How to Watch NFL Games in 2025: Complete Streaming Guide

How to Watch NFL Games

The 2025 NFL season brings major changes to how fans can watch games. Here's what you need to know:

• ESPN: Monday Night Football and playoff games
• Prime Video: Exclusive Thursday Night Football rights
• Peacock: Sunday Night Football streaming
• Netflix: Christmas Day games exclusively

This guide covers every way to watch NFL games legally in 2025, from free over-the-air broadcasts to premium streaming packages.

Watch NFL Games in Your Local Market

For in-market NFL fans, FuboTV Sports has revolutionized streaming economics in 2025. At just $55.99/month, it delivers CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN (all ESPN channels), NFL Network, and crucially includes ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost - a service that alone costs $29.99/month. This single subscription covers about 85% of all NFL games. To achieve 99%+ coverage, add Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) for Sunday Night Football on NBC and Prime Video ($8.99/month) for Thursday Night Football. Total: $75.97/month for virtually every game (add Netflix at $15.49 only if your team plays on Christmas).

Watch NFL Games Outside Your Market

Here's the stunning revelation for 2025: FuboTV Sports at $55.99/month includes ESPN Unlimited, which means you get access to ESPN+ content - and ESPN+ carries one exclusive NFL game every week! While this isn't the same as NFL Sunday Ticket's comprehensive out-of-market coverage, FuboTV Sports combined with strategic additions creates an affordable solution. For true out-of-market fans who need every game, add NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube ($389/season or $97.25/month averaged over 4 months) to your FuboTV Sports base. This totals $153.24/month during the season - still cheaper than YouTube TV + Sunday Ticket ($180/month). The budget alternative: FuboTV Sports + NFL+ Premium ($14.99/month) gives you full game replays after they air for just $70.98/month total. Many out-of-market fans find this delayed viewing perfectly acceptable, especially when saving over $300 compared to Sunday Ticket.

Best Streaming Services for NFL

For in-market NFL fans, FuboTV Sports has revolutionized streaming economics in 2025. At just $55.99/month, it delivers CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN (all ESPN channels), NFL Network, and crucially includes ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost - a service that alone costs $29.99/month. This single subscription covers about 85% of all NFL games. To achieve 99%+ coverage, add Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) for Sunday Night Football on NBC and Prime Video ($8.99/month) for Thursday Night Football. Total: $75.97/month for virtually every game (add Netflix at $15.49 only if your team plays on Christmas).

Cable & Satellite Options

Traditional cable and satellite providers offer NFL coverage with varying degrees of completeness and value. Comcast Xfinity's plans range from $60-80/month depending on region and typically include local channels (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC) and ESPN, with NFL Network available in higher tiers. Spectrum's TV Select ($59.99/month) provides similar channel coverage in their service areas. Dish Network's America's Top 120+ ($94.99/month) includes locals, ESPN, and NFL Network, though availability varies by region. DIRECTV, while no longer holding exclusive Sunday Ticket rights, offers comprehensive channel packages starting around $84.99/month. Cox Cable and other regional providers offer comparable packages with local market pricing. The main advantages of traditional cable include consistent signal quality during peak viewing times and no reliance on internet bandwidth. However, these services no longer offer unique NFL content advantages over streaming options, and many are actually more expensive than streaming alternatives. RedZone typically costs an additional $10-15/month across most providers.

Primetime & Special Games

The NFL's primetime and special games require specific services beyond your standard Sunday afternoon coverage. Thursday Night Football exclusively streams on Prime Video, featuring 15 games throughout the season - every team plays at least one Thursday game. Sunday Night Football on NBC showcases the week's premier matchup, with flexible scheduling allowing the NFL to move compelling late-season games into this slot. Monday Night Football airs on ESPN with ABC simulcasting, often featuring doubleheaders in the final week. The NFL's international series brings 5-6 games to London, Germany, and Mexico City, typically airing at 9:30 AM ET on NFL Network. Thanksgiving features three games: CBS and FOX carry the traditional afternoon games, while NBC gets the primetime slot. Christmas games are now exclusive to Netflix when they fall on gamedays. Wild Card Weekend spreads across all networks including a Peacock-exclusive game. The playoffs maintain traditional network assignments: CBS/NBC for AFC, FOX/ABC for NFC, with the Super Bowl rotating annually. For complete playoff coverage, ensure you have access to all major networks plus ESPN and Peacock.