No, there isn't one single subscription or service that provides live access to every NFL game on all devices without any limitations. Due to the complex nature of broadcast rights, regional availability, and different types of games (local, primetime, out-of-market), watching every NFL game live typically requires a combination of services.
Understanding NFL Game Distribution
The National Football League (NFL) distributes its games across various platforms, including traditional television networks, streaming services, and its own dedicated app. This multi-platform approach means that different types of games are exclusive to certain providers:
- Local Market Games: Sunday afternoon games are primarily broadcast on CBS and FOX, with specific games available based on your geographic location.
- Primetime Games: These include Thursday Night Football (TNF), Sunday Night Football (SNF), and Monday Night Football (MNF). TNF is exclusive to Amazon Prime Video, SNF is on NBC, and MNF is primarily on ESPN (with some simulcasts on ABC).
- Out-of-Market Games: These are Sunday afternoon games that are not being broadcast in your local market.
- NFL Network & NFL RedZone: These channels offer select live games, replays, analysis, and a consolidated view of Sunday afternoon action, respectively.
Key Services and What They Offer
To cover all bases, you'll need to strategically combine several viewing options.
NFL+
The National Football League's exclusive streaming service, NFL+, is an excellent supplement for NFL fans. It exists within the NFL app and NFL.com ecosystem. NFL+ delivers a combination of:
- Live local and primetime games on mobile phones and tablets. This means you can watch your local team's Sunday afternoon game and all primetime matchups (Thursday, Sunday, Monday night) live on the go.
- NFL RedZone (with NFL+ Premium).
- NFL Network (with NFL+ Premium).
- Live game audio.
- Full game replays.
- On-demand content.
While NFL+ is invaluable for mobile viewing and replays, it does not provide live access to all out-of-market games on larger screens like TVs.
NFL Sunday Ticket
For fans looking to watch out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary solution. It provides live access to every Sunday afternoon game not broadcast in your local market.
- Availability: Exclusively available through YouTube TV as an add-on or as a standalone YouTube Primetime Channel subscription.
- Key Benefit: Eliminates regional blackouts for non-local Sunday afternoon games.
Live TV Streaming Services or Cable/Satellite TV
To access local network games (CBS, FOX, NBC) and primetime matchups on ESPN, you'll need a subscription to a live TV service.
- Options:
- Live TV Streaming Services: Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV offer access to major broadcast networks (availability varies by market), ESPN, NFL Network, and often NFL RedZone as an add-on.
- Traditional Cable or Satellite TV: Continues to be a reliable way to access all major networks and sports channels.
Amazon Prime Video
Since the 2022 season, Thursday Night Football games are exclusively streamed on Amazon Prime Video. A Prime membership is required to watch these games.
Comprehensive NFL Viewing Strategy
To truly watch "every" NFL game live, a combination of services is necessary:
| Service/Platform | What it Offers | Key Games/Content | Limitations/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Sunday Ticket | Live out-of-market Sunday afternoon games (games not shown on your local CBS/FOX). | All Sunday afternoon games not local to your market. | Requires YouTube TV base plan or standalone YouTube Primetime Channel subscription. |
| Live TV Streaming / Cable/Satellite TV | Access to local CBS, FOX, NBC affiliates, ESPN, NFL Network, and potentially NFL RedZone. | Local market Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football (NBC), Monday Night Football (ESPN), select NFL Network games, playoffs. | Subscription required; channel availability varies by provider and geographic market. |
| Amazon Prime Video | Exclusive streaming of Thursday Night Football games. | All Thursday Night Football (TNF) games. | Requires an Amazon Prime membership. |
| NFL+ | Live local and primetime games on mobile phones and tablets; NFL Network and NFL RedZone (with Premium tier); live game audio; full game replays; on-demand content. | Local team games, SNF, MNF, TNF (on mobile/tablet); extensive post-game content and analysis. | Live game access is primarily for mobile/tablet; does not cover all out-of-market games on larger screens. |
Practical Insight
To ensure you don't miss any game, the most robust approach often involves:
- NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV (for all out-of-market Sunday afternoon games).
- A YouTube TV subscription (to cover local network games, ESPN for Monday Night Football, and access to NFL Network/RedZone add-ons).
- An Amazon Prime Video subscription (for Thursday Night Football).
- Optionally, NFL+ (for mobile viewing flexibility, audio, and replays).
This combination provides the broadest possible access to live NFL games across all broadcast windows and devices.
