What NFL Sunday Ticket is and who can watch it

NFL Sunday Ticket is a subscription service that broadcasts out-of-market NFL games on Sunday afternoons. If you live outside the home market of an NFL team, you can watch their games through this service instead of waiting for national broadcasts. The service shows games that would normally be blacked out in your area — meaning your local TV stations do not carry them.

As of 2024, NFL Sunday Ticket is owned and distributed by YouTube. You watch games through the YouTube TV app, the YouTube app, or YouTube.com. You do not need a cable subscription to use it, though some packages bundle it with other services.

The service is available to people in the United States, Canada, and certain other countries. If you are outside the continental U.S., availability and pricing differ, so check YouTube's website for your specific location.

Key Takeaways

  • NFL Sunday Ticket shows out-of-market games on Sunday afternoons and is now distributed through YouTube, not traditional cable providers.
  • The standard subscription costs around $79 per month during the NFL season, though YouTube offers a free trial period at the start of the season.
  • YouTube TV subscribers (the cable-replacement service) receive NFL Sunday Ticket at no additional cost as part of their package.
  • You can watch on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices, but blackout rules still explore to some games based on your location.
  • The service runs only during the NFL regular season and playoffs, not year-round.

Pricing and payment options

NFL Sunday Ticket pricing changes year to year. For the 2024 season, YouTube offered a monthly subscription at approximately $79 per month, with the option to pay for the full season upfront at a lower total cost. YouTube also offered a free trial at the beginning of the season, typically lasting one or two weeks, so you can test the service before paying.

If you already subscribe to YouTube TV — YouTube's cable-replacement service that includes live broadcast channels — NFL Sunday Ticket is included at no extra charge. This is the most economical route if you already use YouTube TV or are considering it for other channels.

YouTube occasionally runs promotions for new subscribers, such as discounts on the first month or extended trial periods. Check YouTube's website during the preseason to see what offers are current.

How to set up and watch games

To watch NFL Sunday Ticket, you create or sign into a Google account, then visit YouTube.com or open the YouTube app on your device. From there, you navigate to the NFL Sunday Ticket section and either start your free trial or enter payment information for a monthly or seasonal subscription.

You can watch on most devices: smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android), computers (Windows and Mac), and connected TV devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. The app automatically adjusts video quality based on your internet connection, so you do not need a specific speed, though YouTube recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD video.

Games appear in the YouTube TV app and the main YouTube app. You can set reminders for upcoming games, and the service shows you which games are available in your area based on your location.

Blackout rules and what games you can actually watch

Even with NFL Sunday Ticket, some games are blacked out in your area. Blackout rules prevent you from watching a game in your local market if it is being broadcast on local TV or if it is a primetime game (Thursday, Monday, or Sunday night). These rules exist to protect local broadcasters and the NFL's TV contracts.

For example, if you live in New York and the New York Giants are playing a Sunday afternoon game that airs on local TV in New York, you cannot watch that game through Sunday Ticket in New York, even though you have a subscription. You would need to watch it on the local broadcast instead.

To know which games are blocked in your area, YouTube shows you a full schedule with blackout information before you subscribe. You can enter your zip code to see exactly which games will be available to you during the season.

Comparing Sunday Ticket to other ways to watch NFL games

If you do not want to pay for a separate subscription, you have other options. National broadcasts on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN cover many games for free (CBS and Fox) or as part of cable or streaming packages. These networks show one game per week, so you see fewer total games than Sunday Ticket offers.

YouTube TV itself includes live CBS, Fox, and NBC, so you can watch national broadcasts without Sunday Ticket. If you only care about your local team or national games, YouTube TV alone may be enough.

The NFL also offers NFL+, a separate subscription that streams some games on phones and tablets (not TV), though it has its own blackout rules and does not include all the games that Sunday Ticket does. NFL+ costs less than Sunday Ticket but covers fewer games and has more restrictions on where you can watch.

What happens when the NFL season ends

NFL Sunday Ticket is only available during the regular season and playoffs. Once the Super Bowl ends in early February, the service stops broadcasting games and your subscription ends. You do not pay for it during the offseason.

If you subscribed on a monthly basis, your last charge occurs in the month the season ends. If you paid for the full season upfront, your access straightforward stops when the season concludes. YouTube sends you a reminder before the season ends so you know when to expect the service to go dark.

When the next NFL season begins (usually in early September), you can subscribe again. YouTube typically opens a new free trial period at the start of each season.

Technical requirements and troubleshooting

To watch NFL Sunday Ticket, you need a stable internet connection. YouTube recommends at least 5 Mbps for HD video and 25 Mbps for 4K video if your device supports it. If your internet is slower, the video will play in lower quality but should still work.

Your device must be able to run the YouTube app or access YouTube.com. This includes most phones, tablets, computers, and modern TV devices made in the last five to ten years. If you have an older TV without built-in apps, you can connect a streaming device like Roku or Apple TV to it.

If you experience buffering or freezing during games, try moving closer to your router, restarting your device, or closing other apps that use your internet. If problems persist, contact YouTube support through the YouTube app or website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Sunday Ticket games on my TV?

Yes. You can watch on any TV that has the YouTube app built in, or by connecting a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Google TV. You can also cast from your phone or computer to a compatible TV using Chromecast or AirPlay.

Do I need cable to use NFL Sunday Ticket?

No. NFL Sunday Ticket works as a standalone subscription through YouTube. You do not need a cable package. You only need a Google account and an internet connection.

What if I want to watch just one team all season?

Sunday Ticket is the best option if you want to watch every game of one team, since it shows all out-of-market games. However, check the blackout schedule first — games in your local market or primetime games will still be blacked out. For some teams, YouTube TV alone may cover most games if you live in or near their market.

Can I share my subscription with family members in another house?

YouTube's terms of service restrict account sharing. Your subscription is tied to your Google account, and sharing login credentials with people outside your household may violate the terms. YouTube TV has specific rules about simultaneous streams and household members; check YouTube's current policy for details.

What if I only want to watch playoffs and the Super Bowl?

You cannot subscribe to just the playoffs. Sunday Ticket requires a subscription for the full season. However, the Super Bowl is broadcast nationally on free TV, so you can watch it without any subscription.