when is monday night football on abc? When ABC carries a Monday Night Football game, kickoff is usually at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time, but the exact time and ABC coverage depend on the week’s schedule. ABC does not necessarily show every Monday night game.
Check the game listing for your date before making plans. This guide explains the usual kickoff time, how to convert it to your time zone, why some games air on ESPN instead, and where to verify the broadcast. You’ll also find practical viewing options and tips for avoiding confusion between a game’s start time and its pregame coverage.
when is monday night football on abc?
For most Monday Night Football games shown on ABC, the scheduled kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time. That is the usual national start time, not a guarantee for every game. Some weeks have a different schedule, and some Monday night games air on ESPN without an ABC simulcast.
ABC and ESPN are both part of The Walt Disney Company, and the networks often share NFL coverage. Depending on the game, ABC may show the same broadcast as ESPN, carry a separate game, or have no Monday night game on its schedule. The specific matchup listing is the reliable answer for a particular date.
Also keep in mind that kickoff is not the same as the start of the television broadcast. Pregame coverage can begin well before 8:15 p.m. Eastern, while player introductions, the national anthem, and other pregame activities take place before the opening play. If you want to watch from the beginning, check the program’s listed start time rather than tuning in at kickoff.
How to find the ABC game and its exact start time
Use the date and matchup to confirm the broadcast. A general search for Monday Night Football can show the usual time but may not tell you whether ABC is carrying that week’s game. Follow these steps to get the right information:
- Find the game date and teams. Look at the NFL schedule for the week you want. This prevents confusion between a Monday game and a special game scheduled on another day.
- Check the network listed beside the matchup. Look for ABC, ESPN, or both. If ABC is listed as a simulcast, it is showing the same game as ESPN.
- Confirm the time zone. Many schedules list Eastern Time, but a local television guide may display your local time instead.
- Check a current TV listing close to game day. Listings help catch schedule changes and identify the correct local ABC station or streaming option.
The NFL schedule and the networks’ current programming listings are more useful than a search result that only gives a standard kickoff time. A schedule published before the season can also be updated if a game or broadcast arrangement changes.
What time is an 8:15 p.m. Eastern kickoff where you live?
Eastern Time is the usual reference for the national kickoff listing. During the NFL season, most U.S. locations observe daylight saving time for much of the schedule, so the conversions below are generally the ones viewers need. Check the date-specific listing if a game falls near a clock change or if you are outside the continental United States.
| Time zone | Typical local kickoff | Viewing note |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 8:15 p.m. | Use the listed national time. |
| Central | 7:15 p.m. | The game starts one hour earlier than Eastern Time. |
| Mountain | 6:15 p.m. | Check local listings if your area follows a different clock schedule. |
| Pacific | 5:15 p.m. | Plan around an early evening start. |
| Alaska | 4:15 p.m. | Confirm the local station’s schedule. |
| Hawaii | 2:15 p.m. | Local broadcast availability can differ from mainland listings. |
These conversions assume the national kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern. A game with a different listed start time will shift accordingly. For example, subtract one hour to convert Eastern to Central, three hours to convert Eastern to Pacific, or use a time-zone converter for locations outside the United States.
When traveling, do not rely on the time zone you use at home. A hotel television guide or streaming app may show local time, while a national schedule may show Eastern Time. Checking the time zone label can prevent a missed first quarter.
Does ABC show every Monday Night Football game?
No. ABC does not automatically carry every Monday Night Football game. ESPN is the primary home for many Monday night broadcasts, while ABC may simulcast selected games or have additional games assigned to it. The mix can change from season to season and from week to week.
A simulcast means two networks air the same game at the same time. If the listing shows ABC and ESPN, you can choose either channel for the same matchup. If it lists only ESPN, an antenna receiving ABC will not provide that game unless another authorized service carries the ESPN broadcast.
There can also be unusual weeks, such as a Monday doubleheader. In that case, two games may be scheduled at different times, and the networks may split the broadcasts. Do not assume both games will be on ABC or that each will begin at the usual time. Read the full schedule for that date, including the network and kickoff time beside each matchup.
Practical tip: Search by the teams or the calendar date, then verify the network. Searching only for “Monday Night Football time” can return the standard 8:15 p.m. Eastern start without answering whether ABC is showing that particular game.
Why the kickoff time can vary
The league and its broadcast partners build the schedule around a national television window, but the full season does not always fit one identical pattern. A week with more than one Monday game may have staggered start times. Special scheduling arrangements, including games on other days, can also make a week look different from a standard Monday night.
There is a second source of confusion: a listing may show a pregame program’s start rather than the game’s kickoff. A broadcast might begin with analysis and interviews before the teams take the field. That program time can be earlier than the listed kickoff by a substantial amount, so distinguish “coverage begins” from “game starts.”
Weather, game delays, or broadcast interruptions can affect the actual time the opening play happens. The scheduled kickoff remains the best planning estimate, but live events do not always begin exactly on the minute. If you are joining after the program has started, check the live score before opening a replay or stream to avoid learning the result unintentionally.
Ways to watch when ABC has the game
If ABC is carrying the matchup, you may be able to watch through a local ABC station on cable, satellite, or an antenna. Availability depends on your location and provider. An antenna can receive free over-the-air ABC broadcasts where the station’s signal reaches your home, but reception depends on distance, terrain, building materials, and antenna placement.
Streaming access varies by service and location. Some live-TV streaming subscriptions include a local ABC station; others may not offer it in every market. ESPN’s own services and other authorized options can also differ by game and subscription. Before paying for a service, confirm that it carries the network assigned to the game in your area.
| Viewing option | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Local ABC station | Confirm that ABC is airing the matchup and that your provider includes the station. | Viewers with broadcast, cable, or satellite access to local ABC. |
| Over-the-air antenna | Check local ABC reception and rescan channels if needed. | Viewers whose homes receive a nearby ABC signal. |
| Live-TV streaming service | Verify local ABC availability, network access, and any location limits. | Viewers who want a streaming replacement for a traditional TV package. |
| ESPN or another authorized service | Check whether the service carries the specific game and what subscription is required. | Viewers when the game airs on ESPN or is offered through that service. |
Do not assume that a subscription includes every network or every local station. Channel lineups can vary by market, and a service may carry ABC in one city but not another. Check the service’s channel lookup using your ZIP code before signing up.
What if ABC is not showing the game in your area?
First, confirm whether the game is on ESPN or another network rather than ABC. The network assignment tells you which service to check next. If ABC is listed nationally but is missing from your provider’s guide, verify the local station’s schedule and contact the provider if the discrepancy remains.
Local programming can occasionally differ because of station decisions, technical problems, or provider-specific issues. An antenna scan may find the local station if it is available over the air. If you are using a streaming service, check that the app has the correct location permission and that the account is set to your current market.
For viewers outside the United States, broadcast rights and available services may differ. A U.S. ABC schedule does not guarantee that the same game is available through an ABC channel abroad. Check the authorized NFL broadcaster for your country and use its listed local start time.
Common questions about ABC and Monday night games
Is Monday Night Football always on at 8:15 p.m.?
No. 8:15 p.m. Eastern is the usual kickoff for a standard Monday night game, but special schedules and doubleheaders can have different start times. Confirm the individual matchup before game day.
Does ABC show Monday Night Football for free?
ABC is a broadcast network, so viewers may be able to watch its local station free with an antenna if the signal reaches their home. Cable, satellite, and streaming access depend on the provider and local channel lineup. The game must also be assigned to ABC in the first place.
Is an ABC broadcast different from the ESPN broadcast?
If ABC and ESPN are simulcasting the same game, the matchup and main broadcast are the same. If the networks have separate games, the teams and coverage differ. Check the schedule to see whether ABC is a simulcast or a separate listing.
When does the Monday night broadcast start?
The television program may begin before kickoff with pregame coverage. The game itself usually starts at 8:15 p.m. Eastern for a standard Monday night slot. Look for the separate program and kickoff times in your guide.
Can the game start late?
Yes. Pregame activities, earlier programming, or a live-event delay can push the opening play past its scheduled time. The listed kickoff is the planned start, not a promise that the first snap will happen at that exact minute.
A simple checklist before kickoff
A few quick checks can prevent the most common viewing problems:
- Confirm the date, teams, and scheduled kickoff.
- Verify whether ABC, ESPN, or both are listed.
- Convert the Eastern Time listing to your local time zone.
- Check that your TV provider or streaming service carries the assigned network in your area.
- Open the channel or app before the pregame show begins, and make sure it is showing the correct event.
The key detail is the game-specific listing. “Monday night” tells you the general window, but it does not confirm the ABC channel, local start time, or viewing method. A quick check on game day is especially useful if you are using a service with market-based channel availability.
For most standard Monday Night Football games, kickoff is 8:15 p.m. Eastern, but ABC does not necessarily carry every matchup. Confirm the date, network, and local time instead of relying on the usual start time alone.
Before game day, check your TV guide or authorized streaming service for the specific game. That one step confirms whether ABC has the broadcast and helps you tune in before kickoff.
For a quick answer to when is monday night football on abc, use 8:15 p.m. Eastern as the usual starting point, then verify the current listing for exceptions.