YouTube TV carries ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts

YouTube TV includes ESPN as part of its base package, which means you can watch Monday Night Football without paying extra. The games air on ESPN most weeks, though some games move to ABC or ESPN2 depending on the NFL schedule. You watch through the YouTube TV app or website the same way you'd watch any other live channel.

The broadcast starts at 8:15 p.m. Eastern on most Mondays during the NFL season. If you have an active YouTube TV subscription, you're already set—no additional sports package or premium tier is required.

Key Takeaways

  • Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is included in YouTube TV's standard subscription at no extra cost.
  • You can watch live on the YouTube TV app, website, or Chromecast to your TV, and the game is available on-demand after it airs.
  • YouTube TV's cloud DVR records games automatically if you're not home, and you can fast-forward through replays later.
  • Some Monday games air on ABC or ESPN2 instead of ESPN, so check the NFL schedule or your YouTube TV guide before game time.

How to find Monday Night Football in the YouTube TV guide

Open the YouTube TV app or go to youtube.com/tv in your browser. On the home screen, you'll see a grid of live channels. Scroll to find ESPN, or use the search bar at the top and type "Monday Night Football" to jump straight to the game.

YouTube TV's guide shows what's on each channel for the next two weeks. If you know which Monday the game you want to watch airs, you can search by date or scroll through the schedule. The game title usually appears in the guide a few days before it airs, so you can plan ahead.

Watching on different devices

YouTube TV works on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices. read the YouTube TV app from the App Store (iPhone), Google Play (Android), or your TV's app store (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast). On a computer, just visit youtube.com/tv and sign in.

If you have a Chromecast or a TV with Chromecast built in, you can cast the game from your phone or computer to the big screen. Open the YouTube TV app, start the game, and tap the cast icon in the top right corner. The game will play on your TV while you control it from your phone.

Using cloud DVR to record games

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings at no extra cost. When you start watching a game, you have the option to save it. Tap the record button (usually a circle icon) and the entire broadcast will be saved to your library.

You can watch the recording anytime after the game ends, and you can fast-forward through commercials or halftime. Recordings stay in your library until you delete them, so you're not limited by storage space the way you would be with a physical DVR box. This is useful if you can't watch the game live or want to rewatch it later.

What to do if the game is on ABC or ESPN2

YouTube TV includes ABC and ESPN2 along with ESPN, so you're covered no matter which network carries the game that week. The NFL schedule changes which games air on which networks, so check the YouTube TV guide or the NFL's official schedule before Monday to confirm where that week's game is broadcasting.

If you're looking for a specific game and can't find it in the guide, search by the team name or the matchup (for example, "Cowboys vs Eagles"). YouTube TV will show you which channel it's on and what time it starts.

Streaming outside your home

YouTube TV lets you watch live TV on the go through the mobile app. Open the app on your phone or tablet, find ESPN, and tap the game. You can stream anywhere you have an internet connection—at work, in a car, or at a friend's house.

The only limitation is that you need to be signed into your YouTube TV account. If someone else in your household has the subscription, you can use their login. YouTube TV allows multiple people to watch at the same time on different devices, so you and a family member can watch the same game on separate screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service—you don't need a cable subscription or a separate cable login. Your YouTube TV subscription is all you need to watch ESPN and the Monday Night Football games.

Can I watch the game if I'm traveling or out of state?

Yes. YouTube TV works anywhere you have an internet connection. You can stream on your phone, tablet, or computer while traveling. The only requirement is that you're signed into your YouTube TV account.

What happens if I miss the game?

You can watch it on-demand after it airs. The game will be available in the YouTube TV app under the ESPN channel or in your recordings if you saved it. You can also search for highlights on ESPN's website or YouTube, though those are shorter clips rather than the full broadcast.

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

YouTube TV doesn't offer a highlights-only option, but ESPN's website and YouTube channel post highlights after games air. If you want the full broadcast without sitting through the entire game, you can fast-forward through the recording using YouTube TV's player.

Can multiple people watch on the same account at the same time?

Yes. YouTube TV allows three simultaneous streams on one account. You, a family member, and a friend can each watch on a different device at the same time, including the Monday Night Football game.