Yes, you can watch NFL games on YouTube TV, but which games depends on your location and the channel
YouTube TV carries the channels that broadcast NFL games — CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN — so you can watch regular season and playoff games through those networks. The specific games available to you depend on where you live, because local CBS and Fox affiliates show regional games, and YouTube TV's channel lineup varies by market. If you have a YouTube TV account in a market that receives those channels, you can watch the games they air during the season.
YouTube TV does not carry NFL RedZone, the dedicated channel that shows live look-ins from every game on Sunday afternoons. If you want that service, you would need to subscribe to it separately through your cable provider or through NFL+.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, which are the four networks that broadcast NFL games.
- Your local CBS and Fox affiliates appear in your YouTube TV channel list based on your zip code, so regional games are available in your market.
- Thursday Night Football airs on Amazon Prime Video, not on YouTube TV, so you cannot watch those games through your YouTube TV subscription.
- YouTube TV does not include NFL RedZone, which requires a separate subscription if you want to watch all games simultaneously on Sunday.
- Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on the same networks (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) that carry regular season games.
Which NFL games appear on YouTube TV channels
The four networks on YouTube TV that carry NFL games are CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. CBS and Fox split Sunday afternoon games by region — your local affiliate broadcasts the games meant for your area. NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football every week. ESPN airs Monday Night Football. These are the games that appear in your YouTube TV guide during the season.
Your YouTube TV account automatically shows the CBS and Fox affiliates licensed to your zip code. When you open the app or website, you see the channels available in your market. If a game is scheduled for your local CBS or Fox station, it will appear in the guide at that time slot.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. YouTube TV does not carry this game, so you would need a Prime Video subscription or a Prime membership to watch it.
NFL RedZone is a separate paid channel that shows live clips from all games happening at the same time on Sunday afternoons. YouTube TV does not include it in any package. To watch RedZone, you can subscribe through cable providers that offer it, or through NFL+ Premium (a paid subscription from the NFL itself).
Some games may also air on specialized networks or streaming services that YouTube TV does not carry. Check the NFL schedule on the official NFL website or your YouTube TV guide to confirm where a specific game is broadcast.
How to find NFL games in your YouTube TV guide
Open YouTube TV and look at the guide during the NFL season (September through early February). Games appear under CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN at their scheduled times. You can also search for "NFL" in the YouTube TV search bar to see upcoming games across all networks.
YouTube TV lets you add channels to your favorites so they appear at the top of your guide. If you watch a lot of football, adding CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN makes it faster to find games. You can also set reminders for specific games so YouTube TV notifies you when they are about to start.
Regional blackout rules and YouTube TV
YouTube TV follows the same blackout rules as cable television. If you live in the market of a team playing a Sunday afternoon game on CBS or Fox, that game may be blacked out in your area — meaning your local affiliate will not broadcast it, and you cannot watch it on YouTube TV. This happens when a game is not sold out 72 hours before kickoff. Blackout rules vary by network and situation, so a game might be available in one market but not another.
If a game is blacked out on YouTube TV, the NFL's own streaming service, NFL+, sometimes offers it. Check the NFL schedule to see which games have blackout restrictions in your area.
Playoff games and the Super Bowl on YouTube TV
Playoff games and the Super Bowl air on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN depending on the year and the matchup. These games are broadcast on the same networks that carry regular season games, so if you have YouTube TV, you can watch them through those channels. Playoff games are rarely blacked out, so you should be able to watch them in your market.
The Super Bowl rotates between the four networks each year. When it airs on CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN, you can watch it on YouTube TV. The game is also available for free on the official NFL website and the NFL app, regardless of your TV subscription.
What to do if you cannot find a game on YouTube TV
If a game does not appear in your YouTube TV guide, check the NFL schedule on NFL.com to confirm which network is broadcasting it. If it is on Thursday Night Football, you need Amazon Prime Video. If it is on a network YouTube TV does not carry in your area, you may be able to watch it through that network's own app or website if you sign in with your YouTube TV credentials.
Some games air on specialty channels or regional sports networks that YouTube TV may not include in your market. In those cases, the NFL app or the team's official app sometimes streams the game. You can also contact YouTube TV support to confirm whether a specific game is available in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV if I do not have cable?
Yes. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription. You pay a monthly fee for YouTube TV, and you get access to CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and many other channels. You can watch NFL games through those channels without having cable.
Do I need YouTube TV Premium to watch NFL games?
No. NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN are included in the standard YouTube TV subscription. You do not need to pay extra or upgrade to a premium plan to watch them.
Can I watch NFL RedZone on YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV does not carry NFL RedZone. You can subscribe to RedZone separately through cable providers, or through NFL+ Premium, which is a paid subscription from the NFL.
What if my game is blacked out on YouTube TV?
Blackouts happen when a game is not sold out 72 hours before kickoff. If your local game is blacked out on YouTube TV, try the NFL app or NFL+ to see if it is available there. Some games are also streamed on the team's official website or app.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. Thursday Night Football streams only on Amazon Prime Video. You need a Prime Video subscription or Amazon Prime membership to watch those games.