You can get Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV, but also through YouTube's standalone app, Costco, or directly from the NFL
NFL Sunday Ticket is not locked to YouTube TV. You have four main ways to watch it: buy it through the YouTube TV subscription, buy it as a standalone product through the YouTube app on your phone or computer, purchase it through a Costco membership, or buy it directly from the NFL's website. The price, what games you get, and which devices work differ between each option.
The choice depends on whether you want other TV channels bundled in, how much you are willing to spend, and which devices you plan to watch on. If you only care about Sunday football and do not want cable or streaming TV, the standalone Sunday Ticket through YouTube is usually the cheapest route.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV bundles Sunday Ticket with live TV channels, but you can buy Sunday Ticket alone through the YouTube app without paying for TV service.
- Costco members can buy a Sunday Ticket package at a discounted price if they have an active membership, though availability varies by location.
- The NFL sells Sunday Ticket directly through its own website and app, giving you another option outside of YouTube's ecosystem.
- Standalone Sunday Ticket costs less than the YouTube TV bundle but does not include any cable or streaming channels.
- All versions let you watch on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, though the exact device support varies by purchase method.
Sunday Ticket as a standalone product through YouTube
The YouTube app sells Sunday Ticket without requiring a YouTube TV subscription. You read the YouTube app on your phone, tablet, or computer, sign in with a Google account, and buy the Sunday Ticket package directly. This is the most straightforward option if you want only the football games and nothing else.
Standalone Sunday Ticket through YouTube covers all out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons and the occasional primetime game. You do not get RedZone (the channel that cuts between games), and you do not get any other TV channels. The price is lower than YouTube TV's bundle, but you lose access to news, sports, and entertainment channels that come with the TV subscription.
You can watch on the YouTube app across phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs. Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Google TV all support the YouTube app, so device compatibility is usually not a problem. Check YouTube's current device list before you buy if you plan to watch on a specific TV model.
Getting Sunday Ticket through Costco
Costco members can buy Sunday Ticket at a reduced price through Costco's website or in-warehouse kiosks. The discount is typically $50 to $100 off the full-year price, depending on the current promotion. You must have an active Costco membership to purchase, and the membership itself costs money, so the total cost is higher than buying standalone through YouTube unless you already shop at Costco.
The product you receive is the same as standalone Sunday Ticket — all out-of-market Sunday games, no RedZone, no other channels. You still watch through the YouTube app using a Google account, and device support is identical. The main advantage is the price break if you are already a Costco member and plan to renew your membership anyway.
Costco's Sunday Ticket inventory can run out during the season, especially early in the year. If you want to buy through Costco, check availability before the season starts or early in September. Once you buy, you receive a code to set up the subscription in the YouTube app.
Buying directly from the NFL
The NFL sells Sunday Ticket through its own website and the NFL app. This route bypasses YouTube entirely and gives you another vendor option if you prefer not to use Google's ecosystem. The price is the same as YouTube's standalone option, and the coverage is identical — all out-of-market Sunday games, no RedZone.
You watch through the NFL app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Smart TV support through the NFL app is more limited than YouTube's app, so check the NFL's device list if you plan to watch on a television. Some smart TVs support the NFL app directly, but others do not, which can be a drawback if you primarily watch on a big screen.
The NFL app also includes other content like highlights, analysis, and live games on Thursday and Monday nights, so you get more than just Sunday Ticket. If you want a single app for most NFL content, buying from the NFL directly can be convenient.
Comparing price and what you get
| Option | Price range | What's included | Watch on |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV + Sunday Ticket | $73–$83 per month | All out-of-market Sunday games, RedZone, live TV channels, on-demand shows | YouTube app, web browser |
| YouTube standalone Sunday Ticket | $349–$449 per season | All out-of-market Sunday games only | YouTube app, web browser, smart TVs |
| Costco Sunday Ticket | $299–$399 per season | All out-of-market Sunday games only | YouTube app, web browser, smart TVs |
| NFL app Sunday Ticket | $349–$449 per season | All out-of-market Sunday games, NFL highlights and analysis | NFL app, web browser, limited smart TV support |
Prices change year to year and sometimes mid-season, so check each vendor's current pricing before you buy. YouTube TV's bundle costs more per month but includes channels you might watch outside of football season. Standalone options cost less upfront but give you only the games.
If you watch football casually or only want games without other TV content, standalone Sunday Ticket is the most cost-effective choice. If you watch other sports, news, or entertainment regularly, YouTube TV's bundle might save you money compared to paying for Sunday Ticket plus another streaming service.
Device support and streaming quality
All four options stream in 4K resolution on supported devices, though you need a fast internet connection (at least 25 Mbps for 4K). Standard HD streams work on any connection above 5 Mbps. YouTube's app generally offers the broadest device support, including older smart TVs and less common streaming devices.
The NFL app works well on phones and tablets but has gaps in smart TV support. If you own a Samsung, LG, or Sony TV made in the last five years, the NFL app is usually available. Older models or less common brands may not support it. Check the NFL's device list on its website before you buy if your TV is more than a few years old.
YouTube TV and standalone YouTube Sunday Ticket work on nearly every device that runs the YouTube app, which includes Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and most smart TVs sold in the last decade. This makes YouTube the safest choice if you are unsure about your TV's compatibility.
Blackout rules and what games you can watch
Sunday Ticket covers out-of-market games only. If your local NFL team is playing, that game is blacked out on Sunday Ticket and airs on local broadcast TV instead. This is true regardless of which vendor you buy from. You cannot use Sunday Ticket to watch your home team's Sunday afternoon game if it is broadcast locally.
Primetime games on Sunday night, Monday night, and Thursday night are also blacked out on Sunday Ticket because they air on ESPN, ABC, or Amazon Prime Video. Sunday Ticket is designed to fill the gap for fans who want to watch teams outside their local market, not to replace cable or other streaming services.
If you live far from your home team or want to follow multiple teams across the country, Sunday Ticket is valuable. If you only care about your local team or watch primetime games, you may not need it at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need YouTube TV to watch Sunday Ticket?
No. You can buy standalone Sunday Ticket through the YouTube app, Costco, or the NFL without subscribing to YouTube TV. Standalone Sunday Ticket costs less than the YouTube TV bundle but does not include any TV channels.
Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my smart TV?
Yes, but device support varies. YouTube's app works on nearly all smart TVs made in the last decade. The NFL app has more limited smart TV support, so check the NFL's device list before you buy if you plan to watch on a television.
Does Sunday Ticket include RedZone?
RedZone is only included if you buy YouTube TV's full subscription bundle. Standalone Sunday Ticket through YouTube, Costco, or the NFL does not include RedZone. You would need to add YouTube TV or subscribe to RedZone separately through cable or another service.
What happens if my local team is playing?
Local games are blacked out on Sunday Ticket and air on local broadcast TV instead. You cannot watch your home team's Sunday afternoon game through Sunday Ticket if it is broadcast in your area. Primetime games on Sunday night, Monday, and Thursday are also blacked out.
Is there a free trial for Sunday Ticket?
YouTube sometimes offers a free trial period at the start of the season, but this changes year to year. Check YouTube's current offer before you buy. The NFL and Costco rarely offer free trials, so assume you will pay the full price upfront.