You can buy NFL Sunday Ticket on its own, but the price and what you get depend on how you watch
NFL Sunday Ticket is no longer tied to YouTube TV. You can purchase it directly from the NFL through their website, through YouTube (without needing YouTube TV), or through other providers. The standalone option costs more than the YouTube TV bundle, and what channels and games you receive varies by which route you choose.
The NFL moved Sunday Ticket from DirecTV to YouTube in 2023. Starting in 2024, the league began selling the service through multiple channels. If you do not want YouTube TV, you have other paths — but you need to understand what each one includes and what it costs.
Key Takeaways
- NFL Sunday Ticket sold as a standalone product costs more than when bundled with YouTube TV, and pricing changes year to year.
- You can purchase Sunday Ticket directly from NFL.com, through YouTube without a TV subscription, or through some cable and streaming providers.
- The standalone version through NFL.com includes out-of-market games but may have blackout restrictions based on your location and local broadcast rights.
- YouTube's version (with or without TV) offers the same game selection but requires a Google account and the YouTube app or website.
- Some cable providers including Comcast, Charter, and AT&T now carry Sunday Ticket as an add-on to existing packages.
Buying Sunday Ticket directly from the NFL
The most straightforward route is NFL.com. You create an account, enter your payment information, and gain access to out-of-market games through the NFL+ app and website. This version does not require YouTube TV or a cable subscription.
The catch is price. Standalone Sunday Ticket costs significantly more than the YouTube TV bundle. You also need to check blackout rules for your market — some games may not be available in your area depending on local broadcast agreements. The NFL website lists which games are blacked out in your zip code before you purchase.
Getting Sunday Ticket through YouTube without TV
You can buy Sunday Ticket through YouTube's website or app without subscribing to YouTube TV. This gives you the same game selection as the YouTube TV bundle version, but you pay the standalone price instead of getting it as part of a larger package.
This option requires a Google account and access to the YouTube app or YouTube.com. Games stream through YouTube's platform rather than a separate NFL app. If you already use YouTube regularly, this may feel more natural than downloading another process.
Sunday Ticket through cable and traditional providers
Comcast (Xfinity), Charter Spectrum, and AT&T now offer Sunday Ticket as an add-on to existing video packages. You do not need YouTube TV, but you do need an active cable or satellite subscription with one of these providers. The add-on price varies by provider and changes annually.
Call your provider directly to ask whether Sunday Ticket is available in your area and what the current cost is. Availability and pricing are not uniform across all markets. Some regions may not have access through their local cable company yet.
What you lose without YouTube TV
If you buy Sunday Ticket standalone instead of bundling it with YouTube TV, you lose access to YouTube TV's other channels and features. You get only the football games included in your Sunday Ticket purchase, not live news, sports, or entertainment programming.
You also do not get YouTube TV's cloud DVR, which lets you record programs and watch them later. If you want both Sunday Ticket and other live television, you need to either buy YouTube TV separately or use a different provider's bundle.
Comparing cost across your options
Pricing for Sunday Ticket changes each season and varies depending on whether you buy it standalone, through YouTube, or through a cable provider. The YouTube TV bundle has historically been the cheapest way to get Sunday Ticket, but standalone purchases through NFL.com or YouTube cost more.
Cable add-ons through Comcast, Charter, or AT&T may fall somewhere in the middle, but you must already have a cable subscription. If you do not have cable, the cable add-on is not an option. Compare the total cost of each route — including any existing subscriptions you already pay for — to find what makes sense for your household.
Blackouts and game availability
Sunday Ticket does not include every NFL game. Local broadcasts in your market are blacked out, meaning you cannot watch your home team's game through Sunday Ticket if it is being broadcast on local television. National games on CBS, Fox, and ESPN are also excluded.
Sunday Ticket covers out-of-market games — the ones not broadcast in your area. If you live in New York but want to watch a Kansas City game that is not on national television, Sunday Ticket shows it. The NFL website shows you which games are available in your zip code before you buy.
Device compatibility and streaming quality
Sunday Ticket through NFL.com works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs through the NFL+ app. YouTube's version works on any device that runs YouTube, which includes most smart TVs, streaming devices, phones, and computers.
Cable provider versions depend on the provider — Comcast and Charter typically offer apps for phones and tablets plus access through their cable box. Check your provider's app store to see which devices are supported. Streaming quality depends on your internet speed; the NFL and YouTube both recommend at least 5 Mbps for HD quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need YouTube TV to watch Sunday Ticket?
No. You can buy Sunday Ticket standalone through NFL.com, through YouTube without a TV subscription, or through some cable providers. YouTube TV is one way to get it, but not the only way.
What games does Sunday Ticket include?
Sunday Ticket includes out-of-market games — games not broadcast on local television in your area. It does not include local broadcasts, national games on CBS, Fox, or ESPN, or Monday and Thursday night games. The NFL website shows which specific games are available in your location before you purchase.
Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my smart TV?
Yes, through the NFL+ app if you buy through NFL.com, through the YouTube app if you buy through YouTube, or through your cable provider's app or cable box if you buy through them. Check your TV's app store to see which apps are available for your model.
Is Sunday Ticket cheaper without YouTube TV?
No. Standalone Sunday Ticket costs more than when bundled with YouTube TV. If you want both football and other live television, the YouTube TV bundle is typically the least expensive option. If you only want football, standalone may be your only choice.
What happens if my local team's game is blacked out?
You cannot watch it through Sunday Ticket. You need to find it on local broadcast television, a national network, or through the team's own streaming service if available. Check your local TV listings or the NFL schedule before purchasing to understand what games you can actually watch in your area.