How To Watch the First Responder Bowl
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa, our resident TV expert with over eight years of covering sports.
Get ready for the 2025 First Responder Bowl
The Servpro First Responder Bowl is my favorite cure for the post-Christmas blues. Once the holiday chaos settles, this game welcomes us back to the couch on Boxing Day for a showdown in Dallas. I love that it takes place at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium rather than an unnecessarily large NFL venue. The intimate setting puts fans right on top of the action, creating a noisy, high-energy broadcast you don’t get elsewhere.
The atmosphere is unique, thanks to the game’s dedication to police, fire, and EMS personnel. You’ll see the stands packed this year with uniformed heroes, providing a cool backdrop for an engaging gridiron matchup. These games have a reputation for turning into offensive shootouts, so I rarely bet the under when tuning in to this one.
If you’re looking to catch what is often the most exciting nightcap of the holiday bowl season, you have plenty of viewing options. I’ve broken down exactly how to watch the First Responder Bowl below, including the channel specifics and the streaming services I recommend for the clearest picture.
What channel shows the First Responder Bowl?
You can watch the 2025 Servpro First Responder Bowl live on ESPN. Coverage begins on Friday, December 26, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m. ET). If you prefer a Spanish-language broadcast, you can flip over to ESPN Deportes.
Because ESPN is the primary broadcaster, you also have the flexibility to stream the game. The event will be available on the ESPN app for those with an eligible TV provider login or ESPN Unlimited subscription.
Best TV plans for watching the First Responder Bowl
Because this game is locked behind the ESPN paywall, your trusty digital antenna won’t save you here. You need a paid TV subscription to watch the First Responder Bowl.
If you want a comprehensive setup that covers this bowl and practically every other postseason snap, I recommend Hulu + Live TV. It includes all ESPN channels, local networks for other big games, and bundles in Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost. It’s the logical choice for a superfan who wants to seamlessly flip from live football to The Bear without managing multiple bills.
For fans operating on a tighter holiday budget, Sling TV is my go-to alternative—specifically the Sling Orange plan. It’s significantly cheaper than the other major live TV streamers but still delivers the essential ESPN channels. You sacrifice local channels like ABC or FOX (unless you have an antenna), but for a cable-exclusive game like this, Sling Orange is the most straightforward and cost-effective play.
How to watch the First Responder Bowl FAQ
How can I watch the First Responder Bowl for free?
You can watch the First Responder Bowl for free by signing up for a trial with a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV. Both carry ESPN and other marquee sports channels.
Can I stream the First Responder Bowl on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can stream the game on the ESPN app by signing in with an eligible TV provider or by subscribing to ESPN Unlimited.
Where is the First Responder Bowl played?
The First Responder Bowl takes place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus in Dallas, Texas.
What conferences play in the First Responder Bowl?
The game features a primary tie-in with the American Athletic Conference (AAC), typically matching them against teams from the Big 12, ACC, or, occasionally, the Sun Belt or C-USA.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team researched the First Responder Bowl’s official broadcast rights and cross-referenced them with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. We then selected our viewing recommendations based on our hands-on testing, identifying the most cost-effective and straightforward ways for you to watch the game.
To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
