YouTube TV carries most NFL games, but not all of them
YouTube TV gives you access to the major broadcast networks that show NFL games — CBS, Fox, and NBC — plus ESPN for Monday Night Football. That covers the bulk of the regular season. However, you will miss some games because YouTube TV does not carry NFL RedZone, and it does not include Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video or some playoff games on other platforms.
The games you can watch depend on which network has the broadcast rights that week. If your local CBS or Fox affiliate carries the game in your area, you see it on YouTube TV. If the game airs on ESPN, you get it. But if a game moves to Amazon Prime, Peacock, or the NFL's own streaming service, you need a separate subscription or account to watch it.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which broadcast most regular-season NFL games, but not every game airs on these networks.
- Thursday Night Football airs on Amazon Prime Video, which requires a separate subscription and is not included with YouTube TV.
- Some playoff games and the Super Bowl may air on platforms YouTube TV does not carry, depending on the year and broadcast schedule.
- NFL RedZone, which shows live action from all games simultaneously, is not available through YouTube TV at any price.
- Your local CBS and Fox broadcasts depend on your location; YouTube TV uses your home address to determine which regional feeds you receive.
What networks YouTube TV includes for NFL coverage
YouTube TV's base package includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. These four networks carry the majority of NFL regular-season games. CBS and Fox each broadcast games on Sundays, with CBS typically showing AFC matchups and Fox showing NFC matchups in most markets, though this varies by region and time slot. NBC airs Sunday Night Football. ESPN carries Monday Night Football.
Your YouTube TV subscription also includes local affiliate feeds for these networks based on your home address. This means you see the CBS or Fox broadcast that your local market receives, including regional games and local commercials. If you travel or move, you can update your home location in your YouTube TV settings, though the system may take time to recognize the change.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
Thursday Night Football airs exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. YouTube TV does not carry this game, so you need an Amazon Prime membership (which includes Prime Video) or a standalone Prime Video subscription to watch it. Amazon holds the rights through at least the 2033 season.
NFL RedZone is not available on YouTube TV under any circumstances. This channel, which shows live action from all games happening at the same time on Sundays, requires a separate cable or streaming subscription. Some cable providers and streaming services like Sling TV or YouTube TV's own Sports Plus add-on do not include it either — you typically need a full cable package or a dedicated RedZone subscription.
Playoff games and the Super Bowl may air on networks YouTube TV does not carry. In recent years, some playoff games have aired on ESPN+, Peacock, or other platforms. The Super Bowl typically airs on CBS, Fox, or NBC, which YouTube TV carries, but confirm the broadcast network before game day.
How to check which games are on YouTube TV this week
Open the YouTube TV app or website and navigate to the Sports section or search for "NFL." YouTube TV displays the upcoming week's schedule with the network each game airs on. Games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN will show as available to watch. Games on other platforms will display the network name but may not be watchable through YouTube TV.
You can also check the official NFL schedule on NFL.com, which lists the broadcast network for each game. Cross-reference the network with YouTube TV's channel lineup to confirm you can watch it. The NFL schedule is usually released a few weeks before the season starts, so you can plan ahead if certain games matter to you.
Regional blackout rules and local games
YouTube TV respects the NFL's local blackout rules, which prevent games from being broadcast in the home team's market if the game is not sold out. If your local team plays a home game that is not sold out, the broadcast may be blacked out in your area even if it airs on a network YouTube TV carries. This is an NFL rule, not a YouTube TV limitation.
Out-of-market games — games played in other cities — are generally available on YouTube TV if they air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN. However, if you are in the home team's market, blackout rules may explore. You can check the NFL's official blackout map or contact YouTube TV support to confirm whether a specific game is available in your location.
Add-ons and workarounds
YouTube TV does not offer an NFL RedZone add-on, but some cable providers and other streaming services do. If RedZone is important to you, you may need to subscribe to it separately through your cable provider, Sling TV, or another service.
For Thursday Night Football, you need an Amazon Prime membership or Prime Video subscription. For playoff games or other games on exclusive platforms, you will need to subscribe to those services separately. YouTube TV does not bundle these into a single package, so if you want to watch every game, you may need multiple subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's games on YouTube TV?
Yes, if your local team's games air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN. YouTube TV includes these networks with regional feeds based on your home address. However, local blackout rules may prevent you from watching home games that are not sold out.
Do I need YouTube TV Sports Plus to watch NFL games?
No. NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN are included in YouTube TV's base package. Sports Plus is an add-on that includes additional sports channels and streaming services, but it does not add NFL coverage beyond what the base package already provides.
What happens if a game is on a network YouTube TV doesn't carry?
You cannot watch it through YouTube TV. You will need to subscribe to the platform that has the broadcast rights. For example, Thursday Night Football requires Amazon Prime Video, and some playoff games may require ESPN+ or Peacock.
Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV while traveling?
Yes, but your local broadcasts may change based on your location. YouTube TV uses your home address to determine which regional feeds you receive. If you travel, you can still watch games on national networks like ESPN and NBC, but your local CBS and Fox broadcasts will reflect your current location, not your home market.
Is there a way to watch every NFL game with one subscription?
No single subscription covers every game. YouTube TV covers most games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, but you will need separate subscriptions for Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football), ESPN+ or Peacock (some playoff games), and possibly NFL RedZone or other services depending on the season and broadcast schedule.