In today’s world of streaming, NFL fans have more ways than ever to watch their favorite teams. The key is choosing the service that fits your needs, whether you’re looking for local games, primetime matchups, or out-of-market action. Here’s a breakdown of the best streaming platforms for watching the NFL in 2024, along with their pros and cons.
Best Streaming Services to Watch NFL in 2024
- YouTube TV: Best for Out-of-Market Games
- Amazon Prime Video: Best for Thursday Night Football
- Peacock: Best for Sunday Night Football
- NFL+: Best for Mobile Streaming
- Sling TV: Best Budget-Friendly Option
- Paramount+: Best for CBS Games
- Hulu + Live TV: Best for Sports Enthusiasts
- Fubo: Best for Sports Fans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. YouTube TV: Best for Out-of-Market Games
YouTube TV stands out this year, especially with its exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package. If you’re living outside your team’s market or want access to every Sunday afternoon game, this is the go-to option.
Pros:
- Includes major networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, covering most NFL games.
- Offers unlimited cloud DVR storage for recording games.
- Now the exclusive provider of NFL Sunday Ticket.
Cons:
- At $72.99 per month, it’s on the pricier side.
- Sunday Ticket adds another $119.75 per month, making it a significant investment for die-hard fans.
2. Amazon Prime Video: Best for Thursday Night Football
If you’re a fan of midweek games, Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football. It’s a good choice for those who already have Prime for other services like shopping or streaming movies.
That said, Prime also offers 4K streaming but you might need a high-speed internet connection for that. Do your ISP (internet service provider) hunt and narrow it down to the ones that offer gigabit speeds to cater to 4K streaming. One such example is Spectrum Internet which offers affordable Spectrum Packages without data caps, low outage rates, and with a cherry on top, it comes with a free modem. Anyhow, the following are the pros and cons of Amazon Prime.
Pros:
- Exclusive home for Thursday Night Football.
- Available at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members.
- Offers a free trial for new users.
Cons:
- Only covers Thursday night games, so it’s not ideal if you’re looking for comprehensive NFL coverage.
3. Peacock: Best for Sunday Night Football
Peacock is where you’ll find Sunday Night Football, and in 2024, it’s also streaming an exclusive game in Week 16. If you’re into NBC’s NFL broadcasts, Peacock can be a solid budget-friendly option.
Pros:
- Affordable at just $5.99 per month.
- Covers Sunday Night Football and other NBC content.
- Exclusive Week 16 game.
Cons:
- Limited to Sunday Night games, so you’ll need other services for comprehensive coverage.
4. NFL+: Best for Mobile Streaming
If you’re looking for an affordable option to catch local games and primetime matchups on your mobile device, NFL+ offers a solution. It also includes access to NFL RedZone for an additional fee.
Pros:
- Cheap, starting at $6.99 per month.
- Streams local and primetime games.
- Offers a $14.99 plan with NFL RedZone.
Cons:
- Only available for mobile and tablet streaming.
- Cannot stream Thursday, Sunday, and Monday night games.
5. Sling TV: Best Budget-Friendly Option
Sling TV offers a more affordable way to stream NFL games with its Blue package, which includes FOX and NBC in select markets. You can also add NFL RedZone and NFL Network as part of its sports add-on.
Pros:
- Cheaper than other options, starting at $40 per month.
- Allows you to customize your package with add-ons like NFL RedZone.
- Provides a good mix of channels for football fans.
Cons:
- Limited local coverage, especially if you don’t live in a major city.
- Does not include CBS, which broadcasts a lot of NFL games.
6. Paramount+: Best for CBS Games
Paramount+ is your best bet if you’re primarily interested in CBS’s Sunday afternoon games. At an affordable price, it’s a great way to watch games from the AFC side of the NFL.
Pros:
- At $7.99 per month, it’s one of the cheapest options for watching NFL games.
- Streams all games airing on CBS, including Sunday afternoons and playoff games.
Cons:
- Limited to CBS, so you’ll need another service for full coverage.
7. Hulu + Live TV: Best for Sports Enthusiasts
If you want more than just the NFL, Hulu + Live TV offers a great balance of sports and entertainment. It includes all the major networks broadcasting NFL games along with ESPN and NFL RedZone (as an add-on).
Pros:
- Extensive sports coverage, including NFL games on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN.
- Offers Hulu’s library of on-demand shows and movies in the same package.
Cons:
- More expensive, starting at $76.99 per month.
- NFL RedZone is only available as an additional paid add-on.
8. Fubo: Best for Sports Fans
If you’re a sports fan beyond just the NFL, Fubo is designed with you in mind. It offers access to all NFL games on major networks and includes options like NFL RedZone in its sports packages.
Pros:
- Comprehensive sports coverage, including NFL, NBA, and MLB.
- Offers a range of sports-specific channels like NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
Cons:
- Higher cost, starting at $94.99 per month.
- Sports add-ons can increase the overall price further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best streaming service for out-of-market NFL games?
For out-of-market games, YouTube TV is currently the best option since it holds the exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket. This allows you to watch games outside your local area, but it comes with an added cost of $119.75 per month on top of the regular subscription.
2. Can I watch NFL games for free on any streaming platform?
While none of the main streaming platforms offer completely free NFL games, some services like Amazon Prime Video and Peacock provide free trials that can be used to catch a few games without paying. However, these trials are limited, and eventually, a subscription will be required for full access.
3. What’s the most budget-friendly way to stream NFL games?
Sling TV and Paramount+ are the most affordable options for NFL fans. Sling TV offers customizable packages starting at $40 per month, while Paramount+ streams all CBS games for just $7.99 per month. If you’re primarily interested in AFC games, Paramount+ is a particularly good deal.
