YouTube TV carries most but not all NFL games each week
YouTube TV includes NFL games through its base package, but the number you get depends on which games are broadcast on the channels YouTube TV carries. You will see games on CBS, Fox, and NBC — the three networks that hold regular-season broadcast rights. YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, or NFL+, so you will miss games that air exclusively on those platforms.
In a typical week during the regular season, you might see two to four games on YouTube TV's included channels, depending on the NFL schedule. Some weeks have more games spread across the networks; other weeks have fewer. The exact number changes week to week because the NFL schedules games across multiple time slots and networks throughout the season.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube TV includes CBS, Fox, and NBC, which carry most Sunday and some Monday night games, but not all NFL broadcasts.
- Games on ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and NFL+ are not available through YouTube TV, even with a paid subscription.
- Thursday Night Football moved to Amazon Prime Video in 2023, so YouTube TV subscribers cannot watch those games.
- The number of games per week varies because the NFL schedules games across different networks and time slots throughout the season.
- You can check your local TV listings or the NFL schedule to see which games air on YouTube TV's available channels each week.
Which networks carry NFL games on YouTube TV
YouTube TV's base package includes CBS, Fox, and NBC. These three networks broadcast the majority of regular-season NFL games. CBS and Fox typically show games on Sunday afternoons, while NBC airs Sunday Night Football and some Monday Night Football games. The exact games and times depend on the NFL's weekly schedule.
YouTube TV does not include ESPN, which broadcasts Monday Night Football games that CBS and NBC do not carry. You also will not see games on Amazon Prime Video, which holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. The NFL+ streaming service, which offers some out-of-market games and replays, is separate from YouTube TV and requires its own subscription.
Games you will miss without ESPN or Amazon Prime Video
If you rely only on YouTube TV, you will not see Thursday Night Football games, which moved exclusively to Amazon Prime Video starting in 2023. You also will miss some Monday Night Football broadcasts that air on ESPN instead of NBC. The number of games you lose this way varies by week — some weeks ESPN may have one game, other weeks none.
ESPN also carries playoff games and the Super Bowl in some years, though the Super Bowl rotates among networks. If a playoff game or Super Bowl airs on ESPN, you would need to watch it elsewhere or add ESPN+ to your streaming services. Check the NFL schedule in advance to see which games fall on networks YouTube TV does not carry.
How to find which games are on YouTube TV each week
The fastest way to see what games YouTube TV will broadcast is to open the YouTube TV app or website and look at the sports section. YouTube TV displays upcoming games on its available channels with times and dates. You can also check the official NFL schedule on NFL.com, which lists every game with its broadcast network — then cross-reference with YouTube TV's channel list to see which ones you can watch.
Your local TV listings will also show which games air on CBS and Fox in your area. Sunday games often have regional broadcasts, meaning different parts of the country see different matchups on the same network. YouTube TV respects these regional restrictions, so you may see a different game than someone in another state watching the same channel at the same time.
Regional blackout rules and local games
YouTube TV follows the NFL's blackout rules, which can affect which games you see depending on where you live. If you live in the same market as an NFL team, local games on CBS or Fox may be blacked out on YouTube TV if they do not sell out the stadium. This is rare in practice — most games sell out — but it can happen during the preseason or for less popular matchups.
You can watch games involving your local team on YouTube TV if they are broadcast on CBS or Fox in your region, as long as they are not subject to blackout. If a game is blacked out, the NFL typically offers it through NFL+ or the team's own streaming service instead.
What to do if you want to watch all NFL games
To watch every NFL game, you would need to combine YouTube TV with other services. Add ESPN+ to see Monday Night Football games that air on ESPN. Subscribe to Amazon Prime Video or its add-on channel to watch Thursday Night Football. Some playoff games and the Super Bowl may require yet another service depending on which network broadcasts them that year.
Alternatively, the NFL Sunday Ticket package (available through YouTube TV in some cases, or through other providers) lets you watch most out-of-market games on Sundays. Check with YouTube TV or your cable provider to see if Sunday Ticket is available in your area and what it costs, as pricing and availability change year to year.
Preseason and playoff games on YouTube TV
Preseason games air on the same networks as regular-season games — CBS, Fox, and NBC — so YouTube TV carries them the same way. You will see some preseason matchups but not all, depending on which network broadcasts each game. Playoff games are split among CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN, so YouTube TV will show some playoff games but not others.
The Super Bowl rotates among the major networks each year. When it airs on CBS, Fox, or NBC, YouTube TV subscribers can watch it. When it airs on another network, you would need a different service. The NFL announces the Super Bowl broadcast network years in advance, so you can plan ahead if that matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. Thursday Night Football moved exclusively to Amazon Prime Video in 2023. YouTube TV does not carry Amazon Prime Video games, so you would need a separate Prime Video subscription to watch Thursday games.
Will YouTube TV show me every game my local team plays?
Most of them, yes — but not all. Your local team's games on CBS, Fox, and NBC will appear on YouTube TV. Games on ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, or other networks will not. Check the NFL schedule to see which network broadcasts each game your team plays.
Do I need to add anything to YouTube TV to watch more NFL games?
Yes, if you want games beyond what CBS, Fox, and NBC broadcast. ESPN+ adds Monday Night Football games on ESPN. Amazon Prime Video is required for Thursday Night Football. Some playoff games may require additional services depending on which network holds broadcast rights that year.
Are there blackouts that prevent me from watching games on YouTube TV?
Rarely. The NFL's blackout rule applies to local games that do not sell out, but most games sell out. If a blackout does occur, the game is usually available through NFL+ or the team's streaming service instead.
What if a playoff game or Super Bowl airs on ESPN?
YouTube TV does not carry ESPN, so you would not be able to watch it through YouTube TV. You would need ESPN+ or another service that carries that broadcast. The NFL announces which network carries each playoff game and the Super Bowl well in advance.