To learn how to watch monday night football, check the week’s broadcast listing first: most games air on ESPN, with some also shown on ABC. You can watch through a TV provider, a live-TV streaming service, or an eligible streaming plan.
The right choice depends on whether you want to watch on a television, a phone, or while traveling. This guide explains the main options, what each one includes, and how to avoid paying for a service that does not carry the game you want.
You’ll also find a quick fix for common streaming problems and a simple way to confirm where a specific matchup is airing.
How to watch monday night football on TV or stream it
For most viewers in the United States, Monday Night Football is carried by ESPN. Some games are also simulcast on ABC, which can make them available through a local broadcast station as well as ESPN. The exact channels and streaming rights can vary by game, so check the listing for that week before choosing a service.
If you have a cable, satellite, or live-TV streaming package that includes ESPN, open that provider’s channel guide at kickoff. If you do not have a TV package, use a live-TV service that currently carries ESPN, or check whether the game is available through an ESPN streaming plan in your area. A regular ESPN account or app download does not automatically mean you have access to every live game.
Most regular-season Monday games are scheduled for an evening kickoff, commonly around 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. Special games and schedule changes can differ, so use the NFL schedule or your provider’s guide to confirm the start time and channel for the matchup you want.
Ways to watch, compared
There is no single best option for everyone. A traditional TV plan may be convenient if you already have one, while streaming can work well if you want to watch without a cable box. The important detail is whether your chosen plan includes the channel carrying that particular game.
| Option | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cable or satellite | A package carrying ESPN; ABC availability depends on your provider and location | Viewers who already pay for TV service |
| Live-TV streaming service | An active plan that includes ESPN; check local ABC availability | Cord-cutters who want live channels on a TV or supported device |
| ESPN app or streaming plan | A plan that specifically includes access to the live ESPN broadcast | Viewers who want ESPN access without a traditional TV package |
| Local ABC station | An antenna or a TV service carrying the local station, if the game is simulcast there | Viewers looking for an over-the-air option for an ABC game |
| NFL+ on a phone or tablet | An eligible subscription and a supported mobile device | People who want to watch live on a small screen |
| International NFL Game Pass | Availability through the authorized service in your country | Fans outside the United States, subject to local rights |
Watch with cable, satellite, or a live-TV streaming service
If ESPN is already part of your cable or satellite package, this is often the simplest route. Find ESPN in the channel guide, then check the listing for any pregame coverage or a different kickoff time. If the game is airing on ABC too, your local station may provide another way to watch.
Without cable, a live-TV streaming service can provide ESPN over the internet. Services change their channel packages and regional availability, so confirm that ESPN is included in the exact plan you are considering. If you also want to use ABC, check whether the service carries your local ABC station. ABC availability may depend on your location and the provider’s agreements.
Common services to compare include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV STREAM. Channel lineups can change, and not every service offers the same local stations. Rather than relying on an old channel list or an advertisement for the company as a whole, search the provider’s current lineup by your ZIP code and verify the specific plan.
A streaming package usually works through an app on a smart TV, streaming device, game console, phone, tablet, or web browser. You generally sign in with the account for that service. Some providers also set limits on simultaneous streams, so check those rules if several people in your home plan to watch at once.
Use the ESPN app or an ESPN streaming plan
The ESPN app can be a convenient place to watch when your subscription provides access to the live ESPN channel. Depending on the current offer, you may need to sign in with a participating TV provider or subscribe to a direct ESPN plan. The app itself is not a substitute for a qualifying subscription.
Read the plan description carefully. Access to ESPN+ content is not automatically the same as access to the live ESPN cable channel. A plan that includes on-demand shows or selected sporting events might not carry the Monday game shown on ESPN. Look for language that confirms live access to ESPN, and check the game’s listing before subscribing.
After signing in, open the ESPN app and look for the live game tile or the ESPN channel stream. If the app asks you to connect a provider, follow the sign-in steps for your TV service. If it asks you to upgrade, verify what the upgrade includes before paying. A subscription may have limits based on location, device, or account eligibility.
Can you watch on NFL+?
NFL+ offers live access to local and primetime games on supported phones and tablets in the United States, subject to the service’s current terms. That makes it a possible choice if you are comfortable watching on a mobile screen. It is not the same as subscribing to a full live-TV package.
Do not assume that a phone subscription lets you cast or stream the live game to a television. NFL+ restrictions can distinguish between mobile viewing and TV-connected devices. Check the current device rules for the plan before subscribing, especially if watching on a big screen is your priority.
Some NFL+ plans also include game replays or other features, but those are separate from watching the live broadcast on a TV. If you mainly want the game live on your television, a service carrying ESPN or ABC is usually the more straightforward option.
Watch an ABC simulcast with an antenna
When a Monday game is also shown on your local ABC station, an antenna may let you watch over the air without a cable or streaming subscription. Connect a digital antenna to your television, run the channel scan, and check whether your local ABC signal comes in clearly.
This option only works if the game is scheduled on ABC and your antenna can receive the station. Reception depends on your location, buildings, terrain, antenna placement, and signal strength. If ABC does not appear after scanning, try placing the antenna near a window or higher up, then scan again.
A useful detail: a national broadcast does not guarantee that every viewer can receive ABC over the air. The local station and signal still matter. Confirm the game is on your ABC affiliate and test reception before kickoff rather than assuming the channel will be available.
Watching outside the United States
Broadcast rights differ by country. Outside the United States, NFL Game Pass is available through DAZN in many markets, but its coverage, features, and availability depend on your location. Check the service’s local NFL offering and confirm that it includes live Monday games before signing up.
A U.S. cable login or streaming subscription may not work abroad because services can restrict access based on location and broadcast rights. Likewise, a service available in one country may not carry the same games in another. Use the authorized provider for the country where you are watching and check its live schedule.
If you are traveling, verify the rules before you leave. A subscription that works at home may have different access abroad, and hotel or public Wi-Fi can create additional streaming problems. Do not rely on a VPN as a guaranteed fix; provider terms and local rights can limit or block access.
How to find the right channel for this week’s game
Broadcast details can change from one Monday to the next. Use this quick process to confirm the correct channel and avoid starting the game on the wrong service:
- Find the matchup and kickoff time. Check the NFL schedule or the schedule in a trusted TV guide.
- Look for the network listing. Confirm whether the game is on ESPN, ABC, or both.
- Match the channel to your plan. Check your provider’s current lineup and make sure your specific package includes it.
- Check the device rules. Confirm that your chosen service supports the television, phone, or tablet you plan to use.
- Open the app early. Sign in and test playback before kickoff so you have time to fix a login or connection problem.
For a game listed on ESPN, search for the live channel in your TV guide or streaming app. For a game listed on ABC, check your local station’s schedule and whether your provider or antenna can receive it. If a listing mentions an alternate broadcast, such as the ManningCast, treat it as an additional presentation rather than a replacement for the main game feed.
What is the ManningCast, and how is it different?
The ManningCast is an alternate Monday Night Football telecast featuring Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, often with guests. It is not the standard play-by-play broadcast. It is offered for selected games and is typically associated with ESPN2, but the schedule can vary.
If you want the traditional game call, choose the main ESPN or ABC broadcast. If you prefer conversation, commentary, and guest appearances, check whether the alternate feed is available for that week. Having access to ESPN does not necessarily mean every alternate channel is included in your package.
Fix common streaming problems before kickoff
Most viewing problems come from a missing channel, an expired login, or a weak internet connection. A few checks can often resolve them without changing services.
- Game is missing: Confirm the network listing and the channel lineup for your exact plan. A service may carry ESPN but not your local ABC station, or the game may be on an alternate channel.
- App requests a TV provider: Sign in with the account for your cable, satellite, or streaming-TV package. A separate ESPN account may not prove that you subscribe to the live channel.
- Video will not start: Update the app, restart the device, and sign out and back in. If the stream still fails, test another channel to see whether the issue affects the whole service.
- Picture keeps buffering: Pause downloads on other devices, move closer to the router, or connect the TV by Ethernet if available. Restarting the router can help if other streams are also struggling.
- Watching away from home: Check the service’s location rules and device limits. Some live-TV providers require periodic home-network verification.
One practical tip many viewers miss: test the exact device and app you will use, not just your account on a phone. A subscription can be active while an older smart TV app is out of date or unsupported. Testing early separates an account issue from a device issue.
Choose a service based on how you actually watch
Before paying for a new plan, decide where you will watch and whether you need other channels. If ESPN is already included in your TV package, there may be no reason to add another subscription. If you only need one game on a television, first check whether it is simulcast on ABC and available through your local station.
If you want a flexible setup for multiple channels, compare live-TV streaming services by their current lineup, local channels, device support, and account limits. If you only watch on a phone or tablet, check whether NFL+ meets your needs and understand its screen restrictions. International viewers should compare local rights and authorized options in their country.
Also consider the billing details. A free trial, if offered, may require cancellation before its stated end date to avoid a charge. Check the renewal price, cancellation process, and whether the plan is monthly or bundled before entering payment information.
Can you listen to the game instead?
If you cannot watch a video stream, radio can be a useful backup. Local sports radio stations and the NFL’s audio options may carry game coverage, depending on your location and subscription access. Check the game’s listing and the audio service’s terms, since audio rights can differ from television rights.
Listening can also help when your internet connection is too weak for video or you are driving. Use a hands-free setup and follow local laws while driving. If you are at home, radio or an authorized audio stream can keep you up to date while you troubleshoot the TV feed.
For most U.S. viewers, the game is on ESPN, with some matchups also available on ABC. Choose a service that carries the listed channel, and remember that mobile access does not always include TV streaming.
Before kickoff, check this week’s schedule, confirm your plan includes the broadcast, and test the app or antenna on the device you will use. That quick check can save you from missing the opening drive.
Use how to watch monday night football as a weekly check rather than assuming every game follows the same channel setup.