YouTube TV carries ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts
YouTube TV includes ESPN as part of its standard package, which means you can watch Monday Night Football live during the NFL season without paying extra. The games air on ESPN on Monday evenings, typically starting at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though some weeks feature earlier or later kickoffs. You need an active YouTube TV subscription to stream the games.
YouTube TV costs $72.99 per month as of now, though pricing changes periodically. The service includes over 100 channels beyond ESPN, so you are paying for a full cable-style package, not just football access. If you already subscribe to YouTube TV for other reasons, Monday Night Football is straightforward part of what you already have.
Key Takeaways
- ESPN is included in YouTube TV's base package, so Monday Night Football requires no additional fee beyond your monthly subscription.
- You can stream games on any device where YouTube TV works: phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku or Apple TV.
- YouTube TV offers a cloud DVR that records games automatically, so you can watch on your own schedule if you miss the live broadcast.
- You must have an active subscription during the NFL season to watch; YouTube TV does not offer free trials for new members.
How to find Monday Night Football on YouTube TV
Open the YouTube TV app or website and look for the ESPN channel in your guide. On most devices, you can search for "Monday Night Football" or "ESPN" directly, and the app will show you upcoming games. YouTube TV displays the schedule in your guide several days in advance, so you can see which teams are playing and what time the game starts.
If you are using a smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Chromecast, the YouTube TV app works the same way as on a phone or computer. Select the game from the guide, and it begins streaming. You do not need a separate cable box or login to another service — YouTube TV handles everything through its own app.
Recording games with YouTube TV's cloud DVR
YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings, which means you can record every Monday Night Football game without worrying about running out of space. When you find a game in the guide, select it and choose "Record" or "Add to Library." The game records automatically at its scheduled time, even if you are not watching live.
Recorded games stay in your library for up to nine months, so you can watch them weeks later if you want to avoid spoilers or straightforward missed the live broadcast. You can also fast-forward through commercials when watching a recording, unlike live broadcasts where you see them in real time.
Watching on multiple devices at once
YouTube TV allows you to stream on up to three devices simultaneously with one subscription. This means one person can watch Monday Night Football on the living room TV while someone else watches a different channel on a tablet or phone. If a fourth device tries to stream at the same time, YouTube TV will ask you to stop one of the other streams.
You can also share your YouTube TV account with family members who live in your household. Each person can have their own profile within the account, with separate watch history and recommendations. However, YouTube TV's terms require that account sharing happen only among people who live at the same address.
What to do if you cannot find the game
If you search for a Monday Night Football game and do not see it listed, check that your YouTube TV subscription is current and that you are in a supported location. YouTube TV is available throughout the United States, but some international locations cannot access it. You can verify your subscription status by opening the YouTube TV app and checking your account settings.
Occasionally, a game may be blacked out in your region due to local broadcasting rights, though this is rare for Monday Night Football since ESPN has national rights. If a game does not appear in your guide even though it is scheduled, restart the YouTube TV app or refresh your browser. If the problem continues, contact YouTube TV support through the app's help menu.
Comparing YouTube TV to other ways to watch Monday Night Football
ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that costs $10.99 per month and sometimes carries Monday Night Football games, but not all of them. ESPN's main channel, which carries most Monday Night Football broadcasts, is only available through cable packages or YouTube TV. If you want to watch every game without gaps, YouTube TV or a traditional cable subscription are your main options.
Some games may also stream on ESPN.com if you log in with a YouTube TV account, though the primary broadcast is always on the ESPN channel within YouTube TV itself. The ESPN app and ESPN.com are secondary options for catching games you might have missed, not your main viewing platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ESPN+ to watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. ESPN+ is a separate service. YouTube TV includes the ESPN channel, which carries Monday Night Football. You do not need ESPN+ unless you want access to other ESPN+ exclusive content beyond football.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV without a cable login?
Yes. YouTube TV is a standalone service that does not require a cable subscription. You only need a YouTube TV subscription to watch the games.
What happens if I miss the live game?
You can record the game using YouTube TV's cloud DVR, or you can often find replays on ESPN.com or the ESPN app if you log in with your YouTube TV account. Recorded games stay in your library for nine months.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV 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 stream games through YouTube TV, even with an active subscription.
Does YouTube TV offer a free trial to watch Monday Night Football?
YouTube TV does not currently offer free trials for new members. You must pay for a subscription to watch, though you can cancel anytime without a contract.