NFL Sunday Ticket does not offer a free trial as of 2024

NFL Sunday Ticket moved to YouTube TV in September 2023, and YouTube does not include a free trial period for the service. You pay for the full subscription from day one — there is no way to test it before committing money. This is different from some other sports packages, which do offer trial periods.

The subscription costs $449 for the full season if you pay upfront, or $89 per month for five months during the NFL season. YouTube TV's base package (which does not include Sunday Ticket) has a three-day free trial, but that trial does not cover Sunday Ticket itself — you would need to pay the full Sunday Ticket price on top of any YouTube TV subscription you start.

If you already subscribe to YouTube TV, you can add Sunday Ticket to your account, but you still pay the full price with no trial period. The only exception is if you are a student — YouTube offers a discounted student plan that includes Sunday Ticket, but that is a reduced-price subscription, not a free trial.

Key Takeaways

  • NFL Sunday Ticket has no free trial; you pay the full $449 annual or $89 monthly price when ready upon purchase.
  • YouTube TV's three-day free trial does not include Sunday Ticket access, so you cannot test the service for free.
  • If you already pay for YouTube TV, adding Sunday Ticket costs the full subscription price with no trial period.
  • Students can purchase a discounted YouTube TV plan that includes Sunday Ticket, but this is a reduced-price option, not a free trial.
  • Once you subscribe, you can cancel anytime during the season, but you will not receive a refund for unused months.

What the YouTube TV free trial covers

YouTube TV offers a three-day free trial to new users, but this trial covers only the base YouTube TV package. The base package includes live broadcasts of local and national channels, sports networks like ESPN and Fox Sports, and on-demand content — but not NFL Sunday Ticket. If you want to test YouTube TV's interface and streaming quality, the three-day trial lets you do that at no cost.

During the trial, you can watch regular-season NFL games that air on broadcast networks (like Sunday Night Football on NBC or Monday Night Football on ESPN), but you cannot access the exclusive Sunday Ticket games that only stream through that add-on service. The trial expires after three days, and YouTube will charge your payment method unless you cancel before the trial ends.

How much Sunday Ticket costs and payment options

NFL Sunday Ticket costs $449 if you pay for the entire season upfront, or $89 per month for five months (September through January). The monthly option lets you spread the cost, but the total comes to $445 if you pay all five months, so there is little difference between the two. You can cancel your subscription at any point during the season without penalty, but YouTube does not refund the portion of your payment for games you will not watch.

If you bundle Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV's base package, you pay for both services separately. YouTube TV's base package starts at $72.99 per month, so your total monthly cost would be $72.99 plus $89 for Sunday Ticket if you choose the monthly option. Some internet providers and phone carriers offer discounts on Sunday Ticket as part of their packages, so it is worth checking with your provider to see if you may have access to for a lower rate.

Student pricing and discounts

YouTube offers a discounted plan for students that includes both YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket. The student plan costs $109 per month during the NFL season, which is less than paying for both services separately. To may have access to, you must be a current student at an accredited college or university and verify your status through SheerID, a student verification service.

The student plan is a full subscription at a reduced price, not a free trial. You still pay from day one, but the monthly cost is lower than the standard price. If you are not a student, you cannot access this pricing tier, and no other discount programs replace the free trial option.

What happens if you cancel during the season

You can cancel your NFL Sunday Ticket subscription at any time during the season without a cancellation fee or penalty. YouTube will stop charging you on your next billing date, and your access ends when ready. However, YouTube does not refund the portion of your subscription for games remaining in the season — you lose access to future games but do not get money back.

If you signed up for the monthly $89 option and cancel after two months, you have paid $178 with no refund for the remaining three months of the season. This is why understanding the full cost before you subscribe matters more than a free trial would. Some viewers choose to subscribe only for specific months when their team plays important games, then cancel to avoid paying for the full season.

Comparing Sunday Ticket to other streaming sports options

Other sports streaming services handle trials differently. ESPN+ offers a free trial period before charging you, and some regional sports networks include free trial periods as well. NFL Sunday Ticket's lack of a trial is unusual in the streaming sports market, but YouTube's decision reflects the service's premium pricing and exclusive content — the games are not available anywhere else, so YouTube does not need to offer a trial to attract subscribers.

If you want to watch NFL games without paying for Sunday Ticket, you can watch games that air on broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN) through YouTube TV's base package or through those networks' own apps if you have a cable login. Sunday Ticket covers only the out-of-market games that do not air in your local area, so it is most useful if you follow a team that does not play in your region.

How to add Sunday Ticket to your YouTube TV account

If you already subscribe to YouTube TV, you can add NFL Sunday Ticket directly from your account settings. Log into YouTube TV, go to Settings, select Memberships, and choose to add Sunday Ticket. You will be charged the full subscription price when ready — there is no trial period even if you are an existing YouTube TV customer. Your Sunday Ticket access begins right away, and you can watch games the same day you subscribe.

If you do not yet have YouTube TV, you can sign up for the service and add Sunday Ticket at the same time. You will receive the three-day free trial for YouTube TV's base package, but you must pay the full Sunday Ticket price upfront. After the three-day trial ends, YouTube will charge you for both services on your regular billing date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch NFL games without paying for Sunday Ticket?

Yes. Games that air on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN are available through YouTube TV's base package or through those networks' apps if you have a cable login. Sunday Ticket covers only out-of-market games that do not broadcast in your local area, so you only need it if you follow a team outside your region.

What if I subscribe for one month and then cancel?

You can cancel anytime without a penalty, but YouTube does not refund unused months. If you pay $89 for one month and cancel, you lose access to future games but do not get your money back. You can resubscribe later in the season if you want.

Does the YouTube TV free trial let me watch Sunday Ticket games?

No. The three-day free trial covers only YouTube TV's base package. You must pay the full Sunday Ticket price to access those games, even during the trial period.

Is there any way to get Sunday Ticket for free?

No free trial exists, but students can purchase a discounted plan that includes both YouTube TV and Sunday Ticket for $109 per month. Otherwise, you must pay the full subscription price from day one.