You can watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV through ESPN, which carries the games every Monday during the NFL season

Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, and YouTube TV includes ESPN in its base package. You do not need an add-on or separate subscription — if you have YouTube TV, you already have access to the channel. During the NFL season, games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though some weeks feature earlier kickoffs or doubleheaders.

The broadcast is live, so you watch it the same way you would on cable: turn on the ESPN channel in the YouTube TV app or on your TV, and the game appears. YouTube TV also stores the game in your library for 9 months, so you can rewatch it later if you miss the live broadcast.

Key Takeaways

  • ESPN carries Monday Night Football, and ESPN is included in YouTube TV's base package at no extra cost.
  • Games air live at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time most weeks, though some Mondays have earlier or later start times depending on the NFL schedule.
  • You watch through the YouTube TV app on your phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV device — the same way you watch any other channel.
  • Recorded games stay in your library for 9 months, so you can watch on demand if you cannot tune in live.

How to find and watch the game in the YouTube TV app

Open the YouTube TV app on whichever device you are using — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV. The steps are the same across all of them. Search for "ESPN" in the search bar at the top, or scroll through the channel list until you find it. Tap or click on ESPN to open the channel.

On Monday nights during the NFL season, the game will be the main content showing on ESPN. Tap or click to start watching. If the game has not started yet, you will see a countdown timer and the option to set a reminder. YouTube TV will notify you when the broadcast begins.

If you want to watch a game you missed, go to the Library tab in the YouTube TV app, search for "Monday Night Football," and select the recorded game. It will play from the beginning, and you can fast-forward or rewind as you like.

What devices work with YouTube TV

YouTube TV works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers with a web browser, and most streaming devices. The major ones are Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. If you have a newer TV with built-in streaming apps, YouTube TV is often pre-installed or available in the app store.

You can watch on up to three devices at the same time with one YouTube TV account, though only one person per household can watch at a time on the same account. If you live with family members, each person can sign in with their own Google account linked to the YouTube TV subscription, and they will have their own library and recommendations.

What to do if ESPN is blacked out in your area

Blackout rules are rare for Monday Night Football, but they can happen in specific situations. If a game is blacked out on ESPN in your location, YouTube TV will show a message saying the broadcast is not available. This usually occurs only if a local team is playing and the game is being shown on a local channel instead.

If a blackout happens, check whether the game is airing on a local ABC, NBC, or CBS affiliate instead. YouTube TV includes those channels, and the game may be available there. You can also contact YouTube TV support through the app to ask about the specific game and your location.

YouTube TV cost and what else is included

YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month as of the most recent update, though prices can change. That price includes ESPN, all the major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox), cable news channels, sports channels like Fox Sports and NBC Sports, and over 100 other channels. You can add premium channels like HBO Max or Showtime for extra fees if you want them.

The subscription includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings, so every Monday Night Football game is saved for 9 months. You also get a free trial period when you first sign up, which lets you watch games at no cost for a limited time. Check the YouTube TV website for the current trial length, as it changes occasionally.

Streaming quality and internet speed you need

YouTube TV recommends at least 3 megabits per second (Mbps) for standard definition and 7 Mbps for high definition. Most home internet connections meet this, but if you have slow internet or many people using the network at once, the stream may buffer or drop quality. If that happens, try closing other apps or devices using the internet, or move closer to your router.

You can also adjust the video quality manually in the YouTube TV app settings. Lower quality uses less data and may stream more smoothly on a slow connection, though the picture will not be as sharp. If you are watching on a phone or tablet over cellular data, YouTube TV will automatically use lower quality to avoid using too much data.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service that does not require cable. You only need an internet connection and a YouTube TV subscription. ESPN is included in the base package, so you do not pay extra for Monday Night Football.

Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV if I am outside the United States?

YouTube TV is only available in the United States. If you are traveling outside the country, you will not be able to watch. Some games may be available through ESPN's international streaming services or local broadcasters in other countries, but that depends on where you are.

What happens if I miss the live game?

YouTube TV automatically records every Monday Night Football game and stores it in your library for 9 months. You can watch it on demand anytime during that period. You can also fast-forward through commercials when watching a recorded game.

Can multiple people watch Monday Night Football at the same time on one YouTube TV account?

You can watch on up to three devices at the same time, but only one person per household can watch at a time on the same account. If you live with others, each person should sign in with their own Google account linked to the YouTube TV subscription so they can watch independently.

Is Monday Night Football always on ESPN?

Yes, ESPN has the exclusive rights to Monday Night Football. Every game airs on ESPN, though some games may also air on ABC (which is owned by the same parent company). If you have YouTube TV, you have both channels included.