You can still watch NFL games if you've ditched your cable company in favor of video streaming services. However, you shouldn't fire up on-demand platforms like Disney+ and Netflix, which generally lack live sports (though that's slowly changing). Instead, subscribe to a live TV streaming service to catch the weekly gridiron action. Video streaming is a huge and complex category, especially when it comes to confusing and expensive live sports broadcasts. Fortunately, PCMag knows video streaming inside and out. We've covered video streaming services for more than a decade, so our independent reviews will help you find the libraries with the best content, features, and prices. The NFL is choosy about the platforms that carry its games, but multiple video streaming Editors' Choice winners (Hulu, Peacock, YouTube TV) are good starting points. So, are you ready for some football?
Overview
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![Hulu]()
Best for NFL Coverage and On-Demand ShowsHulu
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![YouTube TV]()
Best for Recording NFL GamesYouTube TV
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![Peacock]()
Best for Sunday Night FootballPeacock
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![Amazon Prime Video]()
Best for Thursday Night FootballAmazon Prime Video
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![Fubo]()
Best for Watching the NFL and Other SportsFubo
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![DirecTV]()
Best for RSN CoverageDirecTV
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![NFL+]()
Best for Replays of Every NFL GameNFL+
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![NFL Sunday Ticket]()
Best for Out-of-Market Regular-Season GamesNFL Sunday Ticket
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![ESPN Select]()
Best for Monday Night Football With the ManningsESPN Select
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![Paramount+]()
Best for NFL Broadcasts on CBSParamount+
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![Sling TV]()
Best for Monday Night Football on the CheapSling TV
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Hulu]()
Best for NFL Coverage and On-Demand ShowsHulu
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Hulu + Live TV ($89.99 per month) features all the channels you need to watch NFL games, including CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. Hulu also offers a Sports add-on ($9.99 per month) that includes NFL RedZone.
Who It's For
Sports fans who also want entertainment channels: Hulu + Live TV is an excellent choice for general audiences, offering CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. Those networks carry football, as well as popular shows like Chicago Med and Tracker.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited; 9 Months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage NBC Sports Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More Hulu Review -
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Credit: YouTube
![YouTube TV]()
Best for Recording NFL GamesYouTube TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
For NFL coverage, YouTube TV ($82.99 per month) offers CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC. It even includes the NFL Network, which is great for die-hard NFL fans. Want the NFL RedZone channel? You must pony up $10.99 per month for YouTube TV's Sports Plus add-on.
Who It's For
Fantasy football fans: YouTube TV has many features (multiview, numerous live stats) that are perfect for people who need to follow specific teams or players. Adding NFL RedZone lets you follow all the highlights from across the league.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Concurrent Streams 3 or Unlimited (at home) DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited; 9 Months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage NBC Sports Sports Coverage National & Regional Starting Price $82.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More YouTube TV Review -
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![Peacock]()
Best for Sunday Night FootballPeacock
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
If you subscribe to Peacock's Premium ($10.99 per month) or Premium Plus ($16.99 per month) plans, you can watch every Sunday Night Football game, plus the NFL Hall of Fame Game, and three playoff games (two Wild Card matchups and one Divisional Playoff faceoff).
Who It's For
Casual football fans: If you only want to watch a handful of NFL games, Peacock is a great pick due to its reasonable price, weekly Sunday matchups, and three playoff contests.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Concurrent Streams 3 DVR Storage & Retention None Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage None Monday Night Football None Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage International & National Starting Price $7.99 per month Sunday Football None Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football None World Series Coverage None Learn More Peacock Review -
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![Amazon Prime Video]()
Best for Thursday Night FootballAmazon Prime Video
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Prime Video ($8.99 per month) holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football, making it an essential streaming platform for NFL fans. With a Prime Video subscription, you can also stream Amazon's All or Nothing series, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at various professional sports teams (including NFL teams).
Who It's For
Stat and strategy nerds: Prime Video leverages Amazon's tech muscle to enhance the viewing experience with AI-powered features, including Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats, an alternative stream featuring extra stats and graphical enhancements that highlight the teams' strategies.
Specs & Configurations
4K Streaming Yes Ads Anime Audio Descriptions Concurrent Streams 5 DVR Storage & Retention None Live TV Monday Night Football No Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Parental Control Tools Device-based or Kids Mode Rentals and Purchases Built-in options Sports Coverage Thursday Night Football, plus National sports (via Channel add-ons) Starting Price $8.99 per month Sunday Football None Sunday Night Football No Supported Platforms Media Streaming Devices (Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku), Microsoft Store, Mobile (Android and iOS), Game Consoles (PlayStation and Xbox), Smart TVs, and Web Thursday Night Football Prime Video Top Original Movies Blow the Man Down, Honey Boy, Manchester by the Sea, My Spy, Troop Zero, The Aeronauts, The Big Sick, The Sound of Metal, and The Report Top Original Shows Bosch, Catastrophe, Electric Dreams, Fleabag, Good Omens, Hanna, Homecoming, Hunters, Jack Ryan, Tales From The Loop, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Patriot, The Boys, Undone, Upload, and Utopia Learn More Amazon Prime Video Review -
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Credit: Fubo
![Fubo]()
Best for Watching the NFL and Other SportsFubo
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Fubo ($45.99 per month) is an excellent option for NFL fans; it includes CBS, FOX, NBC, and the NFL Network. Fubo added Disney channels (including ESPN) to its channel lineups, which considerably improves the service's NFL coverage. You can also get the NFL RedZone channel via the $10.99 per month Sports Plus with NFL RedZone add-on.
Who It's For
NFL fans who want to watch games later: Fubo's plans let you record unlimited hours of DVR content, which you keep forever. So, you won't miss a heated football matchup if you have other obligations.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Concurrent Streams 2 or 10 DVR Storage & Retention Unlimited Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX and FS1 Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC and ESPN; NBA TV (via Add-On) Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC and ESPN; NHL Network (via Add-On) RSN Coverage AT&T SportsNet and some NBC Sports Sports Coverage International, National, & Regional Starting Price $84.99 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX Learn More Fubo Review -
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Credit: DirecTV
![DirecTV]()
Best for RSN CoverageDirecTV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
DirecTV's MySports package ($64.99 per month) has the many core channels you need to watch big NFL games. With it, you can stream CBS, ESPN, FOX, NFL Network, and other essential channels, so you can watch nearly all regular-season and playoff games.
Who It's For
Local team superfans: With its local and national channels, DirecTV helps you navigate the tricky world of regional sports networks. Plus, sports fans will appreciate DirecTV's Lookback and Rewind capabilities, which let you watch previously aired content (up to 72 hours ago) and restart live streams from the beginning of the broadcast, respectively.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 20 (at home) and 3 (away from home) DVR Storage & Retention 20 hours or Unlimited, nine months Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX, FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ABC On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ABC, ESPN, and TNT Regular Season National NHL Coverage ABC, ESPN, NHL Network, TBS, and TNT RSN Coverage AT&T SportsNet, Bally Sports, and some NBC Sports Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $101.98 per month Sunday Football CBS and FOX Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX World Series Coverage FOX Learn More DirecTV Review -
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![NFL+]()
Best for Replays of Every NFL GameNFL+
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
NFL+ ($6.99 per month) gives NFL fans access to replays of every NFL game (including playoff matchups and the Super Bowl) each season, regardless of their location. No other streaming service offers that capability. Game replays are typically available shortly after the live broadcast concludes. The service also includes live audio feeds of games and in-market preseason games, and live local and primetime games on mobile devices.
Who It's For
Busy people: if you don't have time to catch full NFL games as they happen, NFL+'s condensed replays are must-watch streams. They let you watch commercial-free matchups in just 45 minutes.
Specs & Configurations
Concurrent Streams Unlimited DVR Storage & Retention None Monday Night Football All Replays Starting Price $6.99 per month Sunday Football All Replays Sunday Night Football All Replays Thursday Night Football All Replays Learn More NFL+ Review -
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Credit: NFL/YouTube
![NFL Sunday Ticket]()
Best for Out-of-Market Regular-Season GamesNFL Sunday Ticket
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
NFL Sunday Ticket is the only service I've reviewed that lets you watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on Sunday. However, NFL Sunday Ticket is very expensive (starting at $240 per season) and does not include live in-market games on Sunday afternoons, Thursday nights, Sunday nights, or Monday nights.
Who It's For
Fans who live outside of their teams' markets: If you want to watch out-of-market Sunday football games legally, NFL Sunday Ticket is your only option. Fortunately, the move from creaky cable to online YouTube has given the service a nice boost with cool features such as customizable closed captions, unlimited simultaneous streams, and the ability to watch multiple games.
Specs & Configurations
Concurrent Streams 2 or Unlimited (at home) DVR Storage & Retention None Monday Night Football No Starting Price $349 Sunday Football Out-of-market games Sunday Night Football No Thursday Night Football No Learn More NFL Sunday Ticket Review -
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Credit: ESPN
![ESPN Select]()
Best for Monday Night Football With the ManningsESPN Select
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
ESPN Select ($12.99 per month) isn't the most stacked streaming platform for live sports, but its value to NFL fans lies in simulcasts of ESPN2's Monday Night Football, featuring Eli and Peyton Manning.
Who It's For
People who love colorful commentary: Want to hear more football talk? ESPN Select has several NFL commentary shows in its lineup, including The Fantasy Show and NFL PrimeTime.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Concurrent Streams 3 DVR Storage & Retention None Live TV Monday Night Football Simulcast of ESPN2's Monday Night Football Broadcast With the Mannings Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Regular Season National NHL Coverage NHL.TV Package (out-of-market games) RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage MLB, NCAA, NHL, Tennis Starting Price $12.99 per month Sunday Football None Sunday Night Football None Thursday Night Football None Learn More ESPN Select Review -
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Credit: Paramount
![Paramount+]()
Best for NFL Broadcasts on CBSParamount+
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Paramount+ enables Premium subscribers ($12.99 per month) to stream a live feed of local CBS broadcast channels, which means you can watch live NFL games. You can also watch on-demand episodes of NFL Slimetime.
Who It's For
CBS fans: As the streaming hub for CBS, Paramount+ has the expected NFL Sunday games. However, there's more to watch for viewers who care about content beyond football, including The Good Fight and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Specs & Configurations
Ads Concurrent Streams 3 DVR Storage & Retention None Live TV Monday Night Football No Offline Downloads on Mobile On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Original Programming Sports Coverage National & Regional Starting Price $8.99 per month Sunday Football CBS Sunday Night Football No Thursday Night Football No Learn More Paramount+ Review -
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Credit: Sling
![Sling TV]()
Best for Monday Night Football on the CheapSling TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Sling TV splits its sports coverage across its Orange and Blue plans, with ESPN channels on Orange and NFL Network and NBC on Blue. You must pay for the combined Orange + Blue Package ($66 per month) to get its complete NFL coverage. NBC and FOX affiliates are available in select markets for subscribers with at least a Sling Blue plan, but if you want to watch games that air on ABC, you need to set up an antenna, which partially defeats the purpose of getting a video streaming service in the first place. Sling also lacks CBS affiliate channels.
Who It's For
Football fans who want to watch other sports: Sling TV lets viewers customize their streaming packages. Sports fans may want to subscribe to the Sports Extra add-on ($10 per month) to get beIN Sports, ESPN U, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, and NHL Network.
Specs & Configurations
4K Live Streams Ads Anime Concurrent Streams 1 (for Sling Orange channels), 3 (for Sling Blue channels) DVR Storage & Retention 50 hours or unlimited; Indefinitely Live TV MLB Playoffs Coverage FOX (in select markets), FS1, and TBS Monday Night Football ESPN NBA Finals ESPN3 (simulcasts of ABC) On-Demand Movies and TV Shows Regular Season National NBA Coverage ESPN and TNT; NBA TV (via Add-On); ABC (via Antenna) Regular Season National NHL Coverage ESPN, TBS, and TNT; NHL Network (via Add-On); ABC (via Antenna) RSN Coverage None Sports Coverage International*, National, & Regional Starting Price $46 per month; $66 per month Sunday Football FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) Sunday Night Football NBC Thursday Night Football FOX and NFL Network World Series Coverage FOX (in select markets) Learn More Sling TV Review -
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Our Pick | |||||||||||||
Rating |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
3.5 Good |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
Best For | Best for NFL Coverage and On-Demand Shows | Best for Recording NFL Games | Best for Sunday Night Football | Best for Thursday Night Football | Best for Watching the NFL and Other Sports | Best for RSN Coverage | Best for Replays of Every NFL Game | Best for Out-of-Market Regular-Season Games | Best for Monday Night Football With the Mannings | Best for NFL Broadcasts on CBS | Best for NFL Coverage and On-Demand Shows | Best for Recording NFL Games | Best for Sunday Night Football |
Starting Price | $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month | $82.99 per month | $7.99 per month | $8.99 per month | $84.99 per month | $101.98 per month | $6.99 per month | $349 | $12.99 per month | $8.99 per month | $11.99 per month; $88.99 per month | $82.99 per month | $7.99 per month |
Thursday Night Football | FOX and NFL Network | FOX and NFL Network | None | Prime Video | FOX and NFL Network | FOX | All Replays | None | FOX and NFL Network | FOX and NFL Network | None | ||
Sunday Football | CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) | CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) | None | None | CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) | CBS and FOX | All Replays | Out-of-market games | None | CBS | CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) | CBS and FOX; NFL RedZone (via Add-On) | None |
Sunday Night Football | NBC | NBC | NBC | NBC | NBC | All Replays | None | NBC | NBC | NBC | |||
Monday Night Football | ESPN | ESPN | None | ESPN | ESPN | All Replays | Simulcast of ESPN2's Monday Night Football Broadcast With the Mannings | ESPN | ESPN | None | |||
DVR Storage & Retention | Unlimited; 9 Months | Unlimited; 9 Months | None | None | Unlimited | 20 hours or Unlimited, nine months | None | None | None | None | Unlimited; 9 Months | Unlimited; 9 Months | None |
Concurrent Streams | 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) | 3 or Unlimited (at home) | 3 | 5 | 2 or 10 | 20 (at home) and 3 (away from home) | Unlimited | 2 or Unlimited (at home) | 3 | 3 | 2 or Unlimited (at home) and 3 (mobile devices) | 3 or Unlimited (at home) | 3 |
Buying Guide: The Best NFL Streaming Services for 2026
Is There a Streaming Service for NFL Games?
NFL games generally air during four time slots on different networks throughout the regular season:
- Thursday Night Football (Prime Video)
- Sunday afternoons (CBS and FOX)
- Sunday Night Football (NBC)
- Monday Night Football (ESPN)
Playoff games are split between CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC, channels that you can get with a live TV streaming service. In addition, US holidays affect the schedule, so there may be multiple games on a Thursday or a game on Saturday. Consult the schedule below for details on watching those games.
Under this most recent deal, the broadcast rights for Sunday afternoons, Sunday nights, and Monday nights remain the same. Super Bowl coverage rotates between ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, while NFL Network retains rights to some exclusive games. Both Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football games are subject to flex scheduling under this contract; in other words, the NFL can change which games air in these primetime slots based on what makes for more entertaining matchups.
However, the agreement also signals a dramatic shift in the NFL's support for streaming services. One major change is that Prime Video became the exclusive broadcaster of Thursday Night Football. Other changes also recently took effect. For example, NBC began streaming Sunday Night Football games on Peacock, much as CBS streams Sunday afternoon games on Paramount+. Here's hoping ESPN+ starts carrying NFL games that air on ABC or ESPN.
NFL Sunday Ticket is now on YouTube TV. Which NFL games you can watch on Sunday afternoons depends on where you live. These games are carried on local CBS and FOX affiliate channels and are subject to the same blackout rules as cable broadcasts. You will get other Sunday afternoon games in addition to those involving your local team, but how many and which ones are not always easy to determine. Check out 506Sports' regional NFL coverage maps each week for all the details.
The NFL matchups on Sunday nights and every other day of the week are national broadcasts, so everyone will see the same game regardless of where they live. Playoff games and the Super Bowl are also televised to national audiences. NFL fans don't have to navigate the mess of regional sports network (RSN) broadcast rights; these channels are available in most broadcast markets and on most live TV streaming services.
Even with the ongoing changes, the NFL's current streaming strategy remains suboptimal. It puts the burden on fans to pay for and manage multiple streaming services simultaneously. The NFL also doesn't seem to recognize that a location-based strategy is ineffectual at reaching modern audiences, especially those who don't live in their favorite team's home market.
Other streaming services are experimenting with one-off NFL events. Netflix streams Christmas Day games, for example.
Can You Stream NFL Commentary Shows?
Many of the major NFL commentary shows air on channels we already mentioned, but some do not. For example, Nickelodeon now offers a weekly, family-friendly NFL highlights show, NFL Slimetime. DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu, Philo, and YouTube TV all offer Nickelodeon. Eli and Peyton Manning will also call some Monday Night Football games on ESPN2 this season; this broadcast is simulcast on ESPN+. DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV's Orange Plan, and YouTube TV all have ESPN2 in their lineups.
The NFL RedZone channel is another option for people who want to watch scoring highlights on Sunday afternoons or keep up with fantasy football stats in real time. Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube TV offer add-ons with this channel.
How to Stream NFL Games
You can find the preseason schedule on the NFL's official site. For more on how to watch every big game, we will update the schedule throughout the NFL season.
How to Watch NFL via Cable and Over-the-Air Streaming
One of the easiest ways to ensure complete coverage of national and in-market games is to sign up for a cable plan. Note that if you go this route, you will likely pay more money than you would with any video streaming service. You'll also lose out on other conveniences, such as better-designed interfaces and support for more platforms. NFL Sunday Ticket is one of the few legitimate options for watching out-of-market regular-season games live. This service is available as a cable add-on or online for people who are unable to get DirecTV cable.
Streaming cable over the air via an antenna is another option for watching broadcast channels, such as CBS, FOX, and NBC, though your experience may vary depending on your location and the signal strength in your home. You also must buy and set up an antenna for this method. Sling TV is the only video streaming service on this list that integrates with over-the-air channels.
How Can I Stream NFL Games for Free?
The cheaper initial NFL+ tier has largely replaced the free viewing options previously available on the Yahoo Sports and NFL apps. If you want to watch football, you're going to spend some cash.
However, you can consider setting up a digital antenna to watch games on the major broadcast channels. These devices are relatively cheap and don't require a monthly subscription.
The Best Sports Streaming Services
If you are looking to watch sports other than the NFL, check out our roundup of the Best Sports Streaming Services. We also have roundups of the Best MLB Streaming Services, Best NBA Streaming Services, and Best NHL Streaming Services. We cover everything you need to know about RSNs in these roundups, since many MLB, NBA, and NHL games don't air as national broadcasts.