YouTube TV carries Monday Night Football through ESPN

YouTube TV includes ESPN as part of its standard package, which means you can watch Monday Night Football games live on the ESPN channel. The games air on Monday evenings during the NFL season, typically starting at 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. You do not need an add-on subscription or a separate cable login — if you have an active YouTube TV membership, you already have access to ESPN.

The broadcast is the same feed you would see on cable ESPN, with the same announcers, commentary, and halftime coverage. YouTube TV's cloud DVR feature records games automatically if you want to watch them later, and you can stream on multiple devices at once depending on your plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is included in YouTube TV's base package at no extra cost.
  • Games typically start at 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on Monday evenings during the NFL season.
  • You can watch on the YouTube TV app, the ESPN app using your YouTube TV login, or on a web browser.
  • Cloud DVR storage comes with YouTube TV, so you can record games and watch them later without paying extra.
  • YouTube TV allows simultaneous streams on multiple devices, though the number depends on which plan you choose.

How to find Monday Night Football in the YouTube TV app

Open the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer. Tap or click the Live tab at the bottom of the screen to see what is currently broadcasting. Scroll through the channel list until you find ESPN, or use the search function at the top and type "ESPN" to jump directly to it.

During Monday Night Football season, ESPN will show the game prominently in the Live tab. If the game has not started yet, you will see the start time and team names. Tap or click on the game tile to open it, then select Watch to begin streaming.

If you prefer to browse upcoming games before game day, go to the Guide tab and search for "Monday Night Football" or navigate to the ESPN channel to see the full schedule for the week.

Recording games with YouTube TV's cloud DVR

YouTube TV automatically records many Monday Night Football games to your cloud DVR library, so you can watch them on your own schedule. When you find a game in the guide or live feed, look for a record button (usually a circle with a dot inside). Tap or click it to add the game to your library.

Recorded games stay in your library for up to nine months, and you can delete them manually if you want to free up space. There is no separate DVR fee — recording is included with your YouTube TV membership. You can access your recordings from the Library tab in the app.

Watching on the ESPN app instead

You can also watch Monday Night Football through the ESPN app on your phone, tablet, or smart TV. Open the ESPN app and look for the Monday Night Football game in the schedule or featured section. When you tap on the game, the app will ask you to sign in with your YouTube TV account.

Enter your YouTube TV email address and password. Once you are signed in, the ESPN app will recognize your YouTube TV membership and let you stream the game. This method is useful if you prefer the ESPN app's interface or want to watch alongside other ESPN content like highlights and analysis.

Streaming on multiple devices at the same time

YouTube TV allows you to stream on more than one device at once, but the number of simultaneous streams depends on your plan. The base YouTube TV plan allows three simultaneous streams. If you need more — for example, if multiple people in your household want to watch different channels at the same time — you can upgrade to the 4K Plus add-on, which increases simultaneous streams to four and adds 4K resolution on supported content.

If you hit your simultaneous stream limit, you will see an error message asking you to stop playback on another device. Sign out of the app on the device you are not using, or wait for that stream to end, then start the game on your current device.

What to do if the game is blacked out in your area

Some Monday Night Football games may be subject to local blackout rules, which prevent streaming in certain regions. If you see a message saying the game is not available in your location, it usually means a local broadcast has exclusive rights to that game in your area.

In that case, check your local TV listings to see if the game is airing on a local channel. You may also be able to watch through that local station's app or website if you sign in with your YouTube TV credentials. Blackout rules vary by game and region, so not every Monday Night Football broadcast will be affected.

Checking the Monday Night Football schedule on YouTube TV

To see which games are coming up and when they air, open YouTube TV and go to the Guide tab. Search for "ESPN" or scroll to find the ESPN channel. The guide shows the full week of programming, including all Monday Night Football games scheduled for that week.

You can also search for "Monday Night Football" directly in the search bar to see all upcoming games across the entire season. YouTube TV syncs with the NFL schedule, so the times and matchups will be current. Set a reminder on your phone or mark the game in your calendar so you do not miss the kickoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ESPN Plus to watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV?

No. ESPN Plus is a separate subscription service. Monday Night Football on ESPN is included with your YouTube TV membership — you do not need ESPN Plus. However, some exclusive NFL content may only be available on ESPN Plus, so check the game listing to confirm it is on the main ESPN channel.

Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV if I am traveling?

Yes, you can stream from anywhere in the United States as long as you have an active YouTube TV membership and an internet connection. YouTube TV does not restrict streaming by location the way some cable services do. If you are outside the U.S., the stream may not work depending on licensing agreements.

What happens if I miss a Monday Night Football game?

If you recorded the game, you can watch it from your Library tab at any time within nine months. If you did not record it, ESPN often replays games later in the week or makes them available on the ESPN app. Check the ESPN schedule or search for the game in YouTube TV's guide to find a replay time.

Can I watch Monday Night Football in 4K on YouTube TV?

Monday Night Football broadcasts in standard HD on ESPN. To watch in 4K, you would need to upgrade to YouTube TV's 4K Plus add-on, but the game itself must be broadcast in 4K — not all Monday Night Football games are. Check the game listing to see if 4K is available for that specific broadcast.

Is there a way to watch just the highlights instead of the full game?

Yes. After the game ends, ESPN posts highlights and condensed replays on the ESPN app and website. You can also search for "Monday Night Football highlights" on YouTube to find clips from the game. These are usually available within a few hours of the game ending.