You can watch NFL Sunday Ticket through other providers, but YouTube TV is currently the only way to get the full package
NFL Sunday Ticket is sold exclusively through YouTube TV as of the 2023 season. If you don't have YouTube TV, you cannot watch the full Sunday Ticket package through any other streaming service or cable provider. However, there are other ways to watch out-of-market NFL games depending on where you live and what you're willing to pay.
The NFL moved Sunday Ticket from DirecTV (where it lived for 16 years) to YouTube TV in a deal that runs through 2033. This means YouTube TV is the only legal source for the complete package of out-of-market games. If you're looking for alternatives, you're really looking at partial solutions—watching specific teams or games through other services, not the full Sunday Ticket experience.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV is the only provider offering the complete NFL Sunday Ticket package, which includes all out-of-market games every Sunday.
- NFL+ Premium lets you watch your home team's games on your phone or tablet, but not on a TV, and only if you have a cable or streaming subscription to a local channel.
- Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and other live TV streaming services carry local and primetime games but not the out-of-market Sunday afternoon games that Sunday Ticket covers.
- If you live in the market of the team you want to watch, local broadcasts on CBS or Fox are free over the air or through those networks' apps.
- Bars and restaurants with sports packages can legally show Sunday Ticket games, which is a free option if you don't mind watching away from home.
What NFL Sunday Ticket actually includes
NFL Sunday Ticket is a package of out-of-market games—games that are not being broadcast on your local CBS or Fox affiliate. If you live in New York and your team is the Kansas City Chiefs, you would normally see the Giants or Jets game on Sunday afternoon. Sunday Ticket lets you watch the Chiefs game instead, plus every other out-of-market game happening at the same time.
The package includes all games that air on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time. It does not include Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, or Sunday Night Football—those air on ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, or NBC and are available through their own subscriptions or cable packages. It also does not include playoff games or the Super Bowl, which air on network television.
Watching your home team without Sunday Ticket
If the team you want to watch plays in your local market, you don't need Sunday Ticket at all. Games broadcast on CBS or Fox are free if you have an antenna, or you can stream them through the CBS or Fox apps (though some games require a cable or streaming TV subscription to unlock). Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and other live TV streaming services all carry your local CBS and Fox broadcasts.
If your team plays out of market and you have a cable or streaming TV subscription (through Hulu, Sling, YouTube TV, or any cable provider), you can watch that team's games on NFL+ Premium. This service costs about $14 per month or $120 per year. The catch: you can only watch on your phone or tablet, not on your TV. The app will also black out games that are being broadcast nationally on your local channels.
Live TV streaming services that carry some NFL games
If you want to watch NFL games without YouTube TV, a live TV streaming service is the most practical option—but you'll only get local and primetime games, not the full Sunday Ticket package. Here's what each service carries:
| Service | Sunday Games | Other NFL Games |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | Local CBS and Fox broadcasts | Monday Night Football (ESPN), Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime Video through Hulu) |
| Sling TV | Local CBS and Fox broadcasts (depending on your region) | Monday Night Football (ESPN) |
| FuboTV | Local CBS and Fox broadcasts | Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime Video) |
| YouTube TV | Local CBS and Fox broadcasts, plus NFL Sunday Ticket (all out-of-market games) | Monday Night Football (ESPN), Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime Video) |
All of these services let you watch on your TV, phone, and tablet. Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV also include cloud DVR, so you can record games and watch them later. Prices vary and change frequently—check each service's website for current rates.
Watching Sunday Ticket games at a bar or restaurant
Sports bars and restaurants with a commercial sports package can legally broadcast Sunday Ticket games. This is a free option if you're willing to watch away from home and buy food or drinks. Call ahead to confirm the bar has the package and will be showing the game you want to watch—not all bars subscribe to Sunday Ticket, and some may prioritize certain games over others.
Why YouTube TV is the only source for the full package
The NFL signed an exclusive deal with YouTube TV to be the sole distributor of Sunday Ticket. This contract runs through 2033, which means no other provider—cable, satellite, or streaming—can sell you the full package of out-of-market games. YouTube TV charges about $109 per month for the base service, or you can add Sunday Ticket as a standalone subscription for about $349 per season (prices vary by year and promotions).
Before 2023, DirecTV held the Sunday Ticket rights and required a satellite dish and a two-year contract. The move to YouTube TV means you don't need special equipment, but it also means you have no other legal option if you want every out-of-market game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Sunday Ticket games on my phone without YouTube TV?
No. Sunday Ticket is exclusive to YouTube TV, and you must have a YouTube TV subscription to watch it on any device. NFL+ Premium is a separate service that lets you watch your home team on your phone, but it requires a cable or streaming TV subscription and does not include out-of-market games.
Do I need YouTube TV to use NFL+ Premium?
No. NFL+ Premium requires a cable or streaming TV subscription (like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or a traditional cable package), but not YouTube TV specifically. You can use it with any provider that carries your local CBS or Fox channel.
Are there free ways to watch out-of-market NFL games?
No legal free way exists for out-of-market games. Sunday Ticket is the only package that includes them, and it requires a YouTube TV subscription. Watching at a sports bar is free if you don't count food and drinks.
What if I only want to watch one team that plays out of market?
If you have a cable or streaming TV subscription, NFL+ Premium is cheaper than YouTube TV and Sunday Ticket combined. It costs about $14 per month and lets you watch your team on your phone or tablet. If you need to watch on your TV, YouTube TV with Sunday Ticket is your only option.
Can I get Sunday Ticket without a YouTube TV subscription?
No. YouTube TV is the exclusive distributor. You must have an active YouTube TV subscription to purchase or use Sunday Ticket, whether you buy it as part of the base service or as an add-on.