How to Watch the San Francisco 49ers
Will the 49ers contend for the NFC West title?
The Niners finished third in the NFC West in 2025. That sounds bad, but it’s not. A 12–5 record in a four-team division that includes the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams is a true accomplishment. So get ready to watch the 49ers this season, because they aren’t showing many signs of slowing down.
San Francisco added some depth at key positions in the offseason, including veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. If the rest of the roster can stay relatively healthy, the 49ers could increase their win total from last year.
In this guide, I’ve compiled all the information you need to watch the 49ers in 2026-2027. Keep reading to find out what channels will air 49ers games, what TV and streaming plans you’ll need, and how to watch the team for free.
What channel shows San Francisco 49ers games?
49ers games will mostly air on regional CBS and FOX channels on Sundays. Outside of that, fans will want access to a couple of other local and national networks, as well as some streaming channels.
The 49ers have one of the three Week 17 exclusives on NBC and Peacock Premium this season. They also open the season with the first-ever NFL game in Australia, which will be streamed on Netflix. Another game to watch is the matchup in Mexico City against the Minnesota Vikings.
| Channel | Starting price | Coverage | Available on |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | Varies | Regional Sunday afternoon games | Over-the-air antenna, select TV providers, Paramount+ |
| FOX | Varies | Regional Sunday afternoon games | Over-the-air antenna, select TV providers, FOX One |
| NBC | Varies | Sunday Night Football games | Over-the-air antenna, select TV providers, Peacock Premium |
| ESPN / ABC | Varies | Monday Night Football games | Select TV providers, ESPN Unlimited |
| Amazon Prime Video | $8.99–$17.98/mo. | Thursday Night Football games | Amazon Prime Video app |
| Netflix | $8.99–$26.99/mo. | Holiday marquee games | Netflix app |
| Peacock Premium | $10.99–$16.99/mo. | Week 17 exclusive game & NBC simulcasts | Peacock app |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | $276.00–$522.00/yr. | Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games | YouTube TV, YouTube Primetime Channels |
Best TV plans for watching the San Francisco 49ers
Making sense of the NFL’s broadcast landscape can be a headache, as no single provider carries all the necessary networks and streaming platforms. To catch every 49ers game this year, you’ll need to combine a few different services.
As a primer, YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video are absolutely essential for any 49ers fan in 2026. You’ll also need access to Netflix for their historic Week 1 trip to Australia.
I broke down exactly why these are my top picks below.
Best Overall
This live TV service includes every national channel you’ll need to watch the 49ers, except for any standalone streamers. Plus, it allows you to easily add on NFL Sunday Ticket.
Exclusive Games
Prime Video is the home of Thursday Night Football exclusives, including the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Exclusive Games
You’ll need a Netflix subscription to kick off the season. The streaming giant holds the broadcast rights to the 49ers’ Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you don’t live in a region that shows 49ers games locally, NFL Sunday Ticket is the service you’ll need. It’ll also give you access to out-of-market games for most of the NFL.
Watch the 49ers with a free trial
With the NFL having so many broadcast partners, it’s perfectly understandable if you aren’t ready to stake your claim on a bunch of new subscriptions just yet. Luckily, my research unearthed a few key TV plans you can test using free trials. Check out the table below for details.
| Packages | Price | CBS | FOX | NBC | ESPN | ABC | NFL Network | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| Hulu + Live TV | Three days free, then $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for Hulu |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Get tickets to see the 49ers!
Buy San Francisco 49ers tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on 49ers games and more.
How to watch the San Francisco 49ers FAQ
What channels show 49ers preseason games?
All three 49ers preseason games will air on KPIX-TV 5, the local CBS affiliate in the Bay Area.
Can I stream 49ers games without cable?
Yes, you can stream select 49ers games on standalone services like FOX One, Peacock Premium, Prime Video, and Netflix. You can also use a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV or YouTube TV to catch games on traditional channels.
Can I watch the San Francisco 49ers for free?
Yes, games broadcast on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC can be watched for free with an over-the-air antenna. Additionally, some live TV streaming services offer free trials that you can take advantage of over a busy NFL weekend.
How can I listen to the 49ers on the radio?
Niners fans can tune in to KSFO 810 AM and KSAN 107.7 FM for game coverage on the radio.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, analyzed the 2026 San Francisco 49ers schedule and its specific channel designations. He then evaluated top TV and streaming providers based on their network lineups. Finally, Alex recommended services factoring in price, game count, and broader NFL coverage to help every 49ers fan watch within their budget.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
