Yes, you can watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV
Monday Night Football is available on YouTube TV if you have a subscription that includes ESPN. Most YouTube TV plans carry ESPN as part of the base package, so you can watch the game live on the ESPN channel during the regular season and playoffs. The game streams to your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device — whichever you use to access YouTube TV.
Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Monday nights. YouTube TV's cloud DVR feature records the game automatically if you want to watch it later, and you can rewind or pause live play at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is included in YouTube TV's standard subscription plan.
- You can watch on any device where you use YouTube TV — phone, tablet, computer, or smart TV.
- Games are broadcast live at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Monday nights during the NFL season.
- YouTube TV's cloud DVR saves games automatically, so you can watch on your own schedule.
- You need an active YouTube TV subscription; ESPN+ alone does not include Monday Night Football broadcasts.
What YouTube TV plan you need
YouTube TV's base plan includes ESPN and all the channels needed to watch Monday Night Football. There is no separate sports tier or add-on required. If you already subscribe to YouTube TV, you already have access to the game.
YouTube TV does not offer a free trial period, so you will need an active paid subscription to watch. The subscription renews monthly and can be paused or canceled at any time through your account settings.
How to find Monday Night Football on YouTube TV
Open YouTube TV and look for the ESPN channel in your guide. During game time, the channel will show the Monday Night Football broadcast. You can also search for "Monday Night Football" in the YouTube TV search bar, and upcoming games will appear in the results with their air dates and times.
If you want to plan ahead, YouTube TV's guide shows what is coming up on ESPN for the next two weeks. You can set a reminder for a game so YouTube TV notifies you when it is about to start.
Watching on different devices
YouTube TV works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers using a web browser, and smart TVs including Roku, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. You sign in once with your YouTube account, and your subscription follows you across all devices.
If you are watching on a phone or tablet, you can cast the game to a Chromecast or compatible smart TV. The picture quality adjusts automatically based on your internet speed, but YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps for smooth playback on a single device.
Using cloud DVR to watch later
YouTube TV automatically records Monday Night Football games to your cloud DVR storage, which holds up to 9 months of recordings. You do not have to do anything — the recording happens without you setting it up. Open the Library section of YouTube TV, find the game, and press play whenever you want to watch.
You can fast-forward through commercials and rewind to catch a play you missed. If you delete a recording, it is gone permanently, but YouTube TV keeps games in your library until they age out after 9 months.
When Monday Night Football is not on ESPN
Most Monday Night Football games air on ESPN, but some games move to ESPN+ or other networks depending on the season. YouTube TV includes ESPN, but ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that requires its own subscription. If a game is exclusively on ESPN+, you will not see it through your YouTube TV subscription alone.
Check the NFL schedule or ESPN's website before game day to confirm which channel is broadcasting. The schedule changes year to year, so what was on ESPN last season might be on a different network this season.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you cannot find ESPN in your YouTube TV guide, check that your subscription is active and that you are signed in with the correct account. Log out and log back in, or restart the YouTube TV app. If ESPN still does not appear, contact YouTube TV support through your account settings.
If the game is buffering or freezing, move closer to your router or restart your internet connection. YouTube TV needs a steady connection; if your speed drops below 3 Mbps, the picture quality will drop or the stream may pause. You can also lower the video quality manually in YouTube TV settings to reduce buffering on slower connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ESPN+ to watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. Monday Night Football broadcasts on ESPN, which is included in your YouTube TV subscription. ESPN+ is a separate service. Most games are on ESPN, but check the schedule because some games may be on ESPN+ or other networks, which would require a separate subscription.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV without a cable login?
Yes. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription or cable login. You only need a YouTube TV subscription and an internet connection.
Will YouTube TV record Monday Night Football automatically?
Yes. YouTube TV's cloud DVR records all ESPN broadcasts, including Monday Night Football, without you having to set anything up. Games stay in your library for up to 9 months.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV if I am traveling?
Yes, as long as you have an internet connection. YouTube TV works anywhere you can access the app or website. Sign in with your account and stream the game the same way you would at home.
What happens if I pause or rewind during a live Monday Night Football game?
You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward during live games on YouTube TV. You are watching the live broadcast, but the app lets you control playback. If you rewind, you will see the game as it happened a few minutes earlier.