Sunday Ticket is not included with YouTube TV
NFL Sunday Ticket is sold separately from YouTube TV. You cannot bundle it with your YouTube TV subscription — you must purchase it as its own product. YouTube TV covers live sports through ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, and regional sports networks, but the out-of-market NFL games that Sunday Ticket carries are not part of the base package.
Sunday Ticket is available only through YouTube and YouTube TV as a standalone subscription. If you want both services, you pay for YouTube TV and Sunday Ticket as two separate charges on your account. The pricing, billing cycle, and terms are different for each.
Key Takeaways
- Sunday Ticket costs extra and is billed separately from YouTube TV, even though both are YouTube products.
- YouTube TV includes in-market NFL games through ESPN, Fox, and NBC, but not the out-of-market Sunday games that Sunday Ticket covers.
- Sunday Ticket is available only to YouTube TV subscribers and YouTube account holders with a valid U.S. address — you cannot buy it standalone without one of these.
- The Sunday Ticket app works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart TVs, but availability varies by device.
What Sunday Ticket covers that YouTube TV does not
YouTube TV carries the games broadcast in your local market — the ones that air on CBS, Fox, or ESPN in your region. Sunday Ticket is the out-of-market package. It shows you the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET games on Sundays that are not broadcast in your area, plus some Thursday and Monday night games.
If you live in New York and your team is the Jets or Giants, you see those games on YouTube TV's CBS and Fox feeds. If you want to watch the Cowboys, Packers, or any other team playing at the same time slot in a different region, you need Sunday Ticket. The service is designed for fans who want to follow teams outside their home market.
How to buy Sunday Ticket as a YouTube TV subscriber
Log into your YouTube TV account and go to the Settings menu. Select "Memberships and purchases" or "Add-ons," depending on your device. Sunday Ticket will appear as an option if you are in a supported area. Select it, review the price and billing terms, and confirm the purchase.
YouTube TV subscribers can also visit the YouTube TV website, sign in, and add Sunday Ticket from the account settings page. The subscription begins when ready, and you can start watching games the same day. Cancellation is available anytime through the same menu — you do not need to contact support.
Pricing and what it includes
Sunday Ticket pricing changes year to year. The cost varies depending on whether you bundle it with YouTube TV or buy it as a standalone product through a YouTube account. YouTube TV subscribers typically receive a discount compared to the standalone price, but the exact amount depends on the current promotional period.
Your Sunday Ticket subscription covers all out-of-market games for the full NFL season, from September through the playoffs. It includes the ability to watch on multiple devices at the same time, depending on your plan tier. Some tiers also include the Red Zone channel, which shows live action from every game in a single feed.
Device compatibility and streaming quality
Sunday Ticket works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers with a web browser, and select smart TVs including Samsung, LG, and Google TV devices. Roku and Amazon Fire TV support is available through the YouTube TV app. The service streams in up to 4K resolution on supported devices, though standard HD is the default.
Streaming quality depends on your internet connection. YouTube recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. If your connection is slower, the app will automatically adjust the resolution. You can also manually set the quality in the app settings to avoid using too much data on a mobile plan.
Regional restrictions and may be able to access
Sunday Ticket is available only to people with a valid U.S. address. If you live outside the United States, the service will not show as available in your account, even if you have a YouTube TV subscription. Military members stationed overseas may have different options through the NFL's military program.
You do not need to be a YouTube TV subscriber to buy Sunday Ticket, but you do need a YouTube account and a U.S. address on file. If you have only YouTube TV without a separate YouTube account, you can still purchase Sunday Ticket — it will be added to your YouTube TV account automatically.
Comparing YouTube TV sports coverage to Sunday Ticket
YouTube TV gives you the games that broadcast in your region plus national broadcasts on ESPN, Fox, and NBC. You see your local team's home games and the nationally televised matchups. Sunday Ticket fills the gap by showing you every other team's games that play at the same time in different markets.
For most viewers, YouTube TV alone covers the games they want to watch. Sunday Ticket is for people who follow multiple teams or want to see every game their favorite team plays, including road games in other markets. The two services work together but serve different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV?
Yes. You can buy Sunday Ticket as a standalone product if you have a YouTube account and a valid U.S. address. You do not need a YouTube TV subscription. However, YouTube TV subscribers usually pay less for Sunday Ticket than standalone buyers.
Does Sunday Ticket include Thursday and Monday night games?
Some Thursday and Monday night games are included, but not all. The coverage varies by week and depends on which games are broadcast on those nights. Sunday Ticket focuses on the Sunday afternoon out-of-market games, which is the core of the service.
Can I share my Sunday Ticket subscription with family members?
Sunday Ticket can be watched on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan tier. However, the account holder controls access. Sharing outside your household may violate the terms of service. Check your specific plan details for the number of simultaneous streams allowed.
What happens to my Sunday Ticket subscription during the NFL offseason?
Your subscription remains active year-round unless you cancel it. You will not be charged during the offseason if you cancel before the season ends. If you want the service again next season, you will need to purchase it again when it becomes available.
Is there a free trial for Sunday Ticket?
Trial availability changes from year to year and depends on current promotions. Check your YouTube TV account or the YouTube website during the NFL season to see if a trial period is being offered. Promotional offers are usually announced before the season starts.