How to watch NFL games live: Your 2025 streaming guide

Where to watch NFL games

Sunday morning and afternoon NFL games are broadcast in select markets on CBS and Fox, based on local teams. If you want to watch an out-of-market game, you’ll need the NFL Sunday Ticket. Monday night games are usually on NBC and occasionally on ESPN. A few games were also scheduled to air on NFL Network in 2024, which will also likely be the case in 2025/26. All Thursday Night Football airs on Amazon Prime.

DIRECTV STREAM: Full channel lineup for sports fans

DIRECTV STREAM is a dish-free service with every channel you need to watch nationally broadcast games. Plus, it’s one of just two providers on our list to have a contract with FanDuel Sports Networks for more local team coverage. Purchase the Choice plan or above, and you’ll get NFL Network and regional sports networks (RSNs). Every DIRECTV STREAM plan has local channels in most markets. 

In addition to NFL content, DIRECTV STREAM is good for accessing NHL Network, NBA TV, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). All customers get unlimited Cloud DVR, plus unlimited streams within your household. You get three simultaneous streams away from home. 

Fubo: Comprehensive sports coverage with NFL Network and RedZone

Fubo started as a soccer platform, and its commitment to sports content is still evident in its lineup. Not only will you get the local channels you need to watch NFL games live, but NFL Network and ESPN are included in all three Fubo plans. Fubo is also the second and last platform on our list to carry local FanDuel Sports Networks. These are included in the Pro and Elite plans, subject to a regional sports fee that depends on the ara served.

Other sports channels available on Fubo include NFL Redzone, FS1, FS2, ESPN2, Fox Soccer Plus, Big Ten Network and Golf Channel. If you get the Sports Lite add-on, you’ll also unlock MLB Network, NHL Network and NBA TV. Plus, while customers used to get just 1,000 hours, Fubo currently offers unlimited Cloud DVR storage. Fubo can be streamed on up to 10 devices within your home network, plus 3 on the go.

Hulu + Live TV: NFL action plus on-demand movies and shows

Hulu + Live TV has a single plan that makes it pretty easy to watch the NFL. Not only do you get ESPN, CBS, Fox and NBC in the lineup, but NFL Network is also included -- you don’t need an extra. The Sports add-on also puts NFL RedZone on your channel guide and can be purchased month-by-month, so you can cancel it when the NFL season is over if you want to. Hulu + Live TV also includes ESPN Plus as a part of your service, which means you get additional NFL highlights and analysis for free. 

Other sports networks in the Hulu + Live TV plan include MLB Network, CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network. Unfortunately, you can’t get NHL Network or NBA here. However, all customers do get the Hulu video-on-demand library and unlimited Cloud DVR. You can also stream on two devices at the same time.

Sling TV: A budget-friendly way to watch live NFL games

Sling TV doesn’t have as many channels as its competitors, but it does have the best price point. In terms of NFL game coverage, some markets will have more opportunities for live games than others. In areas like Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, you can get ABC, Fox and NBC. CBS is not yet offered by Sling TV. To access local networks and the NFL Network, you’ll need either Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue. Meanwhile, ESPN is on Sling Orange. This division of channels makes the combined Sling Orange & Blue package the best option for NFL viewers.

Other channels on Sling TV include FS1, ESPN2 and TNT. Each Sling TV plan also offers a Sports Extra with channels like MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, NHL Network, NBA TV, Tennis Channel and NFL RedZone. Sling TV’s standard DVR offering is 50 hours, but a 200-hour upgrade is available. Sling Orange & Blue customers can stream on up to four devices at the same time. 

YouTube TV: Full NFL access with unlimited DVR and Sunday Ticket

Like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV only has one channel plan. It includes local channels, NFL Network, ESPN and all local channels, making this a great option for watching NFL live. Plus, YouTube TV has some unique game-watching features, like Key Plays. This is a real-time function that lets you catch up on game highlights at any point in a live event. Other channels you’ll find here include FS1, FS2, ESPN2, NBA TV, CBS Sports Network and Fox Sports. The bad news is MLB Network is unavailable.

YouTube TV is also the only place to buy the NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market football games, and YouTube TV customers typically get a discount. The platform also has a paid Sports Plus add-on, which offers NFL RedZone, Fox Soccer Plus, Billiard TV, FanDuel TV and more. YouTube TV comes with unlimited Cloud DVR storage and three simultaneous streams.

Sunday Night Football on Peacock

When Sunday Night Football is on NBC, you stream it on Peacock with either of the app’s two plans. In addition to NFL games, the platform offers access to other live sporting events. For instance, Peacock Plus offers your local NBC affiliate 24/7, which gives you access to NBC golf and soccer coverage. 

Sports found on Peacock live channels and the sports library include Big Ten football, Big Ten Men’s and Women’s basketball, the French Open tennis tournament, rugby, Premier League soccer and college hockey.

Thursday Night Football on Prime Video

Thursday Night Football was exclusive to Prime Video in 2024 and will be again in the 2025/26 season. You’ll need a Prime membership to access the games. The good news is that if you already have Amazon Prime for deliveries, Prime Video is already included in your plan. You just need to download the app to a smart TV or streaming device or log in with a computer.

FAQ

How do I watch every NFL game without cable?

You can watch NFL games by combining a streaming service with the NFL Sunday Ticket. A live streaming platform like YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV will give you access to in-market games, while NFL Sunday Ticket offers all out-of-market action. 

Can you get an NFL Sunday Ticket without getting YouTube TV?

Yes. You can purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket independently. YouTube TV customers do get a discount, however. 

How can I watch NFL games for free?

If you have an OTA antenna for your TV, you may be able to watch games airing on Fox, NBC and CBS for free. However, you’ll need a paid subscription for games airing on platforms like Amazon Prime and ESPN.