YouTube TV carries Monday Night Football through ESPN

Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, and YouTube TV includes ESPN in its base package. You can watch the game live on the ESPN channel during the broadcast window, which typically runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time on Mondays during the NFL season (September through early January, plus playoffs).

The broadcast is the same feed you would see on cable or satellite — no separate stream or special login required beyond your YouTube TV account. If you have an active subscription, the ESPN channel appears in your channel guide alongside your other live TV options.

Key Takeaways

  • Monday Night Football streams live on the ESPN channel within YouTube TV's base package at no extra cost.
  • Games air Monday evenings during the NFL season, typically starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
  • You can watch on any device where YouTube TV is installed — phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV.
  • YouTube TV includes a cloud DVR that records games automatically, so you can watch later if you miss the live broadcast.
  • YouTube TV offers a trial period before charging your first month, so you can test the service during an upcoming game.

Finding Monday Night Football in the YouTube TV guide

Open YouTube TV and look at the channel guide. ESPN appears in the main channel list — you do not need to search for it. Scroll to find ESPN or use the search function to jump directly to the channel.

On Monday evenings during the NFL season, the ESPN listing shows the game title and start time. Tap or click on the listing to tune in. If you are browsing ahead, you can see which Mondays have games scheduled by checking the guide a week or two in advance.

Watching on different devices

YouTube TV works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, computers with a web browser, and connected TV devices including Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Samsung Smart TVs. The ESPN channel and Monday Night Football broadcast are available on all of these platforms with the same account.

If you start watching on your phone, you can switch to your TV by opening YouTube TV on the TV device and signing in with the same account. The broadcast continues from where you left off, or you can start fresh on the larger screen.

Using the cloud DVR to record games

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud storage for recorded programs. When a Monday Night Football game is scheduled, you can add it to your library before it airs, and YouTube TV records it automatically. The recording stays available for nine months, so you can watch it anytime during that window.

To record a game, open the ESPN channel listing and select the option to add it to your library. You can also set YouTube TV to record all Monday Night Football games for the season, which saves you from having to add each one individually.

What happens if you miss the live broadcast

If you did not record the game in advance, ESPN often re-airs Monday Night Football on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. Check the ESPN channel guide for repeat broadcast times. YouTube TV also carries ESPN+ as a separate streaming service (available as an add-on), which sometimes offers on-demand replays of recent games, though this varies by week.

The NFL also posts highlights and full-game replays on its own platforms, though these may appear a day or more after the live broadcast. YouTube TV's DVR is the most straightforward way to watch a game you missed on your own schedule.

YouTube TV pricing and trial period

YouTube TV charges a monthly subscription fee for access to live TV channels including ESPN. The exact price varies and can change, so check the YouTube TV website for the current rate. The service offers a trial period before your first charge, which typically lasts several days to a week.

If you sign up during the NFL season, you can use the trial to watch one or more Monday Night Football games before deciding whether to keep the subscription. Cancel anytime during the trial period to avoid being charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate ESPN+ subscription to watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV?

No. Monday Night Football on ESPN is included in YouTube TV's base package. ESPN+ is a separate streaming service that YouTube TV offers as an add-on, but the main Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN does not require it.

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 abroad, you will not be able to access the service. Some international markets have their own streaming options for NFL games, but those are separate from YouTube TV.

What if the Monday Night Football game is blacked out in my area?

Local blackout rules are set by the NFL and ESPN, not by YouTube TV. In rare cases, a game may not be available in your region due to local broadcasting agreements. If a blackout applies, YouTube TV will not show the game, and you would need to check local broadcast channels or other streaming services in your area.

Can I watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV without a cable login?

Yes. YouTube TV is a standalone streaming service — you do not need a cable or satellite subscription. Your YouTube TV account is your only login required to watch ESPN and Monday Night Football.

Does YouTube TV let me pause or rewind a live Monday Night Football game?

Yes. YouTube TV includes a feature called Start Over that lets you restart a live broadcast from the beginning if you tune in after it has started. You can also pause and rewind during the game. This works as long as the broadcast is still airing.