Monday Night Football streams on YouTube TV if you have the right channel package
Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, and ESPN is available on YouTube TV's base package. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, you can watch Monday Night Football live during the regular season and playoffs without paying extra. The game starts at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time most weeks, though some games begin at 7:10 p.m.
YouTube TV includes ESPN as part of its standard monthly subscription. You do not need a cable login or a separate ESPN+ subscription to watch Monday Night Football on the ESPN channel itself — the base package covers it. If you are already a YouTube TV subscriber, open the app or website, find ESPN in your channel list, and tune in when the game airs.
The availability can change based on blackout rules or special scheduling, but for the vast majority of Monday Night Football games during the NFL season, ESPN on YouTube TV is where you watch.
Key Takeaways
- Monday Night Football airs on ESPN, which is included in YouTube TV's base subscription package at no extra cost.
- Games typically start at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, though some weeks the kickoff is earlier.
- You can watch on any device where you have YouTube TV installed — phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device.
- YouTube TV allows simultaneous streams on multiple devices depending on your account settings, so household members can watch on different screens.
How to find Monday Night Football on YouTube TV
Open YouTube TV and look for ESPN in your channel guide. On game nights, ESPN will show Monday Night Football in the schedule. You can also search for "Monday Night Football" directly in the YouTube TV search bar, and the app will show you which channel is broadcasting it and what time the game starts.
If you have YouTube TV on a smart TV, phone, or tablet, the process is the same: navigate to ESPN or search for the game. YouTube TV remembers your favorite channels, so you can pin ESPN to the top of your guide for faster access on Monday nights.
What devices work for watching
YouTube TV works on most streaming devices: Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google TV, and Chromecast. It also works on phones and tablets running iOS or Android, and on computers through a web browser. You can watch Monday Night Football on whichever device you prefer, as long as you are signed into your YouTube TV account.
YouTube TV allows multiple people on the same account to watch at the same time on different devices. The exact number of simultaneous streams depends on your account type, but most household members can watch different channels or shows at once.
When Monday Night Football games air during the season
Monday Night Football runs from September through early January during the regular NFL season. Games air every Monday night during this period, with rare exceptions for holidays or special scheduling. Playoff games also air on Monday nights when the NFL schedule includes them.
The exact start time varies week to week. Most games begin at 8:15 p.m. Eastern time, but some weeks ESPN schedules an earlier kickoff at 7:10 p.m. Check the YouTube TV guide or ESPN's schedule a few days before the game to confirm the exact time for the matchup you want to watch.
What to do if you do not have YouTube TV yet
YouTube TV is a paid subscription service. You can sign up through the YouTube TV website or app and start watching when ready. The subscription includes ESPN plus dozens of other channels. YouTube TV offers a trial period before charging your payment method, so you can test it out before committing.
If you already subscribe to YouTube TV for other reasons — sports, news, or entertainment — Monday Night Football is already included. You do not need to add anything or pay extra to watch the games.
Streaming quality and internet requirements
YouTube TV streams in high definition on most devices. To watch without buffering, you need a stable internet connection with at least 3 Mbps for standard quality and 7 Mbps for HD. Most home broadband connections meet this requirement, but if you experience stuttering or freezing during games, check your internet speed or move closer to your router.
YouTube TV automatically adjusts video quality based on your connection speed, so if your internet is slower, the picture will be lower quality but the stream should keep playing. You can also manually adjust quality settings in the YouTube TV app if you want to prioritize speed over picture quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ESPN+ to watch Monday Night Football on YouTube TV?
No. ESPN+ is a separate subscription. Monday Night Football on the ESPN channel is included with YouTube TV's base package. ESPN+ offers different content, like some college sports and exclusive games, but it is not required to watch Monday Night Football on ESPN.
Can I watch Monday Night Football if I am traveling or outside my home?
Yes. YouTube TV works anywhere you have an internet connection. You can watch Monday Night Football on your phone, tablet, or computer while traveling, at work, or anywhere else. You just need to be signed into your YouTube TV account.
What happens if I miss a Monday Night Football game?
YouTube TV records programs automatically and stores them in your library. You can watch a recorded Monday Night Football game on demand for a set period after it airs. Check your library in the YouTube TV app to find past games.
Is there a way to watch just Monday Night Football without paying for the full YouTube TV package?
Not through YouTube TV itself. YouTube TV is a bundle that includes ESPN and many other channels. ESPN does offer ESPN+ as a separate subscription, but that does not include Monday Night Football broadcasts — those air only on the ESPN channel, which requires YouTube TV or another cable or streaming service.