YouTube TV shows most NFL games, but not every single one
YouTube TV carries the major networks that broadcast NFL games — CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — so you will see most regular season and playoff games. However, you cannot watch every game on YouTube TV alone. Some games air only on NFL+, Amazon Prime Video, or other streaming services that YouTube TV does not include. A few games also air on cable-only channels like NFL Network, which YouTube TV does not carry.
The games you can watch depend on your location, your YouTube TV plan, and which network has the broadcast rights that week. The NFL splits games across multiple broadcasters, and YouTube TV's channel lineup determines what reaches your screen.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which broadcast the majority of NFL regular season and playoff games.
- YouTube TV does not carry NFL Network, so games exclusive to that channel are not available through the service.
- Some games stream only on Amazon Prime Video or NFL+, which are separate services not bundled with YouTube TV.
- Your ability to watch certain games also depends on your local market and whether your YouTube TV account is set to the correct region.
Which networks YouTube TV includes for NFL broadcasts
YouTube TV's base plan includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. These four networks carry the bulk of NFL games each week during the regular season. CBS and Fox split Sunday afternoon games by region. NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football. ESPN airs Monday Night Football. Thursday Night Football rotates between networks, but most weeks it appears on one of the channels YouTube TV carries.
You can also add the Sports Plus add-on to YouTube TV, which includes NFL RedZone — a channel that cuts between games in progress on Sunday afternoons. Sports Plus costs extra per month and gives you a live look at multiple games at once, though it does not show complete games from start to finish.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
YouTube TV does not include NFL Network, so any game broadcast exclusively on that channel will not appear in your library. NFL Network typically airs a small number of games during the season, often on Thursday nights or during the holiday schedule. You would need to watch those games through a cable provider, the NFL app, or NFL+.
Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to some Thursday Night Football games. These games do not air on any broadcast network and are only available to Prime Video subscribers. YouTube TV does not bundle Prime Video, so you cannot watch these games through YouTube TV alone.
NFL+ is the NFL's own streaming service. It shows some games live, though availability varies by game and location. Some games on NFL+ are blacked out in your local market if they air on a local broadcast network. YouTube TV does not include NFL+ as part of its service.
How local blackout rules affect what you can watch
The NFL enforces local blackout rules that can prevent you from watching certain games on streaming services, even if the network that broadcasts them is available. If a game is broadcast on your local CBS or Fox affiliate and does not sell out the stadium, it may be blacked out on streaming versions of those networks. YouTube TV respects these blackouts, so you might see a message saying the game is not available in your area.
Blackout rules vary by game and market. A game that is blacked out in one city may be available in another. The only way to know for certain is to check YouTube TV's guide for your specific location on game day. If a game is blacked out on YouTube TV, you may be able to watch it on cable or through the NFL app, depending on the broadcast arrangement.
Playoff and Super Bowl coverage on YouTube TV
Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, or NBC — all of which are included in YouTube TV's base plan. You will be able to watch the Wild Card round, Divisional round, Conference Championships, and Super Bowl through YouTube TV without any additional service. YouTube TV's coverage of the playoffs is the same as its regular season coverage, with the same local blackout rules potentially explore.
The Super Bowl itself is never blacked out, so you can watch it on YouTube TV regardless of where you live or which team is playing.
What to do if a game you want is not available
Before game day, check YouTube TV's channel guide for your location to see which network is broadcasting the game. If the game is on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN, it should be available. If it is on NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video, or NFL+, you will need to use one of those services instead.
If a game is blacked out on YouTube TV, try watching it on the cable version of the network (if you have cable login credentials), the NFL app, or the broadcaster's own streaming app. Some games also air on local broadcast stations, which you can watch with an antenna if you have one.
For Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video, you will need a Prime Video subscription. These games are not available anywhere else during the broadcast window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL RedZone on YouTube TV?
Yes, but only if you add the Sports Plus add-on to your YouTube TV plan. NFL RedZone shows live look-ins from multiple games on Sunday afternoons but does not show complete games from start to finish. The add-on costs extra per month beyond your base YouTube TV subscription.
Will YouTube TV show playoff games?
Yes. Playoff games air on CBS, Fox, or NBC, all of which are included in YouTube TV's base plan. You can watch the Wild Card round, Divisional round, Conference Championships, and Super Bowl without any additional service or add-on.
What if a game is blacked out in my area?
Blackouts happen when a game broadcasts on your local network but does not sell out the stadium. If a game is blacked out on YouTube TV, you may be able to watch it on cable, through the NFL app, or on the broadcaster's own app. Check those options on game day if YouTube TV shows the game as unavailable.
Do I need NFL+ to watch games on YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV and NFL+ are separate services. YouTube TV includes the broadcast networks that show most games. NFL+ is the NFL's own streaming service and is not bundled with YouTube TV, though you can subscribe to both if you want.
Are Thursday Night Football games on YouTube TV?
Most Thursday Night Football games air on one of the networks YouTube TV carries — usually CBS, Fox, or ESPN. However, some Thursday Night Football games are exclusive to Amazon Prime Video and do not air on any broadcast network. Those games are only available to Prime Video subscribers.