and then get YouTube TV later?

Contact YouTube support to discuss your options. In some cases, you may be able to adjust your subscription or receive a credit. Policies vary, so it is worth asking rather than assuming you will lose the money you spent.

Do I need internet for every game, or can I read games to watch offline?

Sunday Ticket requires an active internet connection to stream games. You cannot read games in advance to watch offline. Make sure you have a stable connection on game days, especially if you are watching on a mobile device.

Can I share my Sunday Ticket login with family members in another house?

Sunday Ticket allows multiple simultaneous streams on different devices, but the account is meant for personal use. Sharing login credentials across different households may violate the terms of service. Check the current terms on the NFL Sunday Ticket website for the exact policy.

What if my internet cuts out during a game?

You will lose the stream until your connection returns. Some packages include condensed replays that you can watch after the game ends, so you can catch up on what you missed. Check whether your package tier includes this feature.