YouTube TV carries most NFL games, but not all of them
YouTube TV includes the major networks that broadcast NFL games—CBS, Fox, and NBC—so you will see most regular season and playoff games. However, some games air only on ESPN, the NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video, which YouTube TV does not carry. If you want to watch every single game your team plays, you will need to check which network is broadcasting each week and have access to those services.
The games you can watch depend on your location. YouTube TV uses your zip code to determine which local CBS and Fox affiliates you receive, so you see the games those stations broadcast in your region. National games on NBC and most playoff games will be available to all YouTube TV subscribers.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, and NBC, which broadcast the majority of NFL regular season and playoff games.
- Games that air exclusively on ESPN, NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video are not available through YouTube TV.
- Your local CBS and Fox channels on YouTube TV show the regional games your area receives, not games from other regions.
- Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video requires a separate Prime Video subscription or Prime membership.
- You can check your local TV listings or the NFL schedule to see which network broadcasts each game before the season starts.
What networks YouTube TV includes for NFL coverage
YouTube TV's base package includes CBS, Fox, and NBC. These three networks carry the bulk of NFL games: Fox and CBS split Sunday afternoon games by region, NBC broadcasts Sunday Night Football, and NBC also carries some playoff games. This means you will see most games involving your local team and the nationally televised matchups.
YouTube TV does not include ESPN, the NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video in its standard package. ESPN broadcasts Monday Night Football and some playoff games. The NFL Network shows select games throughout the season and the NFL Draft. Amazon Prime Video has exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. If any of these are important to you, you will need a separate subscription or cable login.
How local and national games are divided
The NFL splits its broadcast rights by time slot and region. On Sunday afternoons, CBS and Fox each broadcast games to different parts of the country based on your zip code. YouTube TV determines which local CBS and Fox stations you receive when you sign up, so you see the games those affiliates are showing in your area. This means you might see your team's game while someone in another state sees a different matchup at the same time.
National games—like Sunday Night Football on NBC, Monday Night Football on ESPN, and most playoff games—broadcast to everyone in the country. YouTube TV subscribers can watch these games if they air on NBC. Games on ESPN or other networks YouTube TV does not carry will not appear in your guide, even though they are happening at the same time.
Thursday Night Football and Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, meaning no other service broadcasts these games. YouTube TV does not carry Prime Video, so you cannot watch Thursday Night Football through your YouTube TV subscription. You will need either an Amazon Prime membership (which includes Prime Video) or a standalone Prime Video subscription to watch these games.
This is one of the most common gaps for people who rely on YouTube TV for football. If your team plays on Thursday night, mark those dates and plan to watch through Prime Video or another device where you have access.
Playoff games and Super Bowl coverage
Most NFL playoff games air on CBS, Fox, or NBC, so YouTube TV subscribers can watch them. The Super Bowl rotates among these three networks each year, and YouTube TV will carry it when it airs on any of them. However, if a playoff game is scheduled exclusively on ESPN or another network YouTube TV does not include, you will need to find another way to watch.
The NFL schedule and broadcast assignments are usually announced in the spring before the season starts. You can check the official NFL website or your local TV listings to see which network will broadcast each playoff game in your area.
How to find out which network broadcasts your team's games
The easiest way to check is the NFL's official schedule page, where each game lists the broadcast network. You can also search for your specific team's schedule—most team websites show the network for each game. Your YouTube TV guide will display games that air on channels you receive, so you can scan your TV listings for the week to see what is available.
If you see a game listed on ESPN, NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV will not carry it. In those cases, you can watch through the network's own app (if you have a cable login), the NFL+ subscription service (which offers some games), or the league's official streaming options. The NFL+ service costs money but offers a broader range of games than YouTube TV alone.
NFL+ and other streaming options for games YouTube TV does not carry
The NFL offers its own streaming service, NFL+, which includes out-of-market games and some nationally televised matchups. This is separate from YouTube TV and requires its own subscription. NFL+ does not include all games—local games in your market are usually blocked—but it fills some gaps that YouTube TV leaves.
ESPN+ (a separate service from ESPN on cable) also streams some games if you have an ESPN+ subscription. Amazon Prime Video is the only place to watch Thursday Night Football. If you want the most complete coverage, you may need YouTube TV plus one or two additional services depending on which games matter most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch my local team's games on YouTube TV?
Most of the time, yes. YouTube TV includes your local CBS and Fox affiliates, which broadcast regional Sunday afternoon games. However, if your team's game is on ESPN, the NFL Network, or Amazon Prime Video that week, you will not see it on YouTube TV. Check the broadcast schedule for each game.
Does YouTube TV include Monday Night Football?
No. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which YouTube TV does not carry. You would need an ESPN+ subscription, a cable login for the ESPN app, or another streaming service that includes ESPN to watch these games.
What if I want to watch games from teams outside my region?
YouTube TV shows only the regional games your local CBS and Fox stations broadcast. Out-of-market games are usually blocked. NFL+ offers out-of-market games as part of its subscription, though local games in your area remain blocked on that service too.
Is the Super Bowl on YouTube TV?
Yes, when the Super Bowl airs on CBS, Fox, or NBC, YouTube TV subscribers can watch it. The network rotates each year, so check the schedule to confirm which network is broadcasting that year's game.
Can I add ESPN or the NFL Network to my YouTube TV subscription?
No. YouTube TV's channel lineup is fixed and does not offer add-on packages for ESPN or the NFL Network. You would need a separate subscription to those services or a cable login to watch their exclusive games.