Yes, will monday night football be televised? In the United States, Monday Night Football is generally shown on ESPN, with selected games also broadcast on ABC.
You can also watch through live-TV streaming services that carry those channels, though the available games depend on the service and your location. Some games may have a separate streaming arrangement.
This guide explains where to find the broadcast, how to stream it with or without cable, and what to check before kickoff. It also covers start times, mobile viewing, and quick fixes if the game does not appear in your listings.
will monday night football be televised on ESPN or ABC?
Usually, yes. In the United States, ESPN is the main home of Monday Night Football. Selected games are also shown on ABC, and some weeks feature a simulcast on both networks. A simulcast means the same game airs on two channels at the same time.
The exact channel can change from game to game. Check the listing for the specific matchup rather than assuming every Monday broadcast is on ABC. ESPN and ABC are separate channels, and a TV package may include one without the other.
For a particular game, look at the NFL schedule or your TV provider’s program guide. Search by the teams playing and the date. The listing should name the network carrying the game, and may also show a streaming option.
Where can you watch Monday Night Football?
Your best option depends on whether you have cable, satellite, an antenna, or a streaming subscription. Use this comparison to narrow it down before game night.
| Viewing option | What you need | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN on cable or satellite | A TV package that includes ESPN | Viewers with a traditional TV subscription | Confirm ESPN is in your channel lineup |
| ABC over the air | An antenna and a receivable local ABC station | Watching an ABC broadcast without a paid TV package | Check whether that game airs on ABC and whether your home receives the station |
| Live-TV streaming service | A subscription that includes the needed channel | Cable-free viewers who want live TV | Check ESPN, ABC, local-channel availability, and current plan terms |
| ESPN app | Access through an eligible TV provider or plan | Watching on a phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV | Check which game is available and whether your login includes it |
| NFL+ | An NFL+ subscription and a supported mobile device | Watching eligible live games on a phone or tablet | Review live-viewing device limits; TV-screen access differs |
Watching with cable or satellite
If your TV package includes ESPN, tune to that channel at the listed start time. If the game is also airing on ABC, you can use either network. Your provider’s on-screen guide is a quick way to check the channel number and confirm the broadcast.
Do not assume your package includes ESPN just because it carries local broadcast channels. ESPN is generally a paid cable network, while ABC is a broadcast network. Channel lineups differ by provider and plan.
Watching with an antenna
An antenna can receive ABC if the station is available over the air in your area and the game is scheduled for ABC. This can be a practical way to watch without a cable subscription. However, an antenna does not receive ESPN.
Reception depends on your location, local station coverage, antenna placement, and obstacles such as buildings or terrain. Check a local station listing before kickoff. If the game is ESPN-only, an antenna by itself will not show it.
Watching with a live-TV streaming service
Services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and other live-TV providers may carry ESPN and, in some areas, local ABC stations. Channel availability, plan names, prices, and local coverage can change. Check the provider’s current channel list for your ZIP code before signing up.
A subscription to an on-demand service is not automatically the same as live access to ESPN or ABC. Confirm that the plan includes the live channel, not just shows or replays. If you are considering a free trial, check its end date and cancellation terms so you are not surprised by a charge.
How to stream the game live
There are several ways to stream a broadcast, but the right choice depends on the game’s network and your account. Use these steps to avoid downloading an app only to find that you cannot watch.
- Find the network first. Look up the matchup in the official schedule or your TV guide. Note whether it is listed on ESPN, ABC, or a streaming service.
- Check your subscription. Confirm your cable package or live-TV plan includes the listed channel. If you plan to use an app, verify that your account is eligible to watch that specific game.
- Install and sign in ahead of time. Download the provider or network app on your phone, tablet, streaming device, or smart TV. Sign in before kickoff so you have time to resolve password or account issues.
- Test the stream. Open a live channel earlier in the day and check that your internet connection is stable. If possible, connect your TV device to the router with an Ethernet cable for a more reliable connection.
- Use the listed broadcast at game time. If one app does not carry the matchup, check the network listing again. A subscription to one service does not guarantee access to every NFL game.
The ESPN app may let eligible subscribers stream ESPN content after signing in with a participating TV provider or account. Availability can depend on the game, subscription, location, and current distribution terms. The app itself does not mean every viewer gets free access to every live broadcast.
Some seasons include a game with a separate streaming arrangement. Treat that as a game-specific exception, not a rule for the whole schedule. The NFL’s listing and the named broadcaster are the best clues to which service you need.
What time does Monday Night Football start?
Many Monday night games are scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time, but the listed kickoff can vary. Early-season doubleheaders, international games, special scheduling, and other changes may affect the start time or the network carrying a matchup.
Check the time in the official listing for that week. If you are watching from another time zone, convert the listed Eastern Time to your local time. A TV guide may display the game in local time, but confirm its time zone settings if the listing looks different.
Plan to tune in a little early if you want the pregame coverage. The broadcast may begin before kickoff, and the length of that coverage can vary by network and provider. A scheduled program start is not always the same as the opening kickoff.
Can you watch Monday Night Football without cable?
Yes, in many cases. If a game airs on ABC and you can receive your local ABC station, an antenna may be enough. If the game airs on ESPN, you will generally need a TV package or a live-TV streaming service that includes ESPN.
Some streaming services offer ESPN and local broadcast channels in one subscription, but lineups differ. Before choosing a plan, check the channel list for your area and confirm the specific game is included. Compare the total cost and cancellation terms rather than relying only on a trial offer.
NFL+ may provide live access to certain regular-season games on phones and tablets, including eligible primetime games. Its live-TV limits matter: it is not a universal replacement for an ESPN or ABC subscription on a television. Check the current NFL+ terms and supported devices if you plan to watch on a bigger screen.
Why might the game be missing from your TV or app?
If you expect a game but cannot find it, first check the listing for that exact matchup. The broadcast may be on ABC instead of ESPN, or ESPN instead of ABC. A game may also have a streaming-only arrangement, depending on the schedule.
Next, check that your plan includes the channel and that your local ABC station is available through your service. Some streaming providers carry local channels only in certain markets. A service’s national channel list does not always guarantee local ABC access where you live.
If the channel should be included, try these practical checks:
- Restart the app or TV device, then sign in again.
- Confirm that your provider subscription is active and linked to the app.
- Check whether the app or device needs an update.
- Turn off a VPN if it is affecting your location or access.
- Check for an outage or a changed channel listing from your provider.
A common mistake is buying the wrong kind of streaming subscription. An on-demand package may include sports-related shows but not live ESPN. Likewise, access to NFL+ on a mobile device does not necessarily let you cast or stream the same live game on a television. Match the service to the broadcast and the screen you plan to use.
Does every Monday Night Football game air on the same channel?
No. ESPN is the primary broadcaster, but ABC carries selected games, and some matchups may appear on both networks. A separate streaming platform may carry a particular game in some seasons. Check each game individually because the schedule and distribution can differ by week.
It is also possible for a channel lineup or streaming plan to change. A service that carried a network in one season may not carry it under the same plan later. Verify current access close to the game rather than relying on an old channel guide or a previous season’s setup.
How to check the broadcast before kickoff
Use a short checklist on game day. It takes less time than troubleshooting after the broadcast begins.
- Find the game’s date, teams, and listed kickoff time.
- Confirm whether the broadcaster is ESPN, ABC, or a named streaming service.
- Check that the channel is included in your cable or streaming plan.
- If using an antenna, verify that the game is on your local ABC station and that reception is available.
- Open the app or turn on the channel before kickoff to confirm it works.
For a household with more than one viewer, check device limits too. Some services restrict how many screens can stream at once. Signing in on a second TV may interrupt another stream or require an account setting change.
Also consider your internet connection if you are streaming. Video quality can drop when several devices share a slow connection. Pausing large downloads and placing the router in an open, central location may help reduce buffering.
Yes, will monday night football be televised? Most U.S. games air on ESPN, while selected matchups also appear on ABC; occasional streaming arrangements can differ by game.
Before kickoff, check the listing for the exact matchup, confirm your plan includes its broadcaster, and test your TV or app. If the game is on ABC, an antenna may work; an ESPN-only broadcast requires a service that carries ESPN.