No sport is more popular than professional football, and most people think that a cable subscription is the only way to watch their favorite team.
Luckily, thanks to streaming services, that is not the case. There are numerous ways to watch NFL games without cable or a satellite TV provider.
We’ve tested the top video streaming services to find the best ways to catch all the action this season.
What Channels Are NFL Games On?
It is essential to know what networks you need in order to stream NFL games before choosing a service. Not all platforms will have everything you want, so doing your due diligence is key.
Here are the channels you must have to get live football:
- CBS – Shows Sunday games (AFC games)
- ESPN – Shows Monday Night Football
- Fox – Shows Sunday games (NFC games)
- NBC – Shows Sunday Night Football
Thursday Night Football is different for the 2022 season. It is airing exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
What Are the Best Streaming Services to Watch NFL Games Online?
A cable alternative is the best choice to watch live NFL games.
Some platforms are live services that carry dozens of TV channels. Others are on-demand platforms that also stream live sports.
As a preview, here are the top streaming services to watch football this fall.
| Service | Cost | Locals (Y/N) | Streams | DVR | Try |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fuboTV | $74.99+ | Y | 10 | 1,000 hrs. | Try |
| Sling O+B | $55+ | Varies | 4 | 50 hrs. | Try |
| Vidgo | $64.95+ | ABC/FOX | 3 | N/A | Try |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $74.99+ | Y | 20 | Unlimited | Try |
| Hulu Live | $69.99+ | Y | 2 | Unlimited | Try |
| YouTube TV | $72.99+ | Y | 3 | Unlimited | Try |
| Peacock | $4.99+ | N/A | 3 | N/A | Try |
| Paramount+ | $4.99+ | N/A | 3 | N/A | Try |
| Amazon Prime | $8.99 | N/A | 3 | N/A | Try |
You only need an internet connection to use each option, and they all work with a wide array of supported devices.
Some services offer free trials, so take advantage of those before making a final decision.
fuboTV
FuboTV is our top choice to watch live NFL games. The service carries the entire ESPN family of channels, the NFL Network, and all of your local networks.
The base package, Pro, costs $74.99 per month, plus RSN fees, and includes roughly 150 channels. This makes the streaming service a terrific choice to watch all nationally televised games as well as local games.
Other sports channels you can expect to get with the base package include:
- FS1
- FS2
- BTN
- Golf Channel
- Bally Sports regional sports networks
If you enjoy niche sports, fuboTV offers various add-on packages to get access to sports like biking and tennis. You can even get NFL RedZone with its Sports Plus add-on for an additional $10.99 per month.
FuboTV has a cloud-based DVR that allows you to record 1,000 hours of content.
Read our review of the fuboTV packages to learn more.
Sports channels included: ESPN family of channels, NFL Network, FS1, FS2, BTN, Golf Channel, Olympics Channel, TVG, beIN Sports, CBS Sports Network, and all local networks.
Best for: Top choice for NFL fans
Sling TV
Sling TV is the cheapest option to watch the NFL. The platform has two base packages – Orange and Blue. Each plan costs $40 per month.
However, with the affordability comes variations in each package’s offerings. Orange includes ESPN and ESPN2, and Blue offers the NFL Network.
You must combine the two, known as Sling Orange + Blue, to get both ESPN and NFL Network. The combined package costs $55 per month and offers roughly 50 channels.
One other challenge is that local broadcast affiliates are only available in the Blue package, albeit on a limited basis. In addition, it only includes FOX and NBC.
Here is where you can watch FOX on Sling TV.
| City | Station |
|---|---|
| New York | WNYW |
| Philadelphia | WTXF |
| Chicago | WFLD |
| Detroit | WJBK |
| Atlanta | WAGA |
| Washington, DC | WTTG |
| Houston | KRIV |
| Orlando/Daytona/Melbourne | WOFL |
| Tampa/St. Petersburg | WTVT |
| Gainesville | WOGX |
| Milwaukee | WITI |
| Minneapolis/St. Paul | KMSP |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KDFW |
| Austin | KTBC |
| Phoenix | KSAZ |
| Seattle | KCPQ |
| Los Angeles | KTTV |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KTVU |
Here is where you can watch NBC on Sling TV.
| City | Station |
|---|---|
| New York | WNBC |
| Philadelphia | WCAU |
| Chicago | WMAQ |
| Boston | WBTS |
| Washington, DC | WRC-TV |
| Miami/Ft. Lauderdale | WTVJ |
| Hartford/New Haven | WVIT |
| Dallas/Ft. Worth | KXAS |
| Los Angeles | KNBC |
| San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose | KNTV |
| San Diego | KNSD |
If you don’t mind pairing Sling with an over-the-antenna, you can save at least $15 per month compared to other live TV streaming services.
*Missing out on your local channels? Read our guide on how to watch FOX without a cable provider here to learn how to get your local affiliate.*
If you get Orange + Blue, you’ll also receive:
- FS1
- FS2
- Stadium
You can purchase the Sports Add-on for an extra $11 per month to get NFL RedZone and ten other sports channels.
Sling has a cloud-DVR setup with 50 included hours. You can upgrade to 200 hours for $5 per month.
Read our review of the Sling TV plans to learn more.
Sports channels included: ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, NFL Network, Stadium, Fox, and NBC in some locations.
Best for: Fans who want flexibility
Vidgo
Vidgo is a newer player in the cable replacement space and is a good option to watch the NFL online. The service is cheaper than options like fuboTV or Hulu Live, and the base plan costs $64.95 a month.
Vidgo carries the entire ESPN family of channels and NFL Network. Unfortunately, it only offers ABC and FOX for local channels, so you will need an antenna to get CBS.
Other sports channels Vidgo carries include:
- BTN
- The Longhorn Network
- Pac-12 Network
You can get the NFL RedZone, but you must upgrade to their more expensive tier to receive it.
It’s important to note that there is currently no DVR with Vidgo. This might be a deal-breaker for fans who want to record games.
The platform doesn’t always offer a free trial, but it’s not uncommon for it to provide some type of new customer promotion.
Read our Vidgo TV review to learn more.
Sports channels included: ESPN family of networks, FS1, FS2, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, ACCN, BTN, The Longhorn Network, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, ABC, and FOX.
Best for: Fans who want a slightly more affordable premium option
DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM is the no-contract arm of the similarly named satellite TV provider. Most people think that you can get NFL Sunday Ticket with the streaming service.
Unfortunately, that is not the case. The platform is like previously mentioned services. It offers dozens of live channels and is suitable for NFL fans.
This provider has four channel packages, with costs ranging from $74.99 to $154.99 a month. For the purpose of this post, we’ll only cover the Entertainment plan. This is the cheapest option.
The Entertainment plan includes roughly 65 networks, including all of your local channels. The lower-priced package includes ESPN and ESPN 2.
Other sports networks included are:
- FS1
- MOTOR TREND
Additionally, DIRECTV STREAM is the top choice for regional sports networks (RSNs). However, you must subscribe to the Choice tier, which costs $99.99 per month.
Read our DIRECTV STREAM review to learn more.
Sports channels included: ESPN, ESPN 2, FS1, and MOTOR TREND
Best for: Fans in large families since you get 20 simultaneous streams
Hulu with Live TV
If you want to watch the NFL online, Hulu with Live TV is an excellent choice. The service offers one base package, which costs $69.99 per month for roughly 85 channels.
Hulu Live carries each of the ESPN channels, the NFL Network, and all of your local channels. This makes it a good option to access your local TV market and other live sports.
Other sports channels Hulu Live offers include:
- ACCN
- BTN
- FS1
- FS2
- Golf Channel
You can add NFL RedZone by purchasing its Sports Add-on for $9.99, which includes five other channels.
Furthermore, Hulu Live upgraded its DVR to allow for unlimited recording capacity. You can even skip commercials on recordings.
The service offers two simultaneous streams. If you need more, you can upgrade to unlimited streams for $10 per month.
One additional perk of Hulu Live is the inclusion of the Disney bundle on all plans. This gives you both Disney+ and ESPN+.
The latter has exclusive NFL content, including airing one game that is being played in Europe during the 2022 season. The inclusion of ESPN+ also makes it a good choice for fans who want to watch college football online.
Read our Hulu Live channels list to learn more.
Sports channels included: ESPN family of channels, NFL Network, FS1, FS2, ACCN, BTN, CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel, Olympic Channel, SECN, and all local networks.
Best for: College football fans
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a close second to fuboTV to watch NFL games without cable. The streaming platform offers over 100 channels for $72.99 per month.
This gets you the full family of ESPN channels, the NFL Network, and all local networks.
Additional sports channels include:
- ACCN
- BTN
- FS1
- FS2
You can add NFL RedZone as a part of its Sports Plus add-on for $10.99 per month. This includes twelve other channels.
If you’re an NBA or MLB fan, the service also carries those respective networks. This makes it one of the best sports streaming services.
*Related: Are you a basketball fan but want to ditch your expensive contract? Read our guide on the best ways to stream NBA games and save big bucks.*
Another awesome feature YouTube TV offers is an unlimited capacity DVR. However, all recordings are only housed for nine months. This could be a deterrent for some fans.
Read our YouTube TV review to learn more about this streaming service.
Sports channels included: Entire ESPN family of channels, NFL Network, FS1, FS2, ACCN, BTN, CBS Sports Network, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, Olympics Channel, SECN, and all local channels.
Best for: NBA and MLB fans
Peacock
Peacock TV is an excellent choice for people who want to watch NFL games without a TV provider. The service only airs games that are broadcast on NBC.
This includes Sunday Night Football and any playoff games aired on the network.
Peacock is an on-demand service that exclusively carries NBCUniversal content. It even allows you to stream Yellowstone without cable and is the home of premium WWE content.
As you can see, the service is relatively low cost.
| Feature | Peacock Premium | Peacock Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price/Mo. | $4.99 | $9.99 |
| Price/Yr. | $49.99 | $99.99 |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| Mobile Downloads | No | Yes |
| Original Content | Yes | Yes |
| Live Sports | Yes | Yes |
| Free Trial | No | No |
You must sign up for Peacock Premium, at a minimum, to watch NFL games. Read our Peacock TV review to learn more.
Best for: People who want a cheap way to watch nationally televised games
Paramount+
Paramount+ (formerly known as CBS All-Access) is a fantastic option for AFC fans.
The on-demand streaming service provides access to your local CBS affiliate if you upgrade to their premium ad-free package.
As you can see below, the price is pretty affordable.
| Subscription Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Ads (Essential Plan) | $4.99 | $49.99 |
| Ad-Free (Premium Plan) | $9.99 | $99.99 |
The app provides access to over 30,000 TV shows and 2,500 movies. When you upgrade to the ad-free option, you can watch anything on your local CBS channel, including football games.
If your favorite NFL team is in the AFC, this service might be the ideal choice for you.
However, you won’t get other games with this platform. You can pair it with an antenna or a service like Sling to catch more action.
Paramount+ may be a good pairing with Peacock if you don’t need every game. Read our Peacock TV vs. Paramount+ analysis to see how they compare.
Read our Paramount+ review to learn more.
Best for: AFC fans
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football for the 2022 season. During the 2021 season, Thursday night games were simulcast on NFL Network and FOX.
If you’re a Prime member, getting the ability to stream regular season games is a nice perk.
Amazon Prime costs $139 per year. Alternately, you can sign up for the standalone video service for $8.99 a month.
You won’t get other games, but it is a good choice if you want to keep your costs somewhat low.
Amazon is currently trying to get NFL Sunday Ticket once its contract with DIRECTV is over at the end of the 2022 season. If it does, it will be your best choice to get out-of-market NFL games.
Best for: Amazon Prime members
How Can I Watch NFL Games for Free Without Cable?
An over-the-air antenna is the best way to watch NFL games live. Outside of an affordable one-time cost, you can watch games on all your local networks free for life.
You can catch the following with an antenna:
- In-market Sunday afternoon games
- Sunday Night Football
Mohu Leaf is our favorite over-the-air antenna. We have used it for years, and it provides quality service. Use the code FRUGALRULES10 to receive ten percent off your antenna.
An antenna is the cheapest way to watch anything aired in your local TV market, from pre-season games to regular season games and the playoffs.
Can You Watch NFL Games on Amazon Prime?
Yes, it is possible to view NFL action on Amazon Prime Video. However, you can only stream Thursday Night Football on the service.
It is not possible to watch any other games during the 2022 season on Amazon.
Can You Live Stream NFL for Free?
No, you can’t access the NFL live stream for free. Websites that promote the ability to do so are often filled with spam or are not trustworthy.
Some apps will promote the ability to stream live games for free, but it’s only highlights and not full games.
What Package Allows You to Watch All NFL Games?
There is no service that allows you to watch every game. Alternately, NFL Sunday Ticket is the only resource to watch all out-of-market Sunday games.
Regardless of where you live, you can watch any game you wish with Sunday Ticket. Unfortunately, that plan is currently only available with DIRECTV STREAM.
Their contract is expiring at the end of the 2022 season. Amazon and Apple TV+ are the two leading contenders to get the package starting with the 2023 season.
Depending on the cost, you could pair that with a service that lets you stream ESPN and potentially get every game.
Is the NFL Channel Free With Amazon Prime?
Amazon does not currently offer any live TV channels, so it’s not possible to get the NFL Channel on the platform.
Read our guide on the best choices to watch NFL Network without cable to learn how to get the channel.
Additionally, Amazon doesn’t currently air much for live sports. As a result, you will need to look elsewhere to get what you want.
How to Watch the NFL Playoffs Without Cable
Having access to the playoffs is essential for any NFL fan. Thankfully, you don’t need cable to watch the NFL playoffs or the Super Bowl.
The playoffs start on January 14, 2023 for the 2022 NFL season, with the Super Bowl taking place on February 12, 2023.
While ESPN and Nickelodeon will simulcast several games, all of the games will air on local stations. An over-the-air antenna will be sufficient to watch each of the playoff games.
If you don’t have an antenna or cable TV, you will need a live TV streaming service that carries all of the local networks.
This makes best fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, and DIRECTV STREAM the best choices to get all playoff games.
If you don’t need access to all of the action, Peacock Premium and the ad-free version of Paramount+ will let you watch games.
FOX is airing the Super Bowl for the 2022 season, with the potential of it being simulcast on its free service, Tubi.
What is NFL+?
The NFL is in the final stages of launching its own streaming service, NFL+, in July of 2022. The service will have two packages, one that costs $5 a month and a premium tier for $10 a month.
The cheaper plan will air live local regular season and playoff games plus game audio. It will also offer access to all live out-of-market preseason action.
The premium tier includes all of that plus full game, ad-free, next day replays, and coaches films. NFL+ will only allow subscribers to watch live games on a device or tablets.
Aside from the preseason action and ad-free replay of games, NFL+ offers minimal value. But, if you like watching your favorite team play preseason games, or often miss local games, it might be for you.
You can test out the service with a seven-day free trial. Read our NFL+ review to learn more.
Summary
It used to be that the only way you could watch football was with a cable contract. That is no longer the case. You can cut the cord and stream ESPN and the NFL Network with most providers.
While not all providers offer local networks, you can get those with an antenna for a one-time cost. The best part is that no sports streaming services require a contract, so you can cancel at any time.
If you want to watch live NFL games without paying $200+ per month, you can do it and pocket the savings for other needs.
What other channels do you feel like you can’t live without?
