Trying to find what channel the NFL game is on can feel like a fourth-and-long situation. With games spread across a dozen channels and streaming services, just figuring out where to watch is half the battle.
The NFL now scatters games across local channels, premium TV networks, and a growing list of standalone streaming services. From Sunday afternoon games on CBS and FOX to Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video, keeping track of it all is a real challenge. And risking a blackout of your favorite team isn’t an option.
Our guide is the ultimate playbook for the 2025–2026 season. We outline every NFL channel and service you need, then give you our expert recommendations to build the best, most cost-effective TV package based on your viewing habits.
So lace up your shoulder pads and apply your eye black because football is here, and CableTV.com is taking you to the gridiron.
What channels have NFL games?
NFL action airs across multiple networks and services, including marquee NFL broadcasters like Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network.
The NFL regular season includes 272 games across 18 weeks, so you’ll need access to in-market and out-of-market viewing options to receive the most game coverage. Below is a list of every major NFL channel and service for watching live games in 2025.
Essential NFL channels:
- ABC
- Amazon Prime Video
- CBS
- ESPN
- FOX
- NBC
- NFL Network
Additional streaming services:
- ESPN+
- Netflix
- Peacock
- YouTube
- NFL Sunday Ticket
Pro tip: Paramount+ subscribers can stream live NFL on CBS games, while Peacock subscribers get access to live NFL on NBC games. Both services also have their fair share of football movies available for streaming.
Additional NFL simulcasts and alternate broadcasts air on channels like ESPN2 and Nickelodeon. You can also catch extra NFL coverage on NFL RedZone. The channel operates only on Sundays during the regular season, but it provides live whip-around coverage of every Sunday afternoon game regardless of regional blackouts.
2025–2026 NFL key events and channel listings
It’s never too early to plan your next NFL watch party. Head over to our NFL Schedule This Week guide to view upcoming NFL matchups, including kickoff times and channel listings.
We’ve also outlined the most significant NFL events to keep an eye on in the table below.
| Event | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | July 31, 2025 | NBC, Peacock |
| NFL Kickoff | Sept. 4, 2025 | NBC, Peacock |
| NFL Playoffs | Jan. 10, 2026 | CBS, ESPN/ABC, FOX, NBC, Prime Video |
| NFL Pro Bowl Games | TBA | ABC, ESPN |
| Super Bowl LIX | Feb. 8, 2026 | NBC, Telemundo, Peacock |
Data effective as of post date.
NFL broadcast breakdown
Where you can watch an NFL game on TV depends entirely on when it is and who has the broadcast rights. A Sunday afternoon game in your local market will most often have a different TV home than a primetime game on Monday night or an early morning game from London.
To help you find your game, here’s a breakdown of each unique broadcast situation. You can also expand the menu below to see How To Watch guides for all 32 NFL teams.
In-market games: CBS and FOX
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The foundation of every NFL Sunday is the in-market games shown on your local CBS or FOX affiliates. These are regional matchups that kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and in the late afternoon at 4:05 p.m. or 4:25 p.m. ET.
Because many NFL games happen at once on Sunday afternoons, you’ll be able to see only the ones selected for your location. Several factors determine the in-market games for your area. But usually, you’ll get every game featuring your nearest team and any games with playoff implications for that club.
CBS and FOX are easily accessible through most TV providers. But if you live within range of your local CBS and FOX affiliates, you can catch every in-market NFL game with a digital antenna.
Jump down to our Watch for Free section to learn more about using an antenna to catch NFL games.
Out-of-market games: NFL Sunday Ticket
Data effective as of post date. Plus $82.99/mo. recurring for YouTube TV. Compatible device and internet connection required. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
NFL Sunday Ticket is the essential package for fans who follow a non-local team or simply want to watch the most Sunday afternoon games. As of 2023, the out-of-market package is available as an add-on through YouTube TV and as a standalone subscription on YouTube Primetime Channels.
For most, subscribing through YouTube TV is the best option. Combining Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV’s base plan gives you almost every game this season, all in one interface. You would only miss the exclusive games on Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, Netflix, and Peacock.
While NFL Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV is ideal for any football superfan, its cost is as daunting as playing a one-on-one tackling drill against Ray Lewis. The good news is that, unlike its predecessor on DIRECTV, there are no contracts or equipment requirements. There are also other ways to get NFL Sunday Ticket without YouTube TV.
If Sunday Ticket’s price is too steep, your best alternative for out-of-market action is NFL RedZone. The premium channel offers live whip-around coverage of every Sunday afternoon game for a fraction of the cost.
Thursday Night Football
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Amazon Prime Video is home to Thursday Night Football, with the streaming service hosting 16 matchups during the 2025 regular season. Not every Thursday night game streams on Prime Video—games in Weeks 1 and 13 air on NBC. But Prime Video will continue with its NFL Black Friday game this season and carry one game in the NFL Wild Card Round.
If you’re interested in Prime Video for only its NFL games, we recommend checking out the full Thursday Night Football schedule. That’ll help you determine when your favorite teams are playing and whether you need Prime Video for the entire season.
Sunday Night Football
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Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark are back for Sunday Night Football, airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The 2025 NFL season features 18 Sunday Night Football games and a Peacock-exclusive match in Week 17. Two other matchups round out NBC’s regular-season coverage: its annual NFL Kickoff game in Week 1 and a Thanksgiving night fixture in Week 13.
You can watch Sunday Night Football on NBC through most TV providers. But you can also pick up the channel with an antenna if you live near an NBC affiliate.
Another cheap option for watching Sunday Night Football is Peacock. The streaming service’s premium plans start at $7.99 a month and give you complete access to every Sunday Night Football game and NBC playoff match.
Monday Night Football
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ESPN presents 23 Monday Night Football games during the 2025 NFL season, including some games airing solely on ABC. Key matchups included the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Detroit Lions in Week 7 and the Philadelphia Eagles at the Green Bay Packers in Week 10.
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman occupy the broadcast booth for Monday Night Football. But don’t worry; you can still catch Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli on ESPN2 and ESPN+. The Manning brothers will host 12 alternate telecasts (or Manningcasts) during the 2025 campaign, and you can expect many exciting guests to show up.
ESPN is available in a variety of ways, with Sling TV’s Orange plan being the cheapest live TV plan to offer the channel. But you don’t need a TV plan to watch every Monday Night Football game because of those select games on ABC that you can access with an antenna.
NFL International Series
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The 2025 NFL International Series features a whopping seven games played in other countries. YouTube will stream the first matchup for free, while NFL Network will carry the other six.
This season, the NFL will host games in five different countries, including two new locations. The global action kicks off in São Paulo, Brazil, followed by a matchup in Dublin, Ireland. The series then continues with three games in London, a contest in Berlin, Germany, and a final game in Madrid, Spain.
To watch the six games broadcast on NFL Network, you can find the channel in most cable and live TV streaming packages. But an NFL+ subscription (formerly NFL Game Pass) also gives you live access to NFL Network on all your devices for as low as $6.99 a month.
Best TV plans for watching NFL games
Knowing which channels have NFL games is half the battle; choosing the right TV provider is the other. To help you find the best service for your NFL needs, we’ve outlined our top recommendations for the 2025 season below.
For a more detailed comparison, be sure to check out our complete guide to watching the NFL without cable.
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.)
YouTube TV is our top recommendation for fans who want the most complete, all-in-one NFL viewing experience. Its base plan includes the essential local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) and core national networks (ESPN and NFL Network) you need for almost every in-market and primetime game. You’ll only miss out on primetime games exclusive to other streamers like Prime Video and Netflix.
What truly makes YouTube TV the ultimate choice for gridiron fans is its exclusive features. It’s the only live TV service where you can seamlessly bundle an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to watch every out-of-market game. Plus, its Multiview capabilities let you watch up to four games simultaneously, making it perfect for busy NFL Sundays.
NFL+ ($6.99–$14.99/mo.)
If your main goal is to watch NFL games on the go or for the lowest possible price, NFL+ is an excellent choice. For a low monthly fee, its standard plan gives you live access to local and primetime games on your phone or tablet. The plan also includes a 24/7 live stream of NFL Network and all out-of-market preseason games, both of which you can watch on any device that supports the NFL app.
The real value for many fans comes with NFL+ Premium. This higher-tier plan adds full access to NFL RedZone (which you can watch on your TV) and on-demand, full-game replays after they air. Just remember that neither NFL+ subscription includes live out-of-market Sunday games, which is the key difference between the service and NFL Sunday Ticket.
How to watch NFL games for free
The simplest and most reliable way to watch NFL games for free is by connecting an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to your TV. A one-time antenna purchase lets you watch all Sunday afternoon games on your local CBS and FOX stations, Sunday Night Football on NBC, and select Monday Night Football games on ABC. This coverage also includes the Super Bowl and most playoff fixtures.
An antenna is a small investment for seasons of free football. Plus, you’ll get other live sports coverage from leagues like the NBA, NHL, and MLB.
- Check for channels: Before you buy an antenna, use the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator to see which channels are available in your area.
- Our top pick: We recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 for its impressive 60-mile range and crystal-clear HD picture quality. But be aware that placement in your home and your surrounding landscape can impact reception.
Unfortunately, if an antenna doesn’t work for your location, there’s no easy way to watch live NFL games for free online. But you can always try signing up for a free streaming trial of a live TV service. Our Best Streaming Services for Sports page closely examines the top streaming providers dedicated to sports.
How to watch NFL games FAQ
Can I watch every NFL game on one service?
No, due to multiple TV rights deals, you’ll need a combination of services to watch every NFL game. The most complete setup requires a primary TV provider (like YouTube TV) for local and primetime games. You’ll also need separate subscriptions to services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and NFL Sunday Ticket, depending on the games you want to see.
Does NFL+ have all live NFL games?
No, NFL+ doesn’t carry all live NFL games. Its primary purpose is to let you watch live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet. While its premium plan includes NFL RedZone and full game replays, you’ll still miss out on live out-of-market games.
What’s the difference between in-market and out-of-market NFL games?
In-market NFL games are the Sunday matchups shown on your local CBS and FOX channels in the early (1:00 p.m. ET) and late (4:05 or 4:25 p.m. ET) afternoon slots. All other Sunday afternoon games are considered out of market and require an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to watch live. You can visit 506sports.com during the regular season to see which games will air in your area.
How can I watch the NFL in Spanish?
You can watch select Spanish-language NFL broadcasts on ESPN Deportes, Fox Deportes, Telemundo, and UNIVERSO. Some NFL channels also offer Spanish-language audio through the secondary audio programming (SAP) feature included through most cable and satellite TV providers.
Can I watch NFL games internationally?
Yes, you can watch NFL games internationally, and it’s often easier than watching in the U.S. In most countries, NFL Game Pass International is available through the streaming service DAZN for live and on-demand access to every game. DAZN also offers a short-term NFL Travel Pass subscription for U.S. residents traveling abroad.
Why you should trust us
Our analysis for this guide began with the NFL’s landmark 11-year media rights deal, giving us foundational knowledge of who carries each game. We then tracked additional broadcasting developments to ensure our advice is fully up-to-date for the 2025–2026 season. That includes NFL Sunday Ticket’s move to YouTube and Netflix’s Christmas Day games.
What truly sets our guide apart is the year-round research and testing that goes into our dedicated watch guides for all 32 NFL teams. That deep, market-by-market expertise gives us a unique perspective on regional blackouts and provider availability. It’s how we help fans in every market build the most complete and cost-effective TV plan to follow their team.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about CableTV.com’s methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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