What NFHS Network is and who runs it
NFHS Network is a streaming service run by the National Federation of State High School Associations. It broadcasts live and on-demand video of high school sports — football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, and others — from member schools across the United States.
When you buy a subscription, you are paying NFHS Network directly, not a school or district. The service handles the streaming, the payment processing, and the video library. Individual schools and athletic departments partner with NFHS Network to stream their games, but they do not collect the subscription fee themselves.
The service is available through a web browser on a computer, or through mobile apps on iOS and Android devices. You can also watch on some streaming devices like Roku and Apple TV if you log in with your subscription account.
Key Takeaways
- NFHS Network subscriptions cost money and cover access to streams from multiple schools, not just one team or school.
- You create an account with an email address and password, then choose a subscription plan — usually monthly or annual.
- Not every high school game is streamed; schools choose whether to broadcast, so you may not find every team or sport you want to watch.
- You can watch on computers, phones, tablets, and some streaming devices once you log in with your subscription account.
- Streams are usually live during the game, and many remain available on-demand afterward for the length of your subscription.
How to set up an NFHS Network account
Go to nfhsnetwork.com and click the sign-up or login button. You will enter an email address and create a password. NFHS Network will send a confirmation email to that address — click the link in the email to verify your account.
After you confirm your email, you will choose a subscription plan. NFHS Network typically offers a monthly plan and an annual plan. The annual plan costs less per month but requires payment upfront for the full year. You will enter a payment method — a credit card or debit card — and complete the purchase.
Once your payment goes through, your subscription is active when ready. You can then log in on any device and start watching streams that are available in your region or from schools that broadcast through the service.
What sports and schools are available
NFHS Network carries high school sports from schools in all 50 states, but not every school broadcasts every game. A school's athletic department decides whether to stream games and pay the broadcast fee to NFHS Network. This means some schools stream all their games, some stream only certain sports, and some do not stream at all.
The most commonly streamed sports are football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, and softball. Less common sports like swimming, cross country, and wrestling are streamed by some schools but not others. You can search NFHS Network by school name or sport to see what is available in your area.
The library changes throughout the year as the school calendar changes. Fall sports (football, volleyball, cross country) are most active in September through November. Winter sports (basketball, wrestling, swimming) peak from December through February. Spring sports (baseball, softball, soccer, track) are heaviest from March through May.
Pricing and subscription plans
NFHS Network offers two main subscription options: a monthly plan and an annual plan. The monthly plan lets you pay once per month and cancel anytime. The annual plan requires you to pay for 12 months upfront but costs less per month than paying monthly.
Exact prices vary and change over time, so check nfhsnetwork.com for current rates. Some schools or districts may offer promotional codes that reduce the cost for a limited time. If you are unsure about the current price, you can visit the site without logging in and see the cost before you enter any payment information.
Your subscription renews automatically on the same day each month (or year, depending on your plan). You can cancel anytime through your account settings, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you will not be charged again, but you can still watch until that date passes.
How to watch on different devices
On a computer, open a web browser, go to nfhsnetwork.com, log in with your email and password, and search for the game or school you want to watch. Click the stream to start watching.
On a phone or tablet, read the NFHS Network app from the Apple App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app, log in with the same email and password you used to set up your account, and search for the game. The app will remember your login, so you will not have to enter it every time.
On a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV, search for the NFHS Network app in that device's app store, read it, and open it. You will see a code on your screen. Go to nfhsnetwork.com/set up on a computer or phone, enter that code, and log in. This links your device to your account so you can watch without logging in again on the TV.
What happens to streams after the game ends
Most games remain available to watch on-demand after they finish streaming live. This means you can watch a recording of the game anytime during your subscription period, not just when it airs. The length of time a stream stays available varies — some schools keep games up for the entire season, while others remove them after a few weeks.
If you cancel your subscription, you lose access to all on-demand streams. You will not be able to watch any recorded games, even if they were available when you were subscribed. This is different from owning a video — you are renting access to the library for as long as you pay.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you cannot find a game you expected to see, check whether that school actually broadcasts through NFHS Network. Not every school uses the service, and some schools only stream certain sports or certain games. Search the school's website or athletic department page to see if they mention NFHS Network.
If a stream is buffering or freezing, try closing the app or browser tab and opening it again. Check your internet connection — streaming video requires a stable connection, and WiFi that is far from your router or shared with many devices may not be fast enough. If the problem continues, try watching on a different device to see if the issue is with your device or your internet.
If you are logged in but the stream says you need to log in, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the session expires, especially if you have not used the app in a while. If you forgot your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and NFHS Network will send a reset link to your email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch NFHS Network streams without paying?
No. NFHS Network is a paid subscription service. Some schools may offer free streams on their own website or social media, but those are separate from NFHS Network. If you want to watch through NFHS Network, you need an active subscription.
Do I have to subscribe to watch my child's school?
It depends on the school. If your child's school broadcasts through NFHS Network, yes, you need a subscription to watch through that service. Some schools also stream games for free on their own website or YouTube channel. Check your school's athletic department website to see what streaming options they offer.
Can I share my login with family members?
NFHS Network's terms of service state that each account is for personal use only. Sharing your login with people outside your household may violate those terms. However, you can log in on multiple devices at the same time, so family members in your home can watch on different devices using your account.
What if the stream keeps cutting out during the game?
Check your internet speed and connection stability first. Streaming video requires at least 5 Mbps for smooth playback. If your connection is slow, move closer to your WiFi router, close other apps using the internet, or try watching on a wired connection if possible. If the problem is widespread, NFHS Network's servers may be experiencing issues — try again in a few minutes.
Can I read games to watch offline?
NFHS Network does not offer a read feature. You must stream the video while connected to the internet. You cannot save games to your device to watch later without an internet connection.