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Where to watch NFL games while on the move: Cheapest streaming without cable
Find out where to watch NFL games in 2026, including TV channels, streaming services, free options, and how to watch without cable or while traveling.
Where to watch NFL games depends on the day and matchup. Sunday afternoon games air on CBS and FOX, while Thursday, Sunday night, Monday night, and special games are split across different networks and streaming services.
You can watch NFL games without cable through NFL+, YouTube TV, Prime Video, Peacock, and other services. This guide compares the main options, free viewing methods, and how to keep watching while traveling.
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TL;DR: Where can you watch NFL games?
Looking to participate in one of the most-watched sporting events in the world? The easiest way to watch NFL games is to check which network or platform carries your matchup. NFL+ is one of the cheapest options for mobile viewing, while YouTube TV offers broader coverage on televisions and other devices.
Here’s where to watch NFL games during the 2026 season:
| NFL games | TV channel | Streaming options |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday Night Football | Local broadcast in participating team markets | Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, NFL+ (mobile) |
| Sunday afternoon (local games) | CBS, FOX | Paramount+ (CBS), FOX One (FOX), NFL+ (mobile) |
| Sunday afternoon (out-of-market) | Not available on local networks | NFL Sunday Ticket |
| Sunday Night Football | NBC | Peacock, NFL+ (mobile) |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN, selected games also on ABC | ESPN Unlimited, eligible live TV services, NFL+ (mobile) |
| Select international and Saturday games | Selected games on NFL Network or a designated broadcaster | Selected games on NFL+, Fox, Netflix, and other eligible live TV services |
| Select holiday and special games | Varies | Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, or designated broadcaster |
Quick recommendations:
- Cheapest for local TV games: Use an HDTV antenna to receive CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC where available.
- Best for mobile viewing: NFL+ ($6.99/month) for live local and nationally televised games.
- Best for broad NFL coverage: YouTube TV or another live TV streaming package with local channels, ESPN, and NFL Network.
- Best for occasional games: Subscribe to the platform carrying your matchup rather than paying for every service.
- Best for international travel: NFL Game Pass through DAZN, including its NFL Travel Pass for eligible US travelers.
Important note: No single US subscription covers every NFL game live. Use the official NFL viewing guide to check which service carries your game.
Where to watch NFL games in the US
You can watch NFL games in the US through traditional TV, streaming subscriptions, or sports bars.
On TV with cable
Cable and satellite packages provide access to most locally and nationally televised NFL games.
The main networks are:
- CBS and FOX: Sunday afternoon games available in your local market.
- NBC: Sunday Night Football and selected special games.
- ESPN and ABC: Monday Night Football, with ABC broadcasting selected matchups.
- NFL Network: Selected international games, Saturday games, and other exclusive broadcasts.
Cable doesn’t automatically include streaming-exclusive games on Prime Video, Netflix, or Peacock. It also doesn’t replace NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
Streaming without cable
The best way to stream NFL games depends on which team you follow, your budget, and whether you’re watching on a phone or television.
Here’s a comparison of the main streaming options for the 2026 season:
| Streaming service | What you can watch |
|---|---|
| NFL+ | Live local and national games on phones/tablets |
| NFL+ Premium | NFL+ content, RedZone, and full-game replays |
| Paramount+ | Local CBS games |
| FOX One | Local FOX games |
| Peacock Premium | NBC games and Peacock exclusives |
| Prime Video | Thursday Night Football and selected special games |
| ESPN Unlimited | Monday Night Football and NFL Network |
| Netflix | Selected holiday and special games |
| YouTube TV | CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and more |
| Fubo | Local channels, ESPN, NFL Network, and more |
| DIRECTV | Major broadcast networks, ESPN, NFL Network, and more |
| Sling TV | Selected ESPN, FOX, NBC, and NFL Network games |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games |
Want to watch just one game? Check its broadcaster first. A monthly streaming subscription may be cheaper than purchasing an entire live TV package, but confirm that the game is actually included.
If you’re visiting the US from overseas, remember that watching games on mobile data may incur roaming charges in the USA, depending on your home carrier and plan.
At a sports bar, restaurant, or hotel
Sports bars, restaurants, and some hotels offer another way to watch NFL games without purchasing your own subscription.
- Sports bars: Often show several games simultaneously, including out-of-market matchups.
- Restaurants: Sports-focused chains and local establishments may broadcast nationally televised NFL games.
- Hotels: Hotel bars and lounges may show games, while in-room televisions often carry local networks.
Call ahead to confirm your game is available, especially for Prime Video, Netflix, or Peacock exclusives. If you’re visiting from overseas, a USA eSIM can also help you find nearby sports bars and check game schedules while on the move.
How to watch NFL games for free?
The most reliable way to watch NFL games for free is through an HDTV antenna. Your legal options include:
- HDTV antenna: Watch locally available games on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC. You’ll need an antenna and adequate reception.
- Free Thursday Night Football streams: Check whether the matchup is officially available through Amazon’s Twitch broadcasts. Availability and supported devices may vary.
- Local simulcasts: Some games exclusive to streaming platforms are also available on free local television in the participating teams’ markets.
- Free streaming trials: Some providers, including Fubo and Prime Video, periodically offer trials to eligible new customers. Check the current terms.
An antenna is particularly useful when you’re staying somewhere with reliable local reception. However, it won’t provide every Sunday afternoon game because CBS and FOX broadcasts vary by market.
Where to watch NFL games outside of the US
The easiest legal way to watch NFL games abroad is through NFL Game Pass International on DAZN or an authorized broadcaster in your destination.
Most US streaming services have geographical restrictions, so your existing NFL+ or other subscriptions may not work overseas.
DAZN Game Pass International
NFL Game Pass International through DAZN offers extensive live and on-demand NFL coverage in supported international markets.
Depending on your location and subscription, it includes:
- Live regular-season games.
- NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl.
- NFL RedZone and NFL Network.
- Streaming on compatible phones, tablets, computers, and TVs.
If you’re traveling from the US, DAZN also offers NFL Travel Pass, designed for watching the NFL while temporarily overseas. The Travel Pass is available in eligible destinations outside the US, Canada, and China.
If you’re traveling abroad from the US, compare international phone plans before your trip, especially if you plan to stream games using mobile data.
If you travel internationally often, Holafly’s monthly global data plans offer another way to stay connected across multiple destinations while following NFL games abroad.
Streaming with a VPN
A VPN can protect your connection on public Wi-Fi, but it doesn’t guarantee access to US NFL streaming services overseas.
Streaming rights vary by country, and platforms may restrict access based on your location.
For example:
- NFL+: Only available within the US, even if you already subscribe. For international viewing, use DAZN’s NFL Game Pass or Travel Pass instead.
- DAZN: You can watch NFL games abroad through NFL Game Pass International or the NFL Travel Pass. However, using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions is not supported.
- Netflix: VPN connections may prevent access to live events.
- Other US streaming platforms: Geographic restrictions and VPN-detection systems can limit access.
Note that a VPN doesn’t override a streaming service’s licensing conditions. If you’re considering a VPN for travel, choose one for privacy and security rather than assuming it will unlock NFL games. For reliable access abroad, choose DAZN’s NFL Travel Pass or an authorized broadcaster.
Before traveling, install your preferred app, confirm availability at your destination, and check kickoff times in the local time zone. If you’re visiting the US, compare mobile internet options in the USA for streaming away from hotel Wi-Fi.
Watch the NFL wherever you are with Holafly’s unlimited data eSIM
Streaming a full game takes a reliable connection, whether you’re visiting the US or following your team abroad. Choose the Holafly eSIM that fits your trip:
- Travel eSIMs: Best for short trips, with unlimited data and speeds up to 5G, including an eSIM for the USA. Holafly eSIMs are reusable, so you can add a new plan for your next trip.
- Holafly Plans: Monthly global data, best for frequent travelers following the season from different countries.
- Ultra Plan: Best for those who need more than unlimited data, with an ad blocker, luggage protection, online medical support, and more in one monthly plan.
Every option includes 24/7 customer support and Always On, 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost, so you can still check scores after your plan ends.
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Where to watch NFL games FAQs
Check the official NFL schedule or NFL Ways to Watch page to find which TV channel or streaming service carries your game. Broadcast availability may vary by location, especially for Sunday afternoon games.
YouTube TV is a good choice for broad NFL coverage without cable. For watching local and primetime games on your phone, NFL+ is a cheaper option.
Super Bowl LXI airs on ABC and ESPN on February 14, 2027. You can stream it on Disney+ or through the ESPN app with eligible access, or watch ABC free with an antenna in areas with reception. Beyond the game, the best Super Bowl halftime shows are worth revisiting for some of the event’s most memorable performances.
Yes. NFL+ lets you watch local and primetime games on your phone or tablet, but local game availability may change depending on your location.
No. NFL+ is available only within the US. Use DAZN’s NFL Game Pass International or NFL Travel Pass in eligible destinations instead.
No single service shows every game live. For the lowest cost, pair a free HDTV antenna for local CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC games with NFL+ ($6.99/month) for local and primetime games on your phone. You’ll still need NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
NFL+ is one of the best apps to watch NFL games on the move, starting at $6.99/month. It streams live local and primetime games on supported phones and tablets within the US.
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