You want to catch some football, but you’re not sure how to watch the NFL without cable. Good news: for the first time, fans can stream every NFL game without a cable subscription — often at a lower cost than a traditional package.
If you cut the cord a while back like many sports fans, the constantly changing streaming landscape and shifting broadcast contracts can make it tricky to know how to watch NFL games without cable. Below we break down every option you’ll need to follow the full season (even without cable), including:
- NFL Network
- NFL+
- NFL Sunday Ticket (via YouTube)
- Amazon Prime Video
- FuboTV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Paramount+
- Digital media players
Earn Some Quick Cash to Cover Streaming Costs
Although you’ve said goodbye to cable, streaming platforms still cost money. If you’re wondering how to afford subscriptions after cutting the cord, we’ve got suggestions to help you pay for them. Here are a few simple ways to make extra money so you don’t stress about your streaming bills.
How to Watch NFL Games Without Cable
Beyond tuning into individual broadcasts on network TV, the NFL offers three main viewing packages.
1. NFL Network
NFL Network is the league’s own TV and streaming channel — not a separate standalone service. It carries one exclusive live game each week (often a Thursday night game or an international matchup) along with year-round NFL programming, highlights and analysis. If you’re trying to figure out how to watch NFL games without cable, several streaming bundles include NFL Network, such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling and YouTube TV.
The NFL Network is also available free through certain devices like Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku, and you can sign in via the NFL App on iOS and Android or on game consoles like Xbox One and PlayStation. The channel airs one live game per week and replays of the previous week’s contests. It’s especially useful if you want more than just local and primetime matchups, since it provides special games and year-round football content even in the offseason.
2. NFL+
NFL+ is the league’s official streaming offering, built for fans who want flexibility. The basic plan (about $6.99/month) streams in-market live and primetime games to your mobile device or tablet, includes live audio for every contest, and offers full replays of all NFL games. There are also condensed 40–45 minute edits that show only the snaps, which is handy if you’re figuring out how to watch NFL games without cable but often watch on the go.
If you want deeper coverage, NFL+ Premium (around $14.99/month) adds full and condensed replays, Coaches Film, and NFL RedZone on Sundays. That’s a great option for watching out-of-market games without subscribing to an expensive TV package.
NFL+ also lets you pick the audio feed, so you can follow the national broadcast or your local team announcers. It’s one of the more budget-friendly ways to stream NFL games, though live video is limited to mobile and tablet devices, making it ideal for fans who primarily watch away from the living room.
3. NFL Sunday Ticket
NFL Sunday Ticket is now sold through YouTube and YouTube TV, giving viewers access to every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game that airs on CBS and Fox. If your favorite team isn’t in your local area, Sunday Ticket is essential — perfect for Bears fans living down South or Seahawks fans on the East Coast trying to figure out how to watch NFL games without cable while seeing every snap.
Pricing is simpler than it used to be: a standalone season subscription through YouTube Primetime Channels typically runs between $378 and $480 for returning users (and around $276 for new customers). Subscribers to YouTube TV can add Sunday Ticket to their bundle and enjoy features like cloud DVR and integration with live TV. YouTube periodically runs seasonal promotions that can lower the price below the standard rate, so keep an eye out for deals to make this the cheapest way to watch NFL games if you time it right.
You can also add NFL RedZone for roughly $10.99/month, which delivers seven hours of continuous scoring highlights each Sunday so you don’t miss any touchdowns — a worthwhile add-on for many viewers.
Other Ways to Watch Live NFL Games
Aside from NFL-branded packages, several streaming platforms and broadcast options let you watch live games without cable. These alternatives are worth exploring if you’re figuring out how to watch football without cable and want broad coverage throughout the season.
Here are some of the most popular choices:
- Amazon Prime Video: Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Amazon and is included with a Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year). Amazon also airs special matchups, so Prime is a good pick if you already use it for shopping or streaming.
- Peacock: Peacock carries NBC’s broadcasts, meaning Sunday Night Football and certain late-season exclusives. Plans begin around $8/month, making it an affordable way to catch primetime games.
- FuboTV: Fubo is sports-centric and includes NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN and NFL Network. Pricing starts near $85/month, which is pricier but comes with more than 100 channels, including other sports like MLB, NBA and international soccer.
- Hulu + Live TV: Hulu’s live bundle (about $83/month) covers major networks — NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN and NFL Network — and includes Disney+ and ESPN+ in some bundles. Add the Sports add-on for NFL RedZone access.
- Paramount+: Paramount+ streams every NFL game shown on CBS, which typically includes many AFC matchups. Plans start at $8/month or $13/month for the tier that includes Showtime and local CBS access.
- Digital Antennas & Media Players: An HDTV antenna provides free access to local over-the-air broadcasts on CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC. Streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick or Apple TV let you use network apps (with a login) to watch the same broadcasts if you prefer streaming.
Whichever path you pick, these options make it much easier to watch NFL action without maintaining a costly cable subscription.
4. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive rights to Thursday Night Football. That means Prime is the only place to stream those Thursday games live. The benefit: there’s no extra fee beyond your Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month or $139/year).
Amazon also offers discounted monthly Prime rates for students ($7.49) and qualifying government assistance recipients ($6.99). Plus, Thursday Night Football is simulcast in each team’s local market, so Prime is a solid choice for watching NFL games without cable when your team plays on a Thursday.
5. FuboTV
FuboTV (starting around $84.99/month) is one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for football fans, offering regionally televised games and access to NFL RedZone. A typical plan includes CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network — essentially what you’d get with cable. What sets Fubo apart is its broad sports lineup beyond football, including MLB, NHL, NBA and international soccer, so it’s an excellent pick for general sports fans.
6. Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV (about $82.99/month with ads) provides the same broadcast games you’d see via cable and includes NFL Network, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. With the Sports add-on ($9.99), you can get NFL RedZone and coverage of Monday Night Football.
7. Paramount+
Paramount+ is the go-to choice for following AFC teams since it carries CBS’ NFL broadcasts. The Essential plan is about $7.99/month and streams the national CBS feed, though it may not always include your local CBS affiliate.
The Paramount+ with Showtime tier (around $12.99/month) adds your local CBS station and Showtime content, plus an ad-free experience. Both plans let you stream live games through the Paramount+ app on devices like Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.
You can download Paramount+ from the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon or Roku.
8. Peacock
Peacock is NBC’s streaming service and the best place to watch Sunday Night Football. It streams every NBC primetime game, select playoff matchups and an exclusive Wild Card game each season.
Peacock is also one of the more budget-friendly options, with plans starting around $7.99/month with ads or $16.99/month for an ad-free experience. If you already follow NBC’s primetime coverage, Peacock keeps you connected without cable.
9. Digital Media Players
If you want a low-cost solution, an HDTV antenna is among the easiest ways to watch NFL games. Over-the-air broadcasts give you access to CBS (AFC home games), FOX (NFC home games), NBC (Sunday Night Football), ABC and occasionally ESPN through simulcasts.
You won’t be able to choose every matchup — networks decide what airs in your market — but an antenna is a great option for local coverage without a subscription. For streaming, devices like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV let you sign into network apps and view the same broadcasts online.
Decisions, Decisions: Picking the Best Way to Watch Football Without Cable
When choosing a service for NFL games, think about:
- Which specific games the service carries
- What additional NFL features it offers (alternative audio, replays, live programming, etc.)
- What the rest of your household watches
- Your location — out-of-market fans often need Sunday Ticket, while local viewers may be fine with NFL+ or a live TV bundle
Most streaming platforms include more than sports, so consider whether family members will also use the service for dramas, comedies or documentaries.
FAQ: How to Watch NFL Football Without Cable
Cord-cutting doesn’t mean you have to miss football. Below are brief answers to common questions about streaming NFL games without cable.
Yes — you can watch NFL games without cable using streaming platforms or an over-the-air antenna. Services like Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Paramount+ stream live broadcasts online.
You can watch some NFL games for free with an HDTV antenna that picks up local channels like CBS, FOX and NBC. Many streaming providers also offer short free trials during the season.
There’s no permanent free route to NFL Sunday Ticket. However, YouTube TV occasionally runs seasonal promotions or discounts that reduce the cost for new subscribers.
The cheapest way to watch the NFL is to combine a budget streaming service like Paramount+ (around $7.99/month) for CBS games or Peacock (about $7.99/month) for NBC games with an HDTV antenna to maximize coverage.
Yes — NFL Sunday Ticket can be purchased as a standalone from YouTube’s Primetime Channels or added to a YouTube TV subscription. YouTube also posts highlights and extra content on the official NFL channel.
Michael Harper is a senior staff writer covering earning, saving and money management for Savinly. He has covered personal finance topics for over a decade.
