Football Season Is Back, but the Viewing Game Has Changed: Here’s How to Watch All NFL Games!

The rosters are set, your team has been training hard to build a winning team, and you can almost taste the gameday snacks on the menu. If you’re a football fan, you’re ready to celebrate: NFL season is back, baby! At the same time, if you’ve been watching for years—or decades—you’ve likely noticed that watching the next game isn’t as easy as donning your team’s jersey, turning on the TV, and flipping the channel. In many markets, streaming platforms have won the battle over satellite, scattering games across multiple networks, platforms, and premium packages. So, if you’re wondering how to watch all NFL games (or just Monday night), you’re not alone. 

In recent years, the NFL has rewritten its playbook. For instance, Sunday Ticket has moved to YouTube. If you want to catch Thursday Night Football, it’s now on Amazon Prime Video. Even Netflix has embrace sports with holiday game exclusives. Add in the launch of new services from ESPN and FOX, combined with streaming-only matchups on Peacock and Paramount+… it’s hard to know where to watch your game before the first huddle. 

Whether you’re only interested in your hometown heroes or want to catch every nationally televised showdown possible, we’ve got you covered with where to tune in and how to watch all NFL games—or just a chosen few. 

Recent NFL Viewing Shakeups

Even if you’re fairly new to football, you’re probably pretty used to the lineup changing. A new star quarterback hits the field. A favorite running back moves on to a new team. Or there’s a contract battle with the latest player or coach. There’s a lot of excitement both on the field and behind the scenes. That’s also true with the broadcast lineup, which has gone through a major offseason shakeup. 

The way you watch games in the fall of 2025 depends on several factors, including who’s playing, who has the rights, and even when (i.e., what day), the games are played.

Here’s a quick rundown: 

• Sunday Ticket: Once a DirecTV exclusive, the NFL Sunday Ticket now calls YouTube home. If you once relied on your satellite dish to bring your favorite hometown team into your living room, that’s no longer needed—and may not be allowed. 
  ‍
• Thursday Night Football also has a new playbook. It now comes to you live exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, though there are some rare local TV simulcasts in participating markets. And if you keep football running through Thanksgiving into Black Friday, you’ll find that game on Prime as well.
  ‍
• The holidays could keep you guessing with some more surprises. For example, Netflix has locked down select Christmas Day games. 
  ‍
• You can still catch some games on Classic Networks. For instance, CBS (via Paramount+), Fox (launching the new Fox One service), NBC (via Peacock), and ESPN/ABC will continue to handle most national broadcasts. However, because many games stream on their own platforms, a single cable or streaming subscription is unlikely to cover all of your favorite teams.

The NFL is spreading the field, so many fans will need multiple platforms to see every down, drive, and highlight. The streaming first future of the game will be coming to you via ESPN and Fox One with expanded mobile offerings from NFL+, including replays and RedZone on the go. 

What if you’re hanging onto the dish service that has served you well in the past? DirecTV and DISH Network still allow you to catch much of the action, including local network games, Sunday Night Football on NBC, and most Monday Night Football matches. You can also catch some Thursday night simulcasts and NFL Network games, as long as your package includes them. 

But here’s the hard truth: if you stick with tradition, you’ll miss out on some streaming-only exclusives like out-of-market Sunday games. So, if you really can’t miss any games, you’ll have to adapt to a new hybrid game plan with both satellite and streaming services.  

The Clearest Cut Ways to Watch the NFL

‍Fan Type: Die-Hard Fans

‍What You’ll Need: YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket + Prime Video + Netflix + Peacock + Paramount+ + ESPN Direct

‍

‍What to Expect: If you want to watch every NFL game (all 272)—including every regular season game, primetime matchup, holiday game, and even out-of-market games—you’ll need all the coverage from all the services.

‍

Estimated Cost: Somewhere between $500 and $650/year.

‍

Pros: You’ll get complete coverage, no gaps, to catch every play.

‍

Cons: You’ll also pay the highest cost, as you’ll need multiple apps/streaming services. This also increases the complexity and requires a strong internet connection to keep you in the game.

‍

Fan Type: Sport Saver

‍What You’ll Need: Digital antenna + 2 to 3 streaming services (such as Prime Video + Peacock + Paramount+). Which services you pick will depend on your local market and team preferences.

‍

What to Expect: If you want all your local games plus some of the most important primetime or exclusive games, this will give it to you at a lower cost.

‍

Estimated Cost: $150 to $250/year.

‍

Pros: Get a great value with minimal overlap and the flexibility you need to watch the games you love.

‍

Cons: Misses some of the out-of-market games and exclusives—but isn’t that what friends are for?

‍

Fan Type: Team Focused

What You’ll Need: NFL + Premium + Digital antenna

‍

What to Expect: Catch your local games live and still enjoy RedZone, coach’s film, and select highlights—perfect for viewers who are focused on one team or just enjoy catching a game when they can and highlights when they can’t.

‍

Estimated Cost: $80 to $180/year.

‍

Pros: Clearly, the least expensive way to enjoy your team while still catching the most important highlight reels.

‍

Cons: You’ll miss most live games that aren’t in your market.

‍*Note: The costs are approximate and will depend on annual vs. monthly billing, promotions, and regional offers.

‍

Equipment & Internet for Game Day

No matter which type of fan you are, you’ll also want to make sure you are ready before kickoff with the right equipment. Ensure your setup can handle the plays with: 

1. Streaming Device or Smart TV: Choose Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or your local internet provider’s streaming service or TV interface to access the necessary apps.
   ‍
2. Reliable internet is a must. You’ll want at least 7-10 Mbps per stream for HD or 15+ Mbps for 4K. If you’re a real die-hard fan who streams multiple games at once, you’ll need to boost your speed accordingly. 
   ‍
3. Digital Antenna will get you free over-the-air local channels (e.g., CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC) for one low cost.
   ‍
4. Mobile Device or Tablet if you want to stream replay or RedZone on the go with an NFL+ subscription.
   ‍
5. HDMI Cables aren’t necessary, but they’re handy for connecting laptops or tablets to an older TV that doesn’t have built-in streaming. 

Final Game Plan for How to Watch All NFL Games You Want to Watch

The NFL’s upcoming season is shaping up to be an exciting one. But with all the games now spread across traditional networks and exclusive streaming services, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to watch. It’s all about personalizing your programming to pick the right play for you. 

It’s kind of like picking your fantasy football team. You get to choose the players (i.e., services) that cover your must-see matchups. But you also get to determine how much you’ll pay and perhaps how often you may need to buddy up with friends or head to the local sports bar. 

One thing is certain: you have lots of options for how to watch all NFL games—even if it’s just your team. But now is the time to line up your viewing strategy, so you don’t get stuck on the sidelines once the season starts.

‍