Who said having “a case of the Mondays” had to be a bad thing?
Monday Night Football for the 2026–2027 NFL season begins September 14. Fans will enjoy a smorgasbord of scintillating matchups, with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters providing expert analysis and sideline reporting.
Most MNF matchups air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, but you can also catch some games on ABC.
With so many ESPN channels involved with Monday Night Football, it’s easy to lose track of where to tune in. But we’re here to break it down with our complete Monday Night Football schedule and TV provider recommendations.
What channel shows Monday Night Football?
Most Monday Night Football games air on ESPN, except for some exclusive matchups that are on ABC. If you want Spanish-language coverage, you’ll need ESPN Deportes to catch every game en Español.
ESPN also produces Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli (aka the “ManningCast”), which returns for its sixth season in 2026. Hosted by the Manning brothers, the alternate broadcast airs on ESPN2 this season during select MNF matchups. It’s literally the two former quarterbacks sitting on their couches watching football.
Want more NFL TV coverage? Visit our How To Watch the NFL page for a complete viewing guide of the 2026 NFL season, including how to watch Thursday Night Football and Sunday Night Football games.
2026–2027 Monday Night Football TV schedule
During the 2026 NFL season, ESPN platforms will present 17 regular-season games. The network will also carry two playoff matches and the Pro Bowl Games.
Also, we’ll add the full “ManningCast” schedule when it’s released.
| Week | Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels | "ManningCast" channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | Monday, Sept. 14 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 2 | New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams | Monday, Sept. 21 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 3 | Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders | Monday, Sept. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 4 | Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints | Monday, Oct. 5 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 5 | Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams | Monday, Oct. 12 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 6 | Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers | Monday, Oct. 19 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 7 | Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles | Monday, Oct. 26 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 8 | Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks | Monday, Nov. 2 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 9 | Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings | Monday, Nov. 9 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 10 | Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens | Monday, Nov. 16 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 11 | Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders | Monday, Nov. 23 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 12 | Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Monday, Nov. 30 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 13 | Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | Monday, Dec. 7 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars | Monday, Dec. 14 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 15 | New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs | Monday, Dec. 21 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | — |
| Week 16 | New York Giants at Detroit Lions | Monday, Dec. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Week 17 | Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers | Monday, Dec. 29 | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN | — |
Data effective as of post date. Games in Week 12 through Week 17 are subject to flexible scheduling.
Best TV plans for watching Monday Night Football
Our favorite way to watch Monday Night Football is through Hulu + Live TV, starting at $82.99 per month. The live TV streaming service comes with ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, so you’ll never miss an MNF matchup. Subscribers also get Disney+ and ESPN Select included at no extra cost, meaning you’ll tons of additional sports exclusives without paying for a separate service. You can also tack on Hulu’s Español Add-on for $4.99 per month to get ESPN Deportes.
ESPN Unlimited offers a more affordable way to watch Monday Night Football. At $29.99 per month, the service carries every ESPN-owned channel. ABC broadcasts are also available on the platform.
If you want an even cheaper option for watching every Monday Night Football game, you can sign up for NFL+ for as low as $6.99/mo. Formally known as NFL Game Pass, NFL+ allows you to stream every local and primetime NFL game live on your phone or tablet. Sure, you’ll be stuck watching live games on a small screen. But it’s better than nothing.
Which TV providers carry Monday Night Football?
Most TV providers carry ESPN and ESPN2, but you may need a higher-tier plan or separate add-on to get ESPN Deportes. Our table below provides a complete snapshot of ESPN channel availability across some of the most popular TV services.
| Provider | Price | ESPN | ESPN2 | ESPN Deportes† | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $33.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
†May require Spanish-language plan or separate add-on.
How to watch Monday Night Football for free
The cheapest way to watch every Monday Night Football game is with NFL+ for $6.99 a month. But you can still catch some games free on TV using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna.
Because select MNF broadcasts air on ABC, a digital antenna can help you tune in without paying for a monthly TV subscription. All you’ll need is a TV and a one-time purchase of a digital antenna. The antenna will need a reception range strong enough to pick up your local ABC affiliate. But you can verify that by entering your zip code into the FCC’s Reception Map Tool.
Pro tip: Other OTA channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC show local and primetime NFL games. Keep a lookout for those network affiliates when using the FCC’s Reception Map Tool.
Once you know your local ABC affiliate’s tower distance, you can browse different antenna types on our Best OTA Antennas page. The Mohu Leaf 50 is an excellent choice for its 60-mile range and included amplifier. The antenna also comes with 4K capabilities, which should be helpful if the NFL makes the jump to a higher broadcast resolution.
How to watch Monday Night Football FAQ
Can I watch Monday Night Football without cable?
Yes, you can watch Monday Night Football games without cable using a streaming service or an HD antenna. Most live TV streaming services—like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV—offer ESPN channels, while an antenna will allow you to watch select games simulcasted on ABC. You can also subscribe to ESPN Unlimited as a standalone streaming service.
Can I watch Monday Night Football on the ESPN app?
Yes, you can watch Monday Night Football through the ESPN app if you’re an existing TV subscriber with a plan that includes ESPN channels. The ESPN app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices, plus streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and Roku.
How do I watch Monday Night Football in Spanish?
You can watch Spanish-language coverage of Monday Night Football on ESPN Deportes. To get ESPN Deportes, you may need a higher-tiered TV plan or a separate add-on like Hulu + Live TV’s Español Add-on. You can also get the Spanish-language channel through ESPN Unlimited.
How do I watch the ManningCast?
You can watch the "ManningCast" version of Monday Night Football during select Monday nights on ESPN2. NFL+ also carries all "ManningCast" games for mobile users.
Can Monday Night Football games be flexed?
Yes, the NFL can flex Monday Night Football games in 2026 anywhere between Weeks 12 and 17. The recent rule change allows the league to ensure primetime broadcasts feature the best possible NFL matchups.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, has spent more than six seasons watching Monday Night Football across various TV providers. By pairing that knowledge with additional research, he determined our viewing recommendations by comparing each service head-to-head—focusing on channel availability, cost, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
