If you’re asking, “are monday night football games on espn plus,” the short answer is: sometimes, but not every game is included with an ESPN+ subscription alone. ESPN+ does not automatically give you access to the full ESPN or ABC channel lineup, where many Monday Night Football broadcasts air.
The right way to watch depends on the specific matchup, the streaming rights for that game, and your subscription. Here’s how to check a game before kickoff, what ESPN’s plans include, and which alternatives can get the broadcast on your TV or phone.
Are monday night football games on espn plus?
Some may be available, but you should not assume every Monday Night Football game streams with a standalone ESPN+ subscription. ESPN+ carries its own live sports and on-demand programming. It is different from the ESPN television channel and ABC, which carry many Monday night broadcasts.
That difference matters because an ESPN+ login does not automatically unlock every event shown on ESPN or ABC. A game might appear in the ESPN app, but the app can require a qualifying subscription, a TV-provider login, or another form of access before it plays.
Streaming rights can also vary by season and by matchup. The clearest answer for a particular game is the event listing in the ESPN app or on ESPN’s schedule. Check the listing while signed in: if it identifies the game as part of your plan, you can stream it; if it asks for a TV provider or an upgraded plan, ESPN+ alone is not enough.
So, treat ESPN+ as a possible way to watch certain games, not as a complete replacement for ESPN and ABC. If you want reliable access to the full ESPN broadcast, choose a plan that explicitly includes the ESPN networks or use a TV service that carries the channel.
Why ESPN+ and ESPN are different
The names are similar, but the services provide different kinds of access. ESPN+ is a streaming subscription for ESPN+ programming. ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC are separate channels, often included in cable packages and live TV streaming plans.
Some events shown on ESPN+ are exclusive to the service. Other sports content may appear on both ESPN+ and a television channel, depending on the rights for that event. But subscribing to ESPN+ does not automatically mean you receive a live feed of every ESPN channel.
ESPN’s direct-to-consumer options can add to the confusion. ESPN Select provides ESPN+ content, while ESPN Unlimited is designed to include access to ESPN’s networks and a broader set of live programming. Plan names, features, and prices can change, so read the current plan details and the specific game listing before paying.
A simple rule helps: look for the channel or plan named in the event details. If the listing says ESPN or ABC and your subscription only includes ESPN+, you may need another way to watch. If the listing says the game is included with your plan, you can watch through the ESPN app using that account.
How to check if your game is included
Do this before Monday night rather than waiting until kickoff. A quick check can prevent the frustration of discovering that your subscription does not cover the broadcast.
- Find the matchup. Open the ESPN app or website and locate the Monday night game on the schedule. Confirm the teams and kickoff time, since schedules and broadcast assignments can change.
- Open the event details. Look for the watch option and any access information. The listing may identify ESPN+, ESPN, ABC, or another service as the place to stream the game.
- Sign in to the account you plan to use. The app can show different access options depending on whether you are signed in to ESPN+, ESPN Unlimited, or a participating TV provider.
- Check for an upgrade or provider prompt. If playback asks you to subscribe to a different plan or verify a TV provider, your current ESPN+ subscription does not include that live feed.
- Test your device and connection. Start the app before the game, update it if needed, and make sure you can sign in. If watching on a television, test the streaming device or smart TV in advance.
Do not rely only on a search result, an old schedule, or the fact that a different Monday game worked last week. Broadcast arrangements can differ from one matchup to the next. The in-app listing for the specific event is the most practical check.
Ways to watch Monday Night Football
If ESPN+ does not include the game you want, you still have several options. The best choice depends on whether you want the ESPN broadcast, whether you need to watch on a television, and what services you already pay for.
| Option | What it can provide | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ / ESPN Select | ESPN+ programming and any eligible game listed as included with the plan; it does not automatically provide every ESPN or ABC channel broadcast. | Viewers whose specific game is confirmed in the app. |
| ESPN Unlimited | Broader access to ESPN networks and live programming, subject to the plan’s current terms and the event listing. | Fans who want ESPN channel access without a traditional TV package. |
| Cable or satellite TV | ESPN and, if included in the package, ABC. Streaming through the ESPN app may be available after provider verification. | Households that already have a package carrying the broadcast channels. |
| Live TV streaming service | May carry ESPN and ABC, depending on the service, plan, and local channel availability. | Viewers who want a TV-style package delivered over the internet. |
| Over-the-air antenna | ABC broadcasts available locally, where the station’s signal reaches your home. | People who want to watch a game carried on local ABC without streaming it. |
| NFL+ | Live local and primetime NFL games on supported phones and tablets, subject to NFL+ terms. | Fans who are comfortable watching on a mobile device. |
Availability depends on the game and your location. For example, an antenna only helps if your local ABC station carries that matchup and you can receive its signal. A live TV streaming service must include the right channels in your area and in your chosen package.
Which option should you choose?
Choose based on the broadcast access you need, not just the service name. If you already have ESPN+ and the event listing says the game is included, use the ESPN app and sign in to your subscription. If it requires ESPN or ABC, compare the cost and availability of a plan that carries those channels with options you already have.
If you have cable or satellite, check whether ESPN is part of your package. You may be able to watch through your provider’s TV app or by signing in to the ESPN app with your provider credentials. If you do not have a traditional TV package, a live TV streaming plan with ESPN may be a better fit, but verify that it carries the channel in your area before subscribing.
If the game is on ABC, a digital antenna may be a straightforward choice at home. Reception varies with distance, buildings, terrain, and antenna placement, so it is smart to scan for local channels and test reception before game night. An antenna will not provide ESPN’s cable channel.
If you only need to follow a game away from home, NFL+ may offer live local and primetime games on a phone or tablet. That is not the same as getting a full TV broadcast on your television. Review the current NFL+ terms for device limits and any restrictions that matter to you.
Can you watch on a TV, phone, or tablet?
The device you use does not change which subscription includes the broadcast. If the game requires ESPN access, opening the ESPN app on a smart TV instead of a phone will not turn an ESPN+ plan into an ESPN channel subscription.
On a smart TV or streaming device, install the ESPN app and sign in with the account that has the required access. Depending on your plan, you may need to link a TV provider. If the app supports your device and account, the event page should provide a watch option when the game is available.
On a phone or tablet, the ESPN app is the usual place to check the game and play eligible streams. NFL+ is another option for live local and primetime games on supported mobile devices. Its mobile access should not be mistaken for unrestricted TV streaming.
For a television without the ESPN app, you may be able to connect a supported streaming device or cast from a compatible phone. Casting depends on the app, device, account, and stream restrictions. Test it in advance; having a subscription does not guarantee that every casting method will work for every broadcast.
Common problems that stop a game from playing
The app asks for a TV provider
This usually means the event is being offered through an ESPN channel feed rather than through your ESPN+ subscription. Sign in with a provider that carries the channel, or use another eligible plan. Reinstalling the app will not change the access rights attached to your account.
The game appears in the app but is locked
A schedule listing is not proof that your plan includes the stream. Open the event’s access details and read the prompt. It may indicate that the game needs a different subscription, a provider login, or an account upgrade.
Your plan works for other sports but not this matchup
That can happen because streaming rights are set for individual events and channels. Access to one ESPN+ event does not mean you have access to every program broadcast on ESPN or ABC. Check this game separately instead of assuming all live sports have the same requirements.
The stream is unavailable on your device
Update the app and the device software, then sign out and sign in again. Confirm that your subscription is active and that you are using the account connected to it. If the event is available on another supported device, try that before kickoff to narrow down whether the issue is the account or the device.
What to know before subscribing
Verify the channel, the game, and the plan separately. A service may advertise ESPN content without including the ESPN channel feed you need. Read the plan’s current channel list and check the matchup’s event page before starting a trial or subscription.
Also check whether the plan can be canceled when you want, whether it has a trial, and whether your preferred devices are supported. Do not assume a trial is available or that it includes every channel. Terms differ between providers and can change.
For local broadcasts, confirm that ABC is available in your area through the streaming service or antenna you plan to use. If your goal is to watch a game on a television, confirm TV access rather than relying on a phone-only option. These small checks are more useful than choosing a service based only on a broad claim that it carries NFL games.
Finally, distinguish live access from replays and highlights. A service may offer clips or on-demand NFL content without carrying the live Monday night broadcast. If watching as it happens matters, the event listing needs to show a live viewing option for your account.
So, are monday night football games on espn plus? Some may be, but ESPN+ alone does not guarantee access to every Monday Night Football broadcast on ESPN or ABC. The exact game listing and your plan determine whether you can watch.
Before kickoff, open the matchup in the ESPN app while signed in and check its access requirements. If it calls for ESPN or ABC, choose a plan or TV option that carries the channel, or use another eligible way to watch.