YouTube TV carries most NFL games, but not all of them
YouTube TV includes the major broadcast networks that show NFL games—CBS, Fox, and NBC—in most markets. This means you can watch regular-season games that air on those channels. However, YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, which means you cannot watch Monday Night Football through the service. You also cannot watch Thursday Night Football games that air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, or Sunday games on the NFL's own channel.
What you get depends partly on your location. YouTube TV's channel lineup varies by market, so a game available in one city might not appear in another. The best way to know what's available to you is to check YouTube TV's channel list for your zip code before you sign up, or to look at the NFL schedule and cross-reference it with YouTube TV's offerings.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV carries CBS, Fox, and NBC, which broadcast most regular-season NFL games on Sunday and some on Thursday.
- YouTube TV does not include ESPN, so Monday Night Football games are not available through the service.
- Amazon Prime Video games and NFL+ exclusive broadcasts are not part of YouTube TV's package.
- Your local channel availability varies by market, so check YouTube TV's lineup for your area before committing.
Which networks YouTube TV includes for NFL coverage
CBS and Fox are the two main Sunday broadcasters, and YouTube TV carries both in most markets. CBS typically shows games in the early afternoon slot (around 1 p.m. Eastern), while Fox usually covers the late afternoon slot (around 4 p.m. Eastern). Both networks also broadcast some Thursday Night Football games during the season.
NBC airs Sunday Night Football, the primetime game that starts at 8:20 p.m. Eastern. YouTube TV includes NBC in nearly all markets, so you can watch this game if you have the service.
These three networks cover the bulk of regular-season games that most fans want to watch. If your team plays on Sunday on CBS, Fox, or NBC, you can likely watch it on YouTube TV.
Games you cannot watch on YouTube TV
Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which YouTube TV does not carry. If your team plays on Monday night, you will need a different streaming service or cable subscription to watch it. ESPN+ (the streaming version of ESPN) does not include Monday Night Football either, so this is a genuine gap in YouTube TV's sports coverage.
Thursday Night Football games that air on Amazon Prime Video are not available on YouTube TV. Amazon has exclusive rights to some Thursday games each season. If you want to watch those games, you need an Amazon Prime membership.
NFL+ exclusive games are broadcast only through the NFL's own streaming service. These are typically games that do not air on traditional broadcast networks. YouTube TV does not bundle NFL+ with its service, so you would need a separate subscription.
How to check if a specific game is on YouTube TV
The NFL schedule lists which network broadcasts each game. Once you know the network—CBS, Fox, or NBC—you can assume YouTube TV carries it in most markets. However, your specific market might not receive every game, especially if your local CBS or Fox affiliate has limited carriage rights.
Before you sign up for YouTube TV, visit the service's website and enter your zip code. YouTube TV will show you exactly which channels are available in your area. This takes two minutes and tells you whether you can watch the games you care about.
If you already have YouTube TV, you can search for a specific team or game in the YouTube TV app. The search function will tell you whether that game is scheduled to appear in your channel lineup.
What to do if your team plays on ESPN or Amazon Prime
If your team plays most of its games on Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football on Amazon, YouTube TV alone will not be enough. You would need to add another service—ESPN+ for some Monday games (though not all), or an Amazon Prime membership for Thursday games on that platform.
Some fans use a combination of services. For example, you might use YouTube TV for Sunday games and add ESPN+ or Prime Video for the games that fall outside YouTube TV's coverage. This approach costs more but covers all the broadcasts.
Another option is to check whether your team's local CBS or Fox affiliate broadcasts some games that YouTube TV carries. Many teams have a mix of national and local broadcasts, so you may be able to catch some games on YouTube TV even if not all of them.
Regional blackout rules and YouTube TV
YouTube TV follows the same blackout rules as cable television. This means that if a game is blacked out in your region on traditional broadcast TV, it will also be blacked out on YouTube TV. Blackouts typically explore to local games when they are not sold out, though this rule varies by team and market.
Blackouts are set by the NFL and the individual teams, not by YouTube TV. If you live in a team's local market and a game is blacked out, no streaming service that carries the broadcast network will show it to you in that area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV without cable?
Yes. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription. You pay a monthly fee and get access to the channels included in your market. You can watch any CBS, Fox, or NBC game that airs in your area without a cable box or cable login.
Does YouTube TV include NFL RedZone?
No. NFL RedZone is not part of YouTube TV's standard package. You would need to add it separately through a cable or satellite provider, or watch it through other services that offer it as an add-on.
What if my market doesn't get all the Sunday games?
YouTube TV shows whatever CBS and Fox broadcast in your specific market. Some markets receive both the early and late Sunday games; others receive only one. Check your local listings or YouTube TV's channel guide for your zip code to see what's available to you.
Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV if I travel?
YouTube TV's out-of-market rules depend on the game and the network. Games on CBS, Fox, and NBC may be subject to blackout restrictions if you travel outside your home market. The NFL's blackout rules explore to streaming the same way they explore to broadcast television.
Is YouTube TV cheaper than cable for watching NFL games?
YouTube TV costs less per month than most cable packages, but you may need to add other services to watch all your team's games if they play on ESPN or Amazon Prime. Compare the total cost of YouTube TV plus any add-ons against your current cable bill to see if it saves you money.