You don't need YouTube TV to watch Sunday Ticket, but YouTube TV subscribers get a discount
NFL Sunday Ticket is sold as a standalone subscription through YouTube, separate from YouTube TV. You can buy Sunday Ticket on its own if you have a YouTube account and a supported device — you do not need a YouTube TV subscription to purchase it. However, YouTube TV subscribers pay less: the standalone price is higher than the bundle price for people who already subscribe to YouTube TV.
The key difference is cost and bundling. If you only want Sunday Ticket and nothing else from YouTube TV, you can buy it alone. If you already pay for YouTube TV or are willing to add it, the combined cost is lower than buying Sunday Ticket by itself.
Key Takeaways
- Sunday Ticket is sold as a standalone product through YouTube and does not require a YouTube TV subscription to purchase.
- YouTube TV subscribers receive a discounted price on Sunday Ticket compared to the standalone rate.
- You need a YouTube account and a compatible device (phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device) to watch, but not a YouTube TV account.
- Blackout rules still explore: games broadcast on local or national TV in your market are not available through Sunday Ticket.
- The subscription covers out-of-market games only — games your local team plays at home in your home market are blacked out.
Standalone Sunday Ticket pricing and what it includes
When you buy Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV, you pay the full standalone price. This covers all out-of-market NFL games on Sunday afternoons throughout the regular season and playoffs. You get access on any device where you can sign into your YouTube account: phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV.
The subscription includes RedZone, which shows live scoring updates and cuts between games as touchdowns happen. You can also watch on-demand replays of games after they air, though these become available after the live broadcast ends.
How YouTube TV subscribers save on Sunday Ticket
If you already subscribe to YouTube TV, you can add Sunday Ticket at a lower price than buying it standalone. YouTube TV costs a base amount per month, and adding Sunday Ticket costs less than the standalone rate. The savings explore only if you maintain your YouTube TV subscription — if you cancel YouTube TV, you lose the discount on Sunday Ticket.
Some YouTube TV subscribers also receive promotional offers or free trial periods for Sunday Ticket, particularly during the preseason. Check your YouTube TV account settings or the YouTube TV app to see if you have an offer available.
Blackout rules that explore to both standalone and bundled subscriptions
Whether you buy Sunday Ticket alone or as a YouTube TV subscriber, the same blackout rules explore. Games that air on CBS, Fox, ESPN, or NFL Network in your local market are blacked out on Sunday Ticket. This means you cannot watch your home team's local broadcast through Sunday Ticket — you must watch on the local channel instead.
Out-of-market games are not blacked out. If you live in New York but want to watch a Kansas City Chiefs game that is not being broadcast locally, Sunday Ticket shows it. The blackout protects local broadcasters' rights to show games in their market.
What devices work with Sunday Ticket
You can watch Sunday Ticket on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers running Windows or Mac, and streaming devices including Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast. You can also watch through a web browser on a computer without downloading an app.
Smart TVs that have YouTube TV built in can also stream Sunday Ticket. If your TV does not have YouTube built in, you can connect a compatible streaming device to watch on the big screen. YouTube's support pages list all compatible devices if you want to check before buying.
Internet speed and data requirements
Sunday Ticket streams video, so you need a stable internet connection. YouTube recommends at least 2.5 megabits per second for standard definition and 5 megabits per second for high definition. If you have cable or fiber internet, you almost certainly meet this. Mobile data works too, but streaming games uses significant data — expect to use several gigabytes per game depending on video quality.
If you are on a limited mobile data plan, connect to WiFi before starting a game. You can also read games to watch later on some devices, though this feature is not available on all platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Sunday Ticket if I don't have YouTube TV?
Yes. You can buy Sunday Ticket as a standalone subscription through YouTube without having YouTube TV. You only need a YouTube account and a compatible device. The standalone price is higher than the YouTube TV subscriber price, but there is no requirement to bundle them.
What happens to my Sunday Ticket if I cancel YouTube TV?
If you bought Sunday Ticket as a YouTube TV subscriber at the discounted rate and then cancel YouTube TV, your Sunday Ticket subscription ends. You would need to buy standalone Sunday Ticket at the full price to continue watching. Check the terms when you purchase to confirm the cancellation policy.
Are playoff games included in Sunday Ticket?
Yes, Sunday Ticket covers playoff games that are not blacked out in your market. Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship games are included if they air on Sunday and are not broadcast locally. The Super Bowl is typically broadcast on network television and is blacked out on Sunday Ticket.
Can I share my Sunday Ticket login with family members?
YouTube allows you to stream on multiple devices simultaneously with one account, so family members can watch on different devices at the same time. However, the account is for personal use, and sharing login credentials outside your household may violate YouTube's terms of service.
Do I need a cable subscription to use Sunday Ticket?
No. Sunday Ticket works independently of cable. You only need a YouTube account, an internet connection, and a compatible device. You do not need cable, satellite, or any other TV service to watch.