For U.S. viewers, where can i stream the nfl games depends on the day, the broadcast network, and your location. Local Sunday games usually stream through a service carrying your local CBS or FOX station; national games are on services such as Peacock, Prime Video, or a TV package with ESPN or NBC.
You do not need one subscription for every matchup. This guide explains which options cover local, national, and out-of-market games, what each one leaves out, and how to check your coverage before paying.
Where can i stream the nfl games?
Start with the game’s broadcaster. Sunday afternoon matchups are generally shown on CBS or FOX in the teams’ local markets. Sunday Night Football is on NBC, Monday Night Football is on ESPN and, for some games, ABC, while Thursday Night Football is primarily on Prime Video. The schedule can also include games exclusive to services such as Peacock or NFL Network.
For local channels, you can use an antenna or a live TV streaming service that carries your local station. For a national game, use the service or channel listed for that specific matchup. No single streaming subscription automatically includes every NFL game.
Here is a quick comparison of the main options for viewers in the United States:
| Option | Games it can cover | Best for | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna | Local CBS, FOX, and NBC broadcasts, where available | Free access to local over-the-air games | Does not provide every channel or out-of-market matchup |
| Live TV streaming service | Local broadcast stations and, depending on the package, ESPN or NFL Network | Replacing cable with broad weekly coverage | Channel lineups vary by location and plan |
| Prime Video | Most Thursday Night Football games | Watching Thursday games | Does not replace Sunday local or all national coverage |
| Peacock | NBC programming and select NFL games, as scheduled | Streaming eligible NBC and Peacock games | Not every NBC game is exclusive to Peacock |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games shown on CBS and FOX | Following a team outside its local TV market | Does not replace local games or most primetime games |
| NFL+ | Live local and primetime games on supported mobile devices; game replays are also available | Watching on a phone or tablet, or catching up later | Live game access is not the same as full live TV access on a television |
Rights, channel packages, and exclusive games can change by season. Check the current game listing and service details before subscribing.
How to stream local Sunday games
Local Sunday games are the easiest to watch without a special out-of-market package. Your local CBS and FOX stations carry the matchups assigned to your area. NBC carries Sunday Night Football, and some games on other networks may also be available locally through an affiliated station.
If you have a suitable antenna and receive the station’s signal, you can watch those over-the-air broadcasts without a streaming subscription. Reception depends on your distance from broadcast towers, buildings, terrain, and antenna placement. Check reception in your home before relying on an antenna for game day.
To stream local channels over the internet, look for a live TV service that carries CBS, FOX, and NBC in your ZIP code. Depending on the week and the package, you may also need ESPN or NFL Network. Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and other live TV providers have different local lineups, so confirm the exact channels available at your address.
Check the ZIP code before signing up. A service may carry a network nationally but lack your local affiliate. That difference can decide whether you can watch your area’s Sunday broadcast.
How to watch games on Prime Video, Peacock, and ESPN
Some games are tied to a particular streaming service or network, so a local-channel package may not be enough. Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football games. Peacock streams NBC programming and may carry select NFL games; check the schedule to see whether a particular game is available there or also on broadcast TV.
Monday Night Football is shown on ESPN, with some games also available on ABC. You can watch through a TV provider or live TV streaming package that carries the relevant channel. ESPN’s own streaming options may also offer access, but the included games depend on the current plan and rights.
NFL Network carries selected games and football programming. It is included in some TV packages, not all of them. A game listed on NFL Network may require a package with that channel rather than a basic local-channel plan.
Before kickoff, check the official NFL schedule or the listing in your streaming app. Confirm both the network and whether the game is exclusive to a particular service. This prevents a common surprise: having a service that shows NFL games generally does not mean it carries every specific matchup.
When NFL Sunday Ticket is the right choice
NFL Sunday Ticket is designed for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games carried by CBS and FOX. It can help if you live outside the local broadcast area for the team you follow. It is not a complete replacement for local channels: games shown in your area are generally handled by local broadcasters, and Sunday Ticket does not cover every primetime or exclusive game.
Sunday Ticket is offered through YouTube and YouTube TV, with plan details and eligibility subject to change. Check the current offer for the season, including whether it is bundled with another subscription and which devices it supports.
If you only want your local team’s usual games, start by checking local channels rather than buying Sunday Ticket. If you want many Sunday afternoon games that are unavailable in your market, compare Sunday Ticket with the cost of your other required services.
What NFL+ can—and cannot—stream
NFL+ offers live access to local and primetime games on supported phones and tablets in the United States. That mobile restriction matters: it is not a general way to stream every live Sunday game on a television. NFL+ plans also provide game replays, with features and access varying by plan.
If you want to watch a live game on a big screen, check the current NFL+ terms and device restrictions before subscribing. If replays are enough, NFL+ may suit you without the cost of a broad live TV package. NFL+ Premium has also included additional features such as NFL Network or NFL RedZone in some plan configurations; confirm what the current plan includes.
How to choose the right setup
- Find the game’s channel. Look up the matchup and kickoff time, then note the listed network or streaming service.
- Decide whether you need local or out-of-market coverage. Local games may be available over the air or through a local-channel streaming package. Sunday Ticket is for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
- Check your local lineup. Enter your ZIP code on the live TV provider’s site and verify CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network as needed.
- Check exclusives separately. If a game is listed on Prime Video, Peacock, or another service, confirm that service carries that specific matchup.
- Test devices and logins before kickoff. Install the app, sign in, and confirm your TV or streaming device is supported. This also gives you time to fix a password or account issue.
For a lower-cost setup, start with an antenna for local broadcasts and add only the service needed for games you cannot receive that way. If you want broad weekly coverage, a live TV package may cover several networks, but it can still leave out exclusive games or out-of-market matchups.
Common streaming problems to avoid
Assuming one service includes every game
NFL rights are divided across networks and services. A live TV subscription can cover many channels, but a game exclusive to a separate streaming service may still require another account. Check the matchup rather than relying on a service’s general “NFL coverage” description.
Confusing local coverage with out-of-market coverage
Your location affects which Sunday afternoon games appear on local CBS and FOX stations. A service designed for out-of-market games does not necessarily add your local broadcast, and a local-channel package will not show every game happening elsewhere.
Waiting until kickoff to check access
Streaming apps may require an update, provider login, or location permission. Test the service ahead of time, especially if you are traveling. If you are away from home, available local games may change with your location and the provider’s rules.
Outside the United States, NFL broadcast rights and services differ by country. Check the official NFL viewing information for your location rather than assuming U.S. services are available or include the same games.
The right service depends on the specific game: local channels cover many Sunday matchups, while national and exclusive games may require different services. NFL Sunday Ticket is for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, and NFL+ live access is primarily for supported mobile devices.
Before choosing a plan, look up the next game you want to watch and confirm its network, your local channel lineup, and device requirements. That quick check can save you from paying for a service that does not carry the matchup.