Record a football game by opening the game listing and selecting the record button

YouTube TV lets you record any football game that appears in your channel guide. Find the game in the schedule, click or tap the record icon (a circle outline next to the game title), and YouTube TV saves it to your library. The recording starts automatically when the game begins and stops when it ends, even if the broadcast runs long due to overtime or delays.

You do not need to set up anything in advance or adjust settings. The moment you tap record, the system handles the rest. Your recording appears in the Library section of YouTube TV, where you can watch it anytime within the storage period your account allows.

Key Takeaways

  • Tap the record icon next to any football game in the guide to save it automatically to your library.
  • YouTube TV records the entire broadcast, including overtime and pre-game coverage if the game starts early.
  • Recordings stay in your library for nine months from the air date before YouTube TV deletes them.
  • You can record multiple games at once—YouTube TV has no limit on simultaneous recordings.
  • If you record a game and later decide you do not want it, delete it from your library to free up space.

Where to find the record button in the guide

Open YouTube TV and navigate to the Guide tab at the bottom of the screen (on mobile) or the left sidebar (on a computer or TV). Scroll through the channels or search for the network showing the football game—ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC, and NFL Network all carry games depending on the week and season.

When you find the game listing, you will see the game title, time, and channel. Look for a circle outline icon next to the game name. That is the record button. Tap or click it once, and it fills in with a solid circle or changes color to show the recording is set. You will also see a confirmation message on screen.

What happens when a game runs long

Football games often run past their scheduled end time because of overtime, timeouts, or reviews. YouTube TV automatically extends the recording to capture the entire game, so you will not miss the final plays even if the broadcast goes thirty minutes over.

If a game is scheduled to end at 10:30 p.m. but does not finish until 11:15 p.m., your recording includes all of it. You do not have to do anything—YouTube TV handles the timing automatically based on when the network stops broadcasting.

How long YouTube TV keeps your recordings

YouTube TV stores your recorded games in your library for nine months from the original air date. After nine months, the recording is automatically deleted to make room for new content. This applies to all recordings on your account, not just sports.

If you want to keep a recording longer, you can read it to your device before the nine-month window closes, though this option is only available on the YouTube TV mobile app. Once downloaded, you can watch it offline even after it is removed from your library.

Recording multiple games at the same time

YouTube TV does not limit how many games you can record simultaneously. If two football games air at the same time and you want both, record them both. Your account will save both recordings to your library without any conflict or cancellation.

This is different from live TV, where you can only watch one channel at a time. Recording lets you capture as many games as you want, then watch them whenever you choose.

Deleting a recording you no longer need

Open your Library and find the game you recorded. Tap or click the three-dot menu icon next to the recording title, then select Delete. The recording is removed from your library when ready and the storage space is freed up.

You can also delete a recording before it finishes airing. If you change your mind about keeping a game, go to your library, find it in the In Progress section, and delete it. YouTube TV will stop recording and remove it.

Watching your recorded game

Go to the Library tab in YouTube TV and look for the Shows or Recordings section. Your recorded football games appear there with a thumbnail image and the air date. Tap or click the game to start watching from the beginning.

You can pause, rewind, and fast-forward through your recording just as you would with live TV. If you stop watching partway through, YouTube TV remembers where you left off and offers to resume from that point the next time you open it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a game that already aired?

No. You can only record games that are scheduled to air in the future. If a game has already finished broadcasting, it will not appear in the guide as recordable. However, some networks offer on-demand replays of recent games in the YouTube TV app, which you can watch without recording.

What if I record a game but my internet goes out during the broadcast?

YouTube TV records on its servers, not on your device, so your internet connection does not affect the recording. Even if your connection drops, the game is still being recorded in the cloud. You can watch it later once your internet is back.

Can I record a game on one device and watch it on another?

Yes. Your recordings are tied to your YouTube TV account, not to a specific device. Record on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV, and you can watch that recording on any other device where you are signed into the same account.

Do I need a special YouTube TV plan to record games?

No. Recording is included with all YouTube TV memberships at no extra cost. Every account can record unlimited games with no additional fees or premium tier required.

What if the game gets rescheduled to a different time?

If a game is moved to a new time slot before it airs, your recording may not capture it if you set it to record at the original time. Check the guide before game day to confirm the time has not changed. If it has, delete the old recording and set a new one for the updated time.