The NFL owns the calendar from September through February. But in 2025, it also owns your app library. If you’re searching for how to watch NFL games 2025, this guide breaks it all down—local broadcasts, primetime matchups, out-of-market Sundays, playoffs, and even the new holiday showcases.
The good news: once you see how the rights are split and which apps to download, it’s all make-sense moves. Football in 2025 is bigger than just sports—it’s part of culture, streaming, betting, and even the cannabis lifestyle.
Fans tailgate with infused seltzers, spark up in states with legal lounges, and tap into the same community vibe that drives the cannabis lifestyle.
The connection is real: Sundays are about rituals.
The league spread broadcast rights across ten different apps and networks, forcing fans to piece together a streaming stack like it’s a fantasy draft. If you want the full experience, you need to know what to download, when to log in, and how to stack services without blowing your budget.
How To Watch NFL Games 2025: What Lives Where (2025)
- Sunday Afternoon (local CBS/Fox) → Your local broadcast channels; stream via Paramount+ (CBS) and Fox One (Fox).
- Sunday Afternoon (out-of-market) → NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.
- Sunday Night Football → NBC + Peacock (full simulcast all season), plus an exclusive Week 17 Saturday primetime game on Peacock.
- Monday Night Football → ESPN (with select ABC simulcasts) and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer app launched in 2025.
- Thursday Night Football → Amazon Prime Video (with the league’s Black Friday Football tradition).
- Christmas Day (2025) → Two exclusive NFL games on Netflix.
- Mobile + Replays + All-22 + RedZone → NFL+ Premium.
- Outside the U.S. → DAZN with NFL Game Pass International (live regular season + postseason).
How To Watch NFL Games 2025: The Core Services (What Each One Actually Gets You)
YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket (Out-of-Market Sundays)
If your team rarely shows up on your local channel, Sunday Ticket is your franchise QB. New-user pricing is $276 for the season (or 8 payments of $34.50). Students get a $119 plan via YouTube Primetime Channels, with optional RedZone add-ons.
Why it matters: Sunday Ticket is the only legal way to watch out-of-market Sunday afternoon games live in the U.S. If you’re not local to your squad, this is mandatory.
Amazon Prime Video (Thursday + Black Friday)
TNF lives on Prime—every Thursday night all season, with pregame shows and full production. Amazon also owns the Black Friday showcase the day after Thanksgiving.
Pro tip: If you’re only here for TNF, one Prime sub covers you.
Peacock (SNF + One Exclusive)
Sunday Night Football streams all year on Peacock alongside NBC. Plus, there’s a Peacock Holiday Exclusive—an exclusive Week 17 Saturday night primetime game on December 27, 2025.
ESPN Direct-to-Consumer (MNF Without Cable)
ESPN rolled out its direct-to-consumer app in 2025, so you can stream Monday Night Football without a cable bundle. You’ll also see select ABC simulcasts and some doubleheaders throughout the season.
Paramount+ (Your CBS Plug)
Paramount+ streams NFL on CBS games carried by your local station—often heavy with AFC matchups and playoff games on CBS. If your squad plays in the AFC, this is the plug.
Fox One (Your Fox Plug)
Launched in 2025, Fox One is Fox’s direct streamer for Fox-broadcast NFL games—basically the NFC slate on Sundays. Cowboys, Eagles, 49ers, Packers—it’s all here.
Netflix (Christmas Day Exclusives)
New era: two Christmas Day games are exclusive to Netflix—Cowboys vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET) and Lions vs. Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET) in 2025. If you’re unwrapping gifts and watching ball, you’ll need Netflix.
NFL+ (Mobile Live + RedZone + All-22 Replays)
NFL+ Premium is built for the on-the-move fan: live local and primetime games on mobile, NFL Network, RedZone, and full/condensed replays with All-22 Coaches Film across devices. Perfect if you rewatch to scout your fantasy roster.
DAZN / NFL Game Pass International (Outside the U.S.)
Traveling or living abroad? DAZN’s NFL Game Pass International is the one-app solution: live regular season and postseason games in most countries. No service juggling like in the States.
Live TV Bundles (If You Want One App for Most Things)
You can still go the “one bill” route with a live-TV bundle that includes your locals (ABC/CBS/Fox/NBC) and ESPN:
- Hulu + Live TV – carries CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC, NFL Network (market-dependent).
- Fubo – offers ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network in most markets, with multiview features for sports-first setups.
- DIRECTV (via internet/stream) – covers ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and sports nets in a traditional grid guide.
- Sling – budget play: Orange plan gets ESPN, Blue plan gets Fox/NBC/NFL Network in select markets.
Note: Every NFL game streams somewhere in 2025, even if it also airs on broadcast. Translation: there’s always a streaming path.
Don’t Sleep on the Free Option: Over-the-Air Antenna (OTA)
If you’re in range, an HD antenna gets you ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC free—aka a ton of NFL Sundays, Sunday Night Football, and select Monday Night simulcasts on ABC. Use FCC DTV maps or AntennaWeb to check your reception before buying.
How To Watch NFL Games 2025 Spanish-Language Viewing
- MNF en Español → ESPN Deportes (Spanish telecast available for each MNF game).
- Super Bowl & NBC primetime often include Spanish coverage via Telemundo/Universo.
Some streaming apps like Peacock or Prime also add Spanish audio tracks on select games.
How To Watch NFL Games 2025: “What Do I Need For Each Day?” (Bookmark This)
| Window | What to Download / Use |
|---|---|
| Sunday early/late (local) | Paramount+ (CBS), Fox One (Fox), or live-TV bundles. OTA antenna also works. |
| Sunday early/late (out-of-market) | YouTube TV with NFL Sunday Ticket. |
| Sunday Night Football | Peacock (also on NBC). |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN app / ESPN DTC; some simulcasts on ABC. |
| Thursday Night Football | Amazon Prime Video. |
| Black Friday Football | Amazon Prime Video. |
| Christmas Day (2025) | Netflix (two exclusives). |
| Mobile + RedZone + All-22 | NFL+ Premium. |
| Outside the U.S. | DAZN – NFL Game Pass International. |
How To Watch NFL Games 2025:
Streaming, Apps, and TV Options Official Guide: Cost Game Plan (Build Your Stack)
“Watch It All” Stack (U.S.):
- YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket (out-of-market Sundays)
- Amazon Prime Video (TNF + Black Friday)
- Peacock (SNF + Week 17 exclusive)
- ESPN DTC for MNF (ABC simulcasts some weeks)
- Paramount+ (CBS locals) + Fox One (Fox locals)
- Netflix (Christmas Day)
- NFL+ Premium (mobile live + RedZone + All-22 replays)
Budget/Rotation Stack:
- Keep Prime active all season (TNF).
- Add Peacock in December for the Holiday Exclusive + playoffs, pause it after.
- Flip Paramount+ and Fox One depending on which network carries your team more often.
- Activate ESPN DTC during heavy MNF stretches.
Mobile-First / Film-Nerd Stack:
- NFL+ Premium for local/primetime on mobile, RedZone, and All-22 replays.
- Add Paramount+ or Fox One when you need TV-screen locals.
International Stack:
- DAZN’s NFL Game Pass International = every game live, one app.
How To Watch NFL Games 2025: Download Checklist
- YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket
- Amazon Prime Video
- Peacock
- ESPN app / ESPN DTC
- Paramount+ and Fox One
- Netflix
- NFL+
- DAZN (international)
- Live-TV bundle (Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, Sling)
- OTA antenna
FAQs About How To Watch NFL Games 2025
Do I need cable to watch the NFL in 2025?
No. Every game streams somewhere. Build your stack based on your needs.
Will ABC show some MNF games?
Yes. ESPN carries MNF, with select simulcasts on ABC throughout the season.
What about Spanish-language broadcasts?
ESPN Deportes runs MNF en Español; Telemundo/Universo cover NBC primetime and the Super Bowl.
I only care about my local team. Cheapest route?
Use a free OTA antenna for locals, add Paramount+ or Fox One as needed, and keep NFL+ Premium for mobile, RedZone, and replays.
I’m a student. Any deals?
Yes—Sunday Ticket has a $119 student plan via YouTube Primetime Channels.
Every season the NFL spreads its rights wider across streaming services—and 2025 is the most fragmented yet.
But once you line up your roster—Sunday Ticket for out-of-market, Prime on Thursdays, Peacock on Sundays, ESPN/ABC on Mondays, Paramount+ / Fox One for locals, NFL+ for mobile and replays, Netflix on Christmas, DAZN abroad—you’re bulletproof.
Bookmark this.
Drop it in the group chat.
Set your lineup.
The best way to watch NFL games in 2025 isn’t one magic app—it’s a smart stack that matches how you watch.
No cable, no chaos—just ball.
–
Disclaimer: Respect My Region provides this How to Watch NFL Games 2025 guide for informational purposes only. Streaming availability, schedules, and pricing for NFL games in 2025 are subject to change by the networks and platforms listed. Always verify details with official providers before purchasing or subscribing. Respect My Region does not endorse or guarantee third-party services, and we encourage fans to stream responsibly in compliance with local laws and regulations.
