Updated for the 2026 NFL Season
In the digital age, "Where can I watch the game?" is no longer a simple question. The National Football League has distributed its rights across a web of terrestrial broadcasters, cable networks, and digital streaming giants. This guide serves as the definitive directory of official, legal platforms approved by the NFL for live game distribution.
These are the traditional networks that have carried NFL games for decades. In 2026, they also have robust streaming components.
What they air: Most AFC Sunday afternoon games, plus select playoff games and the Super Bowl (on rotation).
Official Streaming Platform: Paramount+
Note: You can also authenticate via the CBS Sports App using your cable/satellite credentials.
What they air: Most NFC Sunday afternoon games, "America's Game of the Week," and select playoffs.
Official Streaming Platform: Fox Sports App
What they air: The premier primetime game of the week.
Official Streaming Platform: Peacock
What they air: Monday night games and select late-season Saturday doubleheaders.
Official Streaming Platform: ESPN App / ESPN+
The NFL has aggressively moved into the streaming space, selling exclusive rights to tech giants. You cannot watch these games on traditional cable (except in the local markets of the playing teams).
Since 2022, Amazon is the exclusive home of TNF. Prime Video offers unique features like "X-Ray" for real-time stats and alternative audio feeds (e.g., Dude Perfect).
Access: Included with Amazon Prime membership or standalone Prime Video subscription.
New for the 2024-2026 cycle, Netflix has secured the rights to broadcast marquee matchups on Christmas Day. This marks the streaming giant's first major foray into live football.
Access: Requires any standard Netflix subscription plan.
These services are designed for the "super fan" who wants more than just what's on local TV.
The official streaming service of the NFL, available within the NFL App.
Hosted on YouTube and YouTube TV. This is the only way to watch Sunday afternoon games that are not being broadcast in your local area.
If you are traveling or living abroad, the landscape is much simpler.
In most countries (excluding China and Canada), the NFL has partnered with DAZN to distribute Game Pass.
Sometimes you can't watch, but you can listen.
| Platform | Game Types | Devices | Requires Cable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | AFC (In-Market) | TV, Mobile, Web | No |
| Peacock | SNF + Exclusives | TV, Mobile, Web | No |
| Amazon Prime | TNF | TV, Mobile, Web | No |
| NFL+ (Basic) | Local/Prime | Mobile/Tablet ONLY | No |
| Sunday Ticket | Out-of-Market | TV, Mobile, Web | No |
| Fox Sports App | NFC (In-Market) | TV, Mobile, Web | Yes |
Historically, the NFL App offered free local game streaming on mobile (sponsored by Verizon). This has been replaced by NFL+, which is a paid subscription service. However, some carrier-specific deals may still exist.
In the US? No. The rights are too fragmented. The closest thing to "everything" is subscribing to YouTube TV (for local channels and ESPN) and adding Sunday Ticket (for out-of-market games), plus Prime Video (for TNF) and Peacock (for exclusives).
An official platform has a direct contract with the NFL. They receive a high-quality, low-latency feed directly from the stadium or network truck. Illegal streams ("pirate sites") steal these feeds and rebroadcast them, often adding malware, delay, and poor compression.
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