YouTube TV carries NFL, college football, and some bowl games, but not every game airs on the channels included in your base plan
YouTube TV includes ESPN, Fox, CBS, and NBC in its standard package, which means you get most regular-season NFL games on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday nights. You also get college football on ESPN and ABC. However, some games air on cable channels like NFL Network, ESPN2, or regional sports networks that may require an add-on subscription or may not be available in your area.
The specific games you can watch depend on which channels your YouTube TV plan includes and which networks hold the broadcast rights that week. A game might air on Fox one week and on a cable channel the next, so checking the TV guide before game day is the only way to know for certain whether you can watch a particular matchup.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV's base plan includes ESPN, Fox, CBS, and NBC, which carry most regular-season NFL and college football games.
- Some games air on NFL Network, ESPN2, or regional sports networks that are not in the base plan and may require an add-on subscription.
- You can search the YouTube TV guide by team name or game time to see whether a specific game is available on your plan before game day.
- YouTube TV allows you to record games and watch them later, and you can stream on multiple devices at the same time depending on your plan.
NFL games on YouTube TV's base channels
The base YouTube TV plan includes Fox, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. These four networks carry the majority of regular-season NFL games. Sunday afternoon games typically air on Fox or CBS, Sunday night games air on NBC, and Monday night games air on ESPN. Thursday night football rotates between networks but often appears on Amazon Prime Video, which YouTube TV does not carry.
The exact schedule changes each season and depends on which network holds the broadcast rights. You can view the full NFL schedule on the NFL's official website and cross-reference it with YouTube TV's channel lineup to see which games are available to you. YouTube TV's search function also lets you type a team name and see upcoming games involving that team.
College football and bowl games
College football games air primarily on ESPN, ABC, and Fox, all of which are in the YouTube TV base plan. Regular-season games on these networks are included. Bowl games vary — some air on ESPN or ABC and are included, while others air on cable channels or specialty networks that may not be part of your plan.
The College Football Playoff games and the national championship game typically air on ESPN or ABC, so they are usually available on YouTube TV. However, some conference championship games and regional matchups may air on conference-specific networks or cable channels that require an add-on subscription.
Channels that require add-ons or are not available
NFL Network, which carries Thursday Night Football and some exclusive games, is not included in YouTube TV's base plan. You can add it as a premium channel for an additional monthly fee. ESPN2, which sometimes carries college football games, is also not in the base package.
Regional sports networks vary by location and may not be available through YouTube TV at all, depending on your area. If you want to watch a team that plays on a regional network, check YouTube TV's channel list for your specific zip code before signing up. Some games that air on these regional channels may have no streaming option through YouTube TV.
How to learn about a specific game is on your plan
The fastest way to check is to open YouTube TV, go to the guide or search function, and type the team name or game time. YouTube TV will show you which channel the game airs on and whether that channel is in your current plan. If the game is on a channel you do not have, YouTube TV will tell you that too.
You can also check the official NFL or college football schedule online, find which network has the broadcast rights, and then verify that network is in your YouTube TV plan. This method takes longer but works if you want to plan ahead for the entire season.
Recording games and watching later
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings, so you can record any game that airs on a channel in your plan and watch it later. This is useful if you cannot watch live or want to skip commercials. The recording stays in your library for up to nine months.
You can also use YouTube TV's restart feature to rewind a live game if you join partway through. This feature is available only while the game is still airing, so once it ends, you can only watch a recording if you set one up beforehand.
Streaming on multiple devices
YouTube TV allows simultaneous streaming on multiple devices depending on your plan. The base plan allows three simultaneous streams, which means three people can watch different games at the same time. If you need more simultaneous streams, YouTube TV offers a higher-tier plan.
You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Google TV. The app is available on all major platforms, so you can watch a game on your phone while someone else watches a different game on the TV in another room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on YouTube TV?
Most Thursday Night Football games air on Amazon Prime Video, which YouTube TV does not carry. Some games air on NFL Network, which requires an add-on subscription to YouTube TV. Check the specific game's broadcast details before game day to know where it will air.
Do I need a cable subscription to watch football on YouTube TV?
No. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that does not require a cable subscription. You pay a monthly fee to YouTube TV directly, and you get access to the channels in your plan. You do not need cable or any other service.
Can I watch out-of-market games on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV carries the same games that air on its included channels, which means you see the same broadcasts as cable customers in your area. Out-of-market games are not available through YouTube TV. NFL Game Pass or ESPN+ may offer out-of-market options, but those are separate services.
What if my favorite team's game is not on YouTube TV?
If a game airs on a channel not in your plan, you can add that channel as a premium subscription if it is available, or you can watch through another service that carries it. Some games may be available through the team's official app or website, though blackout rules may explore.
Can I pause a live game and resume it later?
Yes, if you are watching on a compatible device. You can pause a live game and come back to it within a few hours, though the exact window varies. For longer delays, recording the game is more reliable than using the pause feature.