For many sports fans, the thought of cutting the cord from cable or satellite TV conjures up one major concern: how will I watch NFL football? The good news is that streaming, the process of watching video content over the internet instead of traditional broadcast or cable, makes it entirely possible to catch every touchdown, tackle, and game-winning field goal without a costly cable subscription. This guide helps you navigate the options for NFL streaming without cable in 2024, ensuring you find the best way to stream NFL games that fits your budget and viewing preferences.
Disclaimer: Live TV streaming prices and channel lineups change frequently. Local channel availability varies by location. Always use the free trial to verify your local channels are included before committing. Sports blackout rules may affect some live events.
Understanding NFL Streaming Essentials
To watch nearly every NFL game without a cable subscription, you need access to specific channels. The primary networks broadcasting NFL games include: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Sunday afternoon games primarily air on CBS and Fox. NBC hosts Sunday Night Football, while ESPN carries Monday Night Football. Thursday Night Football games mostly stream on Amazon Prime Video, with some also airing on Fox or NFL Network.
Regional sports networks (RSNs) are not typically critical for national NFL games, but they do carry other sports. A key concept to understand is “blackouts,” which occur when a specific game is not available for local broadcast in your area, usually because a local team is playing at home and the game did not sell out, or due to rights restrictions. However, NFL blackouts are less common now than in the past, thanks to policy changes.
Cord-cutting, the act of canceling traditional cable or satellite TV in favor of streaming services, offers flexibility and cost savings. Many services are month-to-month, requiring no long-term contracts. You can stream on a smart TV (a television with built-in internet connection and apps), a streaming device (a small box or stick like Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV that adds streaming to any TV), a computer, or mobile devices.
YouTube TV: Your All-Around NFL Hub
YouTube TV stands out as a top contender for NFL streaming due to its comprehensive channel lineup and excellent features. It consistently ranks high among streaming services, with publications like CNET often recommending it for its broad appeal.
NFL Channel Lineup: YouTube TV includes all the essential NFL channels: CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network, ensuring you catch local Sunday games, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and many Thursday Night Football matchups. Availability of local CBS, Fox, and NBC affiliates varies by region, but YouTube TV has wide coverage across the United States.
DVR Features: You receive unlimited cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record as many shows and games as you want, and keep them for nine months. This means you can record every NFL game and watch it later, fast-forwarding through commercials if you prefer. This is a significant advantage for football fans who cannot watch games live.
Simultaneous Streams: The base plan includes three simultaneous streams, meaning three different people can watch content on separate devices at the same time. This works well for families or households with multiple viewers.
Cost: YouTube TV’s base plan costs around $73 per month. While not the cheapest option, its extensive channel list, unlimited DVR, and strong local channel support make it a valuable package for NFL fans.
“When considering a live TV streaming service for NFL, prioritize broad local channel coverage and a robust DVR. These two features are crucial for a consistent football viewing experience.”
Hulu + Live TV: A Strong Contender for NFL
Hulu + Live TV bundles Hulu’s extensive on-demand library with live television channels, providing a strong option for NFL enthusiasts who also want a vast catalog of movies and TV shows. “On-demand” means you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want, from their library.
NFL Channel Lineup: Hulu + Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. Crucially, it also includes NFL Network, giving you access to pre-game analysis, post-game breakdowns, and some live games. Local channel availability for CBS, Fox, and NBC is generally strong but always verify using their website’s local channel checker.
DVR Features: The service comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR storage. You can upgrade to 200 hours for an additional monthly fee if you need more space for recording games and other content. This allows you to record games and skip commercials, although the base storage might be limiting for dedicated fans who record multiple games each week.
Simultaneous Streams: Hulu + Live TV allows for two simultaneous streams. You can upgrade to an “Unlimited Screens” add-on, which lets you stream on as many devices as you like at home, and three mobile devices outside your home, for an extra charge.
Cost: The base Hulu + Live TV plan costs about $77 per month and includes the Disney+ and ESPN+ streaming services, adding significant value for entertainment and sports beyond NFL.
Sling TV: The Budget-Friendly NFL Option
Sling TV serves as an excellent budget-friendly choice for cord-cutters prioritizing cost savings. It offers two main packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, or a combined option, allowing you to tailor your channel lineup.
NFL Channel Lineup:
- Sling Orange ($40/month): Includes ESPN, critical for Monday Night Football. Does not include Fox or CBS.
- Sling Blue ($40/month): Includes Fox and NBC (in select markets), and NFL Network. Does not include ESPN.
- Sling Orange & Blue ($55/month): The best option for NFL fans on Sling, as it combines all channels from both packages, giving you ESPN, NFL Network, and Fox/NBC in applicable areas. It still lacks CBS, however, which carries a significant portion of Sunday afternoon games. You might need an antenna for CBS.
Local channel availability for Fox and NBC on Sling Blue is more limited than on other services. You often need to be in a major market to receive them.
DVR Features: Sling TV includes 50 hours of cloud DVR storage in its base plans. You can upgrade to 200 hours of DVR storage for an extra $5 per month, a useful add-on for recording multiple NFL games.
Simultaneous Streams: Sling Orange allows one stream. Sling Blue allows three streams. Sling Orange & Blue combines these, allowing one stream for Orange channels (like ESPN) and three streams for Blue channels (like NFL Network, Fox, NBC).
Cost: Sling Orange & Blue at $55 per month is the most affordable way to get a solid mix of NFL channels, even with the potential need for an antenna for CBS. For cost-conscious viewers, this presents a compelling option, making it a frequent recommendation by PCMag for budget-minded users.
fuboTV: For the True Sports Enthusiast
fuboTV began as a sports-focused streaming service and continues to cater heavily to sports fans, offering a vast array of channels, including many regional sports networks.
NFL Channel Lineup: fuboTV’s base Pro plan includes CBS, Fox, and NBC (for local game coverage), along with NFL Network. It notably lacks ESPN, which is a major drawback for Monday Night Football fans. You can get ESPN through an add-on package, the Fubo Extra, for an additional fee.
DVR Features: The Pro plan comes with 1,000 hours of cloud DVR storage, an incredibly generous amount that allows you to record an entire season of NFL games and much more. Recordings are saved indefinitely, or until you delete them.
Simultaneous Streams: fuboTV allows up to 10 simultaneous streams at home and two on the go. This is ideal for large families or households with many devices and different viewing habits.
Cost: The fuboTV Pro plan costs around $80 per month. While higher priced, it delivers an extensive sports lineup (outside of ESPN in the base package) and excellent DVR capabilities, making it attractive for multi-sport households.
DirecTV Stream: A Premium NFL Experience
DirecTV Stream, formerly AT&T TV, positions itself as a premium live TV streaming service. It often appeals to those transitioning from traditional cable, offering a familiar interface and comprehensive channel packages.
NFL Channel Lineup: DirecTV Stream’s base Entertainment package ($80/month) includes CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. However, it requires an upgrade to the Choice package ($109/month) to get NFL Network. If you want NFL Network, your cost commitment significantly increases.
DVR Features: The service provides unlimited cloud DVR storage, which keeps recordings for nine months. This feature is competitive with YouTube TV, offering plenty of space for every NFL game.
Simultaneous Streams: DirecTV Stream offers up to 20 simultaneous streams at home and three out-of-home streams, making it the most generous option for large households or heavy multi-device users.
Cost: Starting at $80 per month for the Entertainment package and increasing to $109 per month for the Choice package (which includes NFL Network and regional sports networks), DirecTV Stream is the most expensive option. This premium pricing caters to viewers who want a broad cable-like experience with strong local and national channel coverage, and who do not mind the higher cost for extensive sports and entertainment, as detailed by sources like Tom’s Guide.
Philo: When NFL is Not the Priority
Philo offers a unique value proposition for cord-cutters looking for budget entertainment. It provides a selection of lifestyle, entertainment, and factual channels at a very low price. However, it is essential to understand its limitations for sports fans.
NFL Channel Lineup: Philo does NOT include any major sports channels, including CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, or NFL Network. It is designed for viewers who are not interested in live sports, news, or local programming.
DVR Features: Philo offers unlimited DVR storage for up to one year, which is impressive for its price point. However, without the necessary NFL channels, this feature is not relevant for football viewing.
Simultaneous Streams: You can watch on up to three devices simultaneously.
Cost: At approximately $28 per month, Philo is an incredibly affordable entertainment option. While it does not support NFL streaming, it serves as a good example of how different services cater to different needs, and it might be a supplementary service for those who get their NFL fix elsewhere (like with an antenna for local games and a separate ESPN+ subscription for other sports).
Comparing Live TV Streaming Services for NFL Football
To help you choose the best live TV streaming service for NFL football, here is a comparison of the key features relevant to football fans:
| Service | Base Price (approx.) | Key NFL Channels (CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network) | Local Channels | Cloud DVR | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $73/month | All included | Excellent coverage | Unlimited, 9 months | 3 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $77/month | All included | Good coverage | 50 hours (upgrade to 200) | 2 (upgrade to unlimited) |
| Sling Orange & Blue | $55/month | ESPN, NFL Network, Fox/NBC in select markets (No CBS) | Limited (Fox/NBC in select cities) | 50 hours (upgrade to 200) | 1-3 (channel dependent) |
| fuboTV Pro | $80/month | CBS, FOX, NBC, NFL Network (No ESPN in base) | Excellent coverage | 1,000 hours, unlimited duration | 10 at home, 2 on-go |
| DirecTV Stream (Entertainment) | $80/month | CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN (NFL Network requires upgrade) | Excellent coverage | Unlimited, 9 months | 20 at home, 3 on-go |
Unlocking Local Channels: Your NFL Game Day Priority
Local channels, specifically CBS, Fox, and NBC, carry the bulk of NFL games, especially on Sundays. Without these, you will miss significant portions of the football season. Live TV streaming services secure agreements with local affiliates, but availability can vary significantly based on your exact ZIP code.
How to check local channel availability:
- Visit the website of the streaming service you are considering (e.g., YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV).
- Look for a “Check local channels” or “Enter your ZIP code” tool.
- Input your ZIP code to see a precise list of local channels available in your area.
- Always verify this information during a free trial period before committing to a subscription.
If a service does not offer a particular local channel, consider combining it with a good old-fashioned over-the-air (OTA) antenna. An antenna provides free access to local broadcast channels in HD quality, often a perfect complement for filling gaps in your streaming lineup, particularly for CBS games.
Mastering DVR Features: Never Miss a Moment
A digital video recorder (DVR) allows you to record live television programs and watch them at a later time. For NFL fans, a robust cloud DVR is invaluable. It means you do not have to rearrange your schedule around game times. Key aspects to consider include:
- Storage Limits: How many hours of content can you record? YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream offer unlimited storage, which is fantastic for recording every game. fuboTV also provides a generous 1,000 hours. Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV start with 50 hours, which may require careful management but can be upgraded.
- Simultaneous Recordings: Most cloud DVRs allow you to record multiple shows at once without conflict, unlike older physical DVRs.
- Recording Duration: How long do recordings last? Some services keep them for a few months (YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream), while others hold them for a year (Philo) or indefinitely (fuboTV).
- Ad Skipping: The ability to fast-forward through commercials is a highly desired feature for many sports viewers. Most cloud DVRs allow this, letting you get straight to the action.
For an NFL fanatic, unlimited DVR storage with long retention is a major advantage, ensuring you can catch up on every game, even if you are out on Sundays.
NFL Add-Ons and Premium Sports Packages
Beyond the base channel lineups, many streaming services offer add-on packages to enhance your sports viewing experience or access premium content. These can include:
- NFL RedZone: This popular channel, available as an add-on on many services (like Sling TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream), provides live look-ins at every scoring play from all Sunday afternoon games. It is a must-have for fantasy football players and fans who want to see all the action without flipping channels.
- Sports Extra Packages: These typically include niche sports channels or additional regional sports networks. For NFL, channels like Fox Sports 2, CBS Sports Network, or specialty college sports networks might be included.
- Premium Channels: While not directly NFL-related, services often allow you to add HBO, Showtime, Starz, or Cinemax. These are ad-free premium channels that offer exclusive movies and series, expanding your overall entertainment options.
Factor in the cost of these add-ons when calculating your total monthly streaming budget, as they can significantly increase the base price.
The NFL Sunday Ticket Experience
For the ultimate NFL fan who wants to watch every single out-of-market Sunday afternoon game, NFL Sunday Ticket is the premium solution. It allows you to watch games that are not broadcast on your local CBS or Fox affiliates. In 2023, Google’s YouTube TV took over the exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, a significant shift from its long-standing home on DirecTV. This means for the 2024 season and beyond:
- YouTube TV Subscribers: You can add NFL Sunday Ticket to your existing YouTube TV base subscription. This creates a powerful combination, giving you local games, national primetime games, and every out-of-market game, all within the YouTube TV app.
- Non-YouTube TV Subscribers: You can purchase NFL Sunday Ticket as a standalone package through YouTube Primetime Channels, without needing a YouTube TV base subscription. This is ideal for those who prefer another live TV service but still want access to all out-of-market games.
The cost for NFL Sunday Ticket is substantial, typically several hundred dollars for the full season. It is an investment for the most dedicated fans who do not want to miss any action from their favorite out-of-market teams. Evaluate if your need for out-of-market games justifies the additional cost on top of your live TV streaming service.
Choosing Your Champion: Best Picks for Different NFL Fans
The “best” streaming service for NFL football depends on your specific needs, budget, and viewing habits. Here are tailored recommendations:
- Best Overall for Comprehensive NFL Coverage: YouTube TV. With all major NFL channels, unlimited cloud DVR, strong local channel support, and the option to integrate NFL Sunday Ticket, YouTube TV offers the most complete NFL experience. It is an excellent choice for serious football fans and families.
- Best for Budget-Conscious NFL Fans: Sling TV (Orange & Blue). If you prioritize saving money and are willing to potentially use an antenna for CBS games, Sling Orange & Blue offers a strong package of ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, and NBC at a very competitive price.
- Best for Sports Enthusiasts (Beyond NFL): fuboTV. For households that watch a wide variety of sports, fuboTV provides an extensive lineup of sports channels, including many RSNs, and a massive DVR. Just remember to factor in the Fubo Extra add-on if you cannot live without ESPN for Monday Night Football.
- Best for Bundling Entertainment: Hulu + Live TV. This service is ideal if you want a robust NFL package along with a massive on-demand library and subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+. It offers excellent value for both live TV and extensive entertainment.
- Best for Large Households and Premium Cable Replacements: DirecTV Stream. If you need the most simultaneous streams, a traditional channel lineup feel, and do not mind a higher price point, DirecTV Stream delivers a premium experience. Be aware that NFL Network requires a more expensive package.
Before making a final decision, take advantage of the free trials offered by most of these services. This allows you to test local channel availability, evaluate the user interface, and ensure the service meets your specific NFL viewing needs before you commit financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFL games for free without cable?
You can watch some NFL games for free using an over-the-air antenna for local CBS, Fox, and NBC broadcasts. These include many Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football, and some Thursday Night Football games. However, you will not get ESPN for Monday Night Football or NFL Network content, and you will miss out on out-of-market games.
Do I need NFL Sunday Ticket to watch all NFL games?
No, you do not need NFL Sunday Ticket to watch *all* NFL games. NFL Sunday Ticket is specifically for watching out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. You can watch local market games, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football through various live TV streaming services that carry CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Sunday Ticket is an add-on for those who want comprehensive access to games outside their local broadcast area.
What about Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video?
Since 2022, Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to most Thursday Night Football games. This means you need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch these games live. Some games may also air on Fox or NFL Network, which are available on various live TV streaming services. If you already have Amazon Prime, you are set for TNF. If not, it is another subscription to consider for complete coverage.
Are there any contract requirements for these streaming services?
Most live TV streaming services, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, fuboTV, and Philo, operate on a month-to-month basis. This means you can cancel or change your plan at any time without penalty or long-term contracts, offering significant flexibility compared to traditional cable or satellite providers.
How do sports blackouts affect NFL streaming?
Sports blackouts, while less common for NFL than other sports, can still occur. They prevent a game from being shown in a specific local market, typically when a local team’s home game is not sold out. Live TV streaming services are subject to these same blackout rules. When a game is blacked out, it means no local TV provider, including streaming services, can show it in that specific region. Your best bet to avoid blackouts for specific teams is to utilize NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market games, but even then, local blackouts for *your* team might still apply if you are in the local market.
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