The National Football League (NFL) season is here, bringing with it the excitement of roaring crowds, spectacular plays, and nail-biting finishes. For fans eager to catch every moment, navigating the viewing landscape can feel like deciphering a complex playbook. With games broadcast across a variety of platforms, from traditional television networks to cutting-edge streaming services, knowing exactly how to tune in to your favorite teams is crucial.
This comprehensive guide breaks down all the essential information you need to know about How To Watch Nfl Games throughout the 2024-2025 season. We’ve analyzed the broadcast schedules, explored various streaming options, and compiled everything to ensure you don’t miss a single snap.
With 32 teams battling it out over 17 regular-season games each, plus the high-stakes Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship rounds, culminating in the Super Bowl, the 2024-2025 NFL season promises nearly 300 games of thrilling football action. These games are broadcast across a wide spectrum of channels, including local sports networks, national television, and a growing number of streaming platforms – some of which even offer exclusive NFL content.
The preseason action wrapped up in August, setting the stage for the regular season kickoff on Thursday, September 5th. The opening game saw the Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl champions, triumph over the Baltimore Ravens with a 27-20 victory on their home field. The regular season continues until January 5th, 2025, followed by the highly anticipated playoffs.
Understanding your viewing options is key to enjoying the NFL season to its fullest. To simplify things, we’ve created a detailed breakdown of US cable networks and live streaming services, as well as options for international viewers. Consider this your go-to resource for watching NFL games – we’ll be updating it regularly throughout the season to keep you informed.
Comprehensive Guide to Watching NFL Games on Every Major Platform
Below is a detailed chart outlining the networks and streaming services that will broadcast NFL games. This information pertains to local in-market and national broadcasts during the regular season. Please note that out-of-market games are not accessible through these services unless explicitly stated.
| Platform | AFC Afternoon Games (CBS) | NFC Afternoon Games (Fox) | Sunday Night Football (NBC) | Monday Night Football (ESPN) | Thursday Night Football | NFL Network Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Sling TV Orange + Blue | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| FuboTV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Paramount Plus | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Peacock Premium | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| NFL+ (mobile only) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Stream NFL Games Without Cable
For cord-cutters and those seeking more flexible viewing options, streaming services offer a plethora of ways to watch NFL games without a traditional cable subscription. Let’s explore the top streaming platforms and what they offer for NFL fans. We’ll break down how to watch Thursday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and more, highlighting both comprehensive and budget-friendly subscriptions.
Sling TV: A Customizable and Affordable Option
Sling TV stands out for its customizable plans, allowing viewers to select channel packages that align with their interests and budget. This makes it a particularly attractive option for those seeking to watch NFL games without paying for a bundle of channels they may not need. Sling offers three main plans: Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue. New subscribers often benefit from substantial discounts in their first month, further enhancing its affordability.
For NFL enthusiasts, the Sling Blue plan includes NFL Network, and local Fox and NBC channels in select markets. The Sling Orange plan features ESPN, essential for Monday Night Football. Notably, CBS is not included in Sling packages. For the most comprehensive NFL coverage on Sling, the Sling Orange + Blue plan, priced at $61 per month, is recommended. This option combines the channels from both Orange and Blue plans, maximizing your access to NFL action. For fans wanting even more, the Sling Blue Sports Extra add-on for $11 per month includes NFL RedZone, offering fast-paced highlights and every touchdown from Sunday afternoon games. Sling frequently offers promotions, such as 50% off the first month, making it even more budget-friendly for new users.
What you get with Sling TV for NFL:
- Local Fox games (in select markets)
- Sunday Night Football on NBC (in select markets)
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- NFL Network games
What Sling TV doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Local CBS games
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- Out-of-market games (without NFL Sunday Ticket, which is not directly offered by Sling)
A person watching NFL game on Sling TV via television. Sling TV provides flexible and affordable options to stream live sports.
FuboTV: The Sports-Centric Streaming Powerhouse
FuboTV is specifically designed for sports enthusiasts, boasting an extensive channel lineup that includes a wide range of regional and international sports leagues. This focus on sports sets it apart from many general entertainment streaming services. While FuboTV offers various add-on packages to expand its programming, its base plan already provides a robust selection of channels for NFL viewing.
Starting at $80 per month for the Pro plan, FuboTV matches Hulu + Live TV in terms of NFL game selection and surpasses Sling TV with more comprehensive coverage. It includes all the major network and cable channels needed to watch local and primetime NFL games: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Similar to other services, NFL RedZone is available as part of the Sports Plus add-on for an additional $11 monthly. FuboTV often attracts new customers with a one-week free trial for its base plans, allowing potential subscribers to experience the service before committing.
What you get with FuboTV for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Local CBS games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- NFL Network games
What FuboTV doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- Out-of-market games (without NFL Sunday Ticket or similar add-on)
Hulu + Live TV: Entertainment and Sports in One Package
Hulu + Live TV delivers a comprehensive entertainment experience, combining over 90 live channels with Hulu’s extensive on-demand library, and access to Disney+ and ESPN+. While adding live TV significantly increases the cost compared to basic Hulu plans, it provides a flexible, month-to-month contract that can be cancelled at any time. As a live TV streaming service, Hulu + Live TV is considered a top-tier option, offering a strong balance of content and features.
For $77 per month, Hulu + Live TV provides almost everything needed to stream NFL games. It offers access to local NFL games on CBS, Fox, and NBC (subject to local blackouts), along with ESPN and NFL Network. A significant added value is the inclusion of Disney+ and ESPN+ subscriptions, as well as Hulu’s on-demand content, all at no extra cost. For dedicated NFL fans, the Sports add-on package unlocks NFL RedZone for an additional $10 per month, enhancing the Sunday afternoon viewing experience.
What you get with Hulu + Live TV for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Local CBS games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- NFL Network games
What Hulu + Live TV doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- Out-of-market games (without NFL Sunday Ticket or similar add-on)
YouTube TV: Seamless Live TV Streaming with NFL Sunday Ticket Option
While Hulu + Live TV offers on-demand perks, YouTube TV excels as a live TV streaming service focused on delivering a cable-like experience over the internet. For a limited time, new subscribers can take advantage of a promotional offer, receiving their first three months for a reduced price of $58 per month.
YouTube TV, priced at $73 per month, provides access to local and primetime NFL games on major networks. New subscribers can benefit from a special introductory offer, getting their first four months for $53 per month after a free trial, resulting in significant savings. Similar to other services, YouTube TV offers NFL RedZone through its Sports Plus package, available for an additional $11 per month.
A key differentiator for YouTube TV is its offering of NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on, starting from the 2023 NFL season. This package enables viewers to watch every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game, significantly expanding viewing options for dedicated NFL fans. NFL Sunday Ticket can be purchased as a standalone service for $119.75/month for four months (or $479 annually), but bundling it with a YouTube TV subscription can offer cost savings.
What you get with YouTube TV for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Local CBS games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- NFL Network games
What YouTube TV doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- Out-of-market games*
*Out-of-market games are available with the separate NFL Sunday Ticket package.
A person watching NFL game on Youtube TV via television. Youtube TV is a popular choice for streaming live NFL games and offers NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market games.
Peacock: Your Home for Sunday Night Football and Exclusive Games
Peacock serves as the dedicated streaming platform for NBCUniversal content, including hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select live sports, most notably Sunday Night Football. The service also features a growing library of original programming exclusive to Peacock.
Peacock will stream every NFL game broadcast on NBC throughout the 2024 season, including the entire Sunday Night Football schedule and the Thursday night kickoff game on September 5th. Furthermore, Peacock holds exclusive streaming rights to the NFL’s inaugural “First Friday” game on September 6th. In the previous season, Peacock also streamed a playoff game, indicating its growing role in NFL broadcasting. Peacock subscriptions start at $8 per month for ad-supported viewing and $14 per month for ad-free streaming (though ad-free typically applies primarily to on-demand content).
What you get with Peacock for NFL:
- Full Sunday Night Football schedule
- Exclusive NFL First Friday game on September 6, 2024
What Peacock doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Local CBS games
- Local Fox games
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- NFL Network games
- Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games
Paramount+: Your Gateway to CBS Games and More
Paramount+ is an excellent choice for viewers interested in streaming CBS TV shows, live local NFL games on CBS, and a wide array of content from networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. Upgrading to the premium tier unlocks ad-free on-demand streaming and access to Showtime content, adding further value to the subscription.
For fans primarily focused on watching CBS-broadcasted NFL games, a Paramount+ subscription may be all that’s needed. The service streams live CBS television, including local NFL games, alongside a growing library of on-demand series and exclusive Paramount+ originals.
Paramount+ Essential, the ad-supported plan, is priced at $8 per month, while the Premium plan, offering ad-free on-demand streaming and Showtime, is $13 per month. New users can test the service with a one-week free trial. Currently, significant savings are available on annual Paramount+ plans. It’s important to note that even with the ad-free plan, live broadcasts, including NFL games, will still contain commercials.
What you get with Paramount+ for NFL:
- Local CBS games
What Paramount+ doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- NFL Network games
- Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games
Prime Video: The Exclusive Home of Thursday Night Football
Amazon Prime Video has established itself as a strong streaming service, offering a competitive content library that extends far beyond its role as a perk of Amazon Prime membership. A standalone Prime Video subscription is also available for $9 per month.
Check price at Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video is now the exclusive streaming home of Thursday Night Football, with regular-season games commencing on September 12th. Thursday Night Football has expanded to 16 games this season. The broadcast team features Al Michaels, a former voice of Sunday Night Football, alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit, and sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung. Furthermore, Prime Video will exclusively stream a Wild Card playoff game in January 2025, solidifying its position in NFL broadcasting.
An Amazon Prime Video standalone membership costs $9 per month, and it is also included with an Amazon Prime subscription, priced at $139 annually or $15 monthly.
What you get with Prime Video for NFL:
- Thursday Night Football games
- Exclusive Wild Card playoff game in January 2025
What Prime Video doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Local CBS games
- Local Fox games
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- Sunday Night Football games on NBC
- NFL Network games
- Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games
NFL+: Mobile Streaming for Fans on the Go
NFL+ is designed for fans who primarily watch games on their phones or tablets. This mobile-first service allows subscribers to stream live local and primetime games, as well as on-demand content from NFL Films and NFL Network.
For viewers who prefer to stream NFL games on their mobile devices, NFL+ is the ideal option. It provides live streams of local and primetime broadcast games (both regular season and postseason), NFL Network games, and out-of-market preseason games, directly to your phone or tablet. Location services must be enabled on your device to access local games. NFL+ also includes a substantial library of documentaries and shows from NFL Films and NFL Network, accessible within the NFL app.
NFL+ Premium, priced at $15 per month or $100 per year, offers additional features, including game replays after they air and access to game film typically used by coaches and analysts. Crucially, NFL+ Premium also includes NFL RedZone, making it a compelling option for dedicated fans who want comprehensive Sunday afternoon coverage on their mobile devices.
What you get with NFL+ for NFL:
- Local Fox games (mobile devices only)
- Local CBS games (mobile devices only)
- Sunday Night Football on NBC (mobile devices only)
- Monday Night Football on ESPN (mobile devices only)
- Thursday Night Football games (mobile devices only)
- NFL Network games (mobile devices only)
What NFL+ doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Out-of-market regular season games (without NFL RedZone in Premium plan)
- Viewing on TVs or computers (primarily mobile-focused)
ESPN+: Select Monday Night Football Games and Playoff Action
ESPN+ is a sports-centric streaming service offering a wide range of live sports content, including MLB, NHL, NFL, soccer, golf, and UFC events. Subscriptions are available for $12 monthly or at a discounted annual rate, saving approximately $20 per year. Bundling ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ offers even greater value for subscribers interested in a broader entertainment package.
While ESPN+ doesn’t stream NFL games every week, it does feature select games throughout the season. Notably, ESPN+ will live stream divisional round playoff games once the regular season concludes, offering access to high-stakes postseason action. ESPN+ costs $11 per month or $110 annually and can be bundled with Disney+ and Hulu for a more comprehensive entertainment offering.
Select Monday Night Football games airing on ESPN+ in 2024 include: Jets vs. 49ers (September 8), Commanders vs. Bengals (September 23), Seahawks vs. Lions (September 30), Ravens vs. Buccaneers (October 21), Chargers vs. Cardinals (October 21), Giants vs. Steelers (October 28), Bengals vs. Cowboys (December 9), Bears vs. Vikings (December 16), and Lions vs. 49ers (December 30).
What you get with ESPN+ for NFL:
- Select ESPN and/or ABC Monday Night Football games
- Divisional playoff game
What ESPN+ doesn’t offer for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Local CBS games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
- Most Monday Night Football games (only select games are on ESPN+)
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- NFL Network games
DAZN: NFL Game Pass International for Global Fans
DAZN is the international home of NFL Game Pass, providing the only service offering live and on-demand access to every NFL game in supported countries outside of the United States and China.
Starting in 2023 and continuing through the 2024 season, NFL fans outside the US and China can watch every game, including playoffs, using NFL Game Pass International on DAZN. DAZN is the exclusive provider of this comprehensive NFL coverage for international viewers. Pricing varies by region. For instance, in the United Kingdom, NFL Game Pass International on DAZN is available for £15.99/month on a 12-month contract or £14.99/week without commitment. Games can be watched live and on-demand. Viewers in the UK may experience a 24-hour delay for up to two Sunday games per week. Canadian viewers can access all NFL action through their standard DAZN subscription, eliminating the need for Game Pass.
NFL Game Pass International via DAZN can be accessed through the DAZN app on a wide range of devices, including Apple, Android, and Amazon mobile devices; Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV devices; Smart TVs from Sony, LG, Panasonic, and Roku; and gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
Antennas: Free Local Games and Sunday Night Football
For a one-time cost, a digital antenna offers a straightforward and economical way to watch local NFL games and Sunday Night Football. A quality antenna, such as the Channel Master Flatenna, can be purchased for around $29, providing access to over-the-air broadcasts in your area. For more antenna recommendations, consult guides to the best digital antennas.
Using an antenna allows you to watch regional games broadcast in your local market, including games on CBS, Fox, and NBC. You’ll also receive the weekly Sunday Night Football game airing on NBC. As a one-time purchase, an antenna is a cost-effective solution for fans primarily interested in watching their local team and nationally broadcast Sunday night games.
What you get with an Antenna for NFL:
- Local Fox games
- Local CBS games
- Sunday Night Football on NBC
What you don’t get with an Antenna for NFL:
- Out-of-market games
- Monday Night Football on ESPN
- Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video
- NFL Network games
Blackouts, Out-of-Market Games, and VPNs
Even with comprehensive streaming packages, certain restrictions can prevent you from watching specific games. The most common limitation is the availability of out-of-market games. Many standard streaming services restrict game selection to those typically broadcast locally on network television in your city.
Conversely, packages like NFL Sunday Ticket are designed to provide out-of-market games, requiring viewers to rely on traditional broadcast options for local games. Networks use various factors to determine broadcast markets for games.
Blackouts are a separate issue. A blackout occurs when local affiliate stations decline to broadcast a game, typically due to a failure to meet a ticket sales threshold in the local market. This practice aims to encourage game attendance. Blackouts can also result from contractual disputes or other unusual circumstances.
Traveling can also complicate watching your favorite teams, even with multiple streaming subscriptions. This is where VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) become valuable, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions.
How to Watch NFL Games for Free
For viewers seeking to watch NFL games without cable, streaming services, or even an antenna, there are limited options for watching free games each week. These may include occasional games broadcast on network television that can be accessed for free over-the-air with an antenna or potentially through limited free trials offered by some streaming services. However, consistent, free access to NFL games is generally not available.
How to Watch NFL Games From Anywhere with a VPN
A person using a VPN on a laptop to access geographically restricted content. VPNs can help access NFL games when traveling or facing blackout restrictions.
If you are traveling outside your home region or need to access your subscriptions from different locations, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a useful tool. A VPN is software that changes your device’s apparent location by routing your internet connection through a server in a location of your choice. It also encrypts your connection for enhanced security. For example, if content is available on a UK-based website but you are outside the UK, connecting to a UK server via a VPN can often grant you access.
ExpressVPN is a highly recommended VPN service, consistently ranking among the best VPNs tested. It offers robust performance, reliable security, and extensive global server locations, making it ideal for streaming. ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free. Currently, ExpressVPN is offering a significant discount on annual subscriptions, along with extra months free, providing substantial value. For more details, see the ExpressVPN review and explore their current offer by clicking the link below.
Staff Pick
ExpressVPN is a top VPN choice, known for its consistent speed, strong security, and global streaming capabilities. It excels in performance and offers advanced features. Take advantage of current discounts and get extra months free.
Steps to Watch NFL Games with a VPN:
- Sign up for a reputable VPN service like ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN application on your viewing device.
- Launch the VPN and connect to a server in your desired location.
- Access your chosen streaming service or website for NFL games.
- If subscribing to a new service, you might need a local postal/zip code and payment method for that region. Free streaming sites may also require account creation.
- Start watching the game and enjoy unrestricted access.
Disclaimer: VPN usage may be restricted or illegal in some countries. Using VPNs to bypass region-locked content might violate terms of service of certain streaming platforms. This guide does not endorse or condone illegal VPN use.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Brendan Griffiths
Senior Commerce Director
