Yes, some Monday Night Football games are shown on ABC, but ABC does not carry every game. ESPN remains the main home for the weekly broadcast, and the channel lineup can vary by matchup and season.
That means the best way to know where a specific game is airing is to check its listing, rather than assume ABC will show it. Here’s how ABC and ESPN share the broadcasts, where you can stream a game, and what to check if you can’t find it on your TV.
are monday night football games on abc?
Sometimes, but not every week. ABC airs selected Monday Night Football games, while ESPN is the primary cable network for the series. A particular matchup may appear on ABC, ESPN, or both networks, depending on the NFL schedule and broadcast plans for that season.
ABC is a broadcast network, so many households can receive it with an antenna or through a TV package that includes the local ABC station. ESPN is a cable channel, which usually requires a pay-TV subscription or a streaming service that carries ESPN.
The important distinction is that “Monday Night Football” is the name of the game broadcast, not a promise that the game will be on ABC. Check the channel listing for the specific date and matchup before kickoff.
Why some games air on ABC and others on ESPN
ABC and ESPN are part of the same Disney-owned sports portfolio, but they serve different viewing setups. ESPN is the regular cable destination for Monday night games. ABC can provide a broadcast-network window for selected games, giving viewers another way to watch without a traditional cable channel.
The NFL’s schedule and network agreements determine which games air on which channels. Those plans can change from season to season, and a schedule can include simulcasts, where the same game airs on ABC and ESPN at the same time.
A simulcast is useful if you have ABC but not ESPN, or if you prefer to watch through a local broadcast station. It does not mean that every Monday game is on both channels. Some games may be listed on ESPN only, while others may have more than one viewing option.
How to check which channel has a specific game
Use the exact matchup and date to confirm a broadcast. A generic search for Monday Night Football may show the series’ usual network but not the channel for a particular game.
- Find the game date and kickoff time. Use the NFL schedule, a team schedule, or your TV provider’s guide.
- Look for the network beside the matchup. Check whether it lists ABC, ESPN, or both.
- Check your local listings. Local station schedules and program guides can confirm whether your ABC affiliate is carrying the game.
- Confirm your streaming service’s channel lineup. Search the service’s guide for the game itself, not just the network name.
- Check again on game day. Listings are usually published ahead of time, but checking close to kickoff helps catch schedule or channel changes.
When a listing says “ABC/ESPN,” that generally indicates a simulcast. If only ESPN appears, do not assume the local ABC station will carry the game. The game’s official schedule and your local guide are the most useful final checks.
Ways to watch Monday Night Football
The right option depends on which network is carrying the game and what services you already have. Compare the choices before signing up for anything; a service that carries ABC may not carry ESPN, and the reverse can also be true.
| Viewing option | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ABC over the air | A TV antenna and reception of your local ABC station | Watching a game that ABC is carrying without a cable package |
| Cable or satellite TV | A package that includes the network showing the game | People who already subscribe to live TV |
| Live TV streaming service | A service with ABC, ESPN, or both in your area | Viewers who want live channels without traditional cable |
| ESPN app or a related streaming option | A qualifying subscription or access that includes the game | Watching an ESPN broadcast on a supported device |
| NFL+ | An active subscription and a compatible viewing setup | Watching eligible live games on a phone or tablet |
Watch ABC with an antenna
If the game is being broadcast on your local ABC station, an antenna may be enough. Reception depends on your location, distance from the transmitter, building materials, and antenna placement. Scan for channels after connecting the antenna, and test reception before kickoff.
An antenna receives local over-the-air broadcasts; it does not provide ESPN. It also cannot guarantee that ABC is airing a particular game. Check the schedule first, then confirm that you can receive the local station reliably.
Watch through cable, satellite, or live TV streaming
Traditional cable and satellite packages may include both ESPN and local ABC, but channel lineups vary by provider and location. Live TV streaming services can also carry these networks, though availability, subscription tiers, and local station coverage differ.
Before choosing a service, verify that it carries the exact channel you need in your ZIP code. A service’s general advertising may mention ABC or ESPN without guaranteeing that the channel is available in every market or plan. Free trials and channel packages can change, so check current terms before subscribing.
Stream through ESPN or another eligible service
Some Monday night games are available through ESPN’s streaming options or services that carry ESPN. Access can depend on the broadcast, your subscription, location, and the current rights for that game. Look up the specific matchup in the app before relying on it.
NFL+ offers live access to eligible regular-season games on supported mobile devices, including phones and tablets. It is not a general substitute for a TV service if you want to watch every live game on a television. Review the current NFL+ plan details and device limits before subscribing.
What to do if you can’t find the game
If the game is missing from your guide, first confirm the date, kickoff time, and network. A search result may show a national schedule, while your provider’s guide may use a shortened team name or list the program under a different label.
- Search both team names. The matchup may be easier to locate than the program title.
- Check the local ABC station separately. The station may appear under a call sign or local channel number.
- Refresh the streaming guide. Close and reopen the app, then search again.
- Confirm your plan includes the channel. Some services place sports channels in specific packages.
- Check device and location settings. Streaming access can depend on supported devices and your viewing location.
If you have ABC but not ESPN, that is enough only when ABC is carrying the game. If the matchup is listed on ESPN alone, you will need a way to access ESPN. If both channels carry it, choose whichever is available and works best for you.
Common questions about ABC and Monday night games
Is every Monday Night Football game on ABC?
No. ABC carries selected games, while ESPN is the main channel for the series. A specific game may be on ESPN, ABC, or both, so check that matchup’s listing.
Can you watch the game on ABC without cable?
Yes, if ABC is broadcasting the game and you can receive your local ABC station. An antenna may work, depending on your reception. You may also have access through a live TV streaming service that carries your local ABC affiliate.
Does ESPN show Monday Night Football?
Yes. ESPN is the primary cable home for Monday Night Football. Some games may also be simulcast on ABC, but the networks do not necessarily share every matchup.
Can you stream an ABC broadcast?
Possibly. Available options depend on your location, the game, the service, and its current access rules. Check your local ABC affiliate’s options and the live channel guide of any streaming service you use.
Is the game always on the same channel each week?
No. The channel can differ by game and season. Look up the particular matchup instead of relying on last week’s channel or a general series listing.
What people often get wrong about the broadcast
The most common mistake is treating ABC and ESPN as interchangeable. They may show the same game during a simulcast, but that does not mean they both carry every Monday night matchup. Check the listing before paying for a service or arranging an antenna setup.
Another easy-to-miss detail is the difference between receiving ABC and having ESPN. ABC is a local broadcast network; ESPN is a separate cable channel. An antenna can receive ABC when the signal is available, but it will not add ESPN to your television.
Also, a streaming subscription that includes sports does not automatically include every NFL broadcast. Networks, markets, plan tiers, and device rules all matter. Confirm the channel and the game in the service’s guide before kickoff, especially if you are choosing a new subscription just to watch one matchup.
Some Monday Night Football games air on ABC, but ESPN remains the series’ main broadcast home. Whether ABC is an option depends on the specific game, so don’t assume every Monday matchup will be available there.
Before kickoff, check the game’s network listing and confirm your local channel or streaming plan carries it. If ABC has the broadcast, an antenna may be enough; if the listing says ESPN only, you’ll need access to ESPN.