As of December 30, 2024, the regular season for the 2024-2025 NFL season is in its final stages. According to the season schedule, the regular season consists of 272 games, with each team playing 17 regular season games.
Season Schedule:
- Regular season: will begin on September 5, 2024, and is expected to end on January 5, 2025
- Playoffs: will begin on January 11, 2025
During the final week of the regular season (Week 18), all games are intra-divisional matchups as follows:
- Saturday, January 4: 2 games
- Sunday, January 5: 14 games
Don’t want to miss a single NFL game? We’ve got all the ways to get your on-screen drama fix. With our selection of the best VPNs, you can watch the games live online in HD and cheer on your favorite team, whether you’re in the US, UK, or anywhere else in the world!
Watch NFL Games Live on major streaming platforms
There are a variety of ways to watch games during the 2024-2025 NFL season, primarily through multiple streaming platforms. If you have a strong sense of copyright and want to watch genuine live matches, then a streaming platform that buys the rights is undoubtedly the best option. But how do you find the most affordable viewing option?
I’ve listed a comparison of some of the major streaming platforms, including their pros and cons, payment, and the possibility of viewing across regions.
Keep on reading to have access to these major streaming platforms. Of course,I will tell you the advantages and cons of these platforms and how to bypass restrictions.
Paramount+
Paramount+ is the CBS streaming service that owns the rights to livestream NFL games, including select regular season and playoff games. Specifically, Paramount+ can livestream NFL games televised by CBS, which includes weekly non-primetime games and major events such as the Super Bowl.
Pros of Watching NFL on Paramount+：
- 1. NFL games are available on all Paramount+ subscription plans, including the base ad-supported plan and the ad-free Showtime plan. Subscribers can access live content through Paramount+’s app or website.
- 2. Paramount+ supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more, ensuring that users can watch the game on different platforms.
- 3. Reasonably priced: Paramount+ has a relatively low subscription cost of about $5.99 per month for the base plan for those looking to watch NFL games at a lower cost.
- 4. Rich Content: In addition to NFL games, Paramount+ offers a wide range of film and television content, including other CBS programs and movies, so subscribers can enjoy a diverse range of entertainment options.
Here is the biggest limitations of Paramount+:
- Paramount+ is primarily available in the United States, and users may need to use a VPN to access the platform outside of the United States. While Paramount+ is also available in some international markets (e.g., Canada and Latin America), the exact content that can be viewed may vary by region.
If you are not in the US and want to use Paramount+ to watch games, you can try to use ExpressVPN or NordVPN. They can help you bypass regional restrictions and get rid of advertising distractions.
ESPN+
ESPN is a sports television channel that stands for Entertainment Sports Programming Network.
ESPN+ is a sports streaming media service in the U.S. What is a streaming media service? Streaming media services are like YouTube or Netflix, at any time you guys can watch the video you want to watch. ESPN+ is not a TV channel, so if you want to watch it, you have to pay $4.99 per month, or $49.99 for a yearly subscription, but starting August 12, 2020, it will increase to $5.99 per month.
On ESPN+ you can watch professional sports, college sports, original programming, and other shows.ESPN+ can live stream several NFL games, primarily including Monday Night Football each week and a number of special programs such as the ManningCast. During the 2024 season, ESPN+ will offer live streaming of 13 NFL games, including nine games that air on ABC and some special ManningCast programs.
Pros of Watching NFL on ESPN+ ：
- Offers a wide range of sports, including select NFL games.
- Subscription costs $9.99/month for those who enjoy a wide range of sports content.
Limitations:
- Some important games (e.g., Monday Night Football) may require an additional fee.
- Available only in the U.S.; a VPN is required for cross-region viewing.
You can use the below VPN to access ESPN+. It’s worth noting that ESPN+ doesn’t offer live streaming of all NFL games; you can only watch specific games and programs. For example, some games on Monday Night Football need to be watched on ESPN or ABC, not just ESPN+. But if you just want to watch the playoffs, ESPN+ is one of the best options.
Just have a try!
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu, like ESPN+, is one of Disney’s three flagship online paid subscription services(the other two being Disney). Hulu includes channels such as ESPN for those who wish to watch a variety of content through a single subscription, it offers a free trial period.
How to Watch NFL Games Live on Hulu + Live TV
- 1. Subscribe to Hulu + Live TV
- Visit the Hulu website and select the Hulu + Live TV package, currently priced at approximately $76.99 per month.
- Sign up or sign in to your Hulu account.
- 2. Choose a Device
- Hulu + Live TV supports a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming media players (e.g., Roku, Apple TV), game consoles, and mobile devices. Make sure your device has the latest Hulu app installed.
- 3. Find Live Channels
- Hulu + Live TV offers channels like ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX, and NFL Network where you can watch NFL games.
- Enter your zip code to see the local channels available in your area.
- 4. Use the Cloud DVR feature
- If you can’t watch the game in real-time, you can use Hulu’s Cloud DVR feature to record the game to watch later!
Note: Certain matches may be unavailable due to regional restrictions, for example, specific local broadcasts may not be covered by your subscription. Also, If you’re using Hulu + Live TV outside of the US, specific matches may be blacked out and unavailable for copyright reasons
Ways to Bypass Restrictions
1. Use a VPN
- If you’re outside the US, you can use a VPN service (like PureVPN) to connect to US servers to bypass geo-restrictions and access Hulu + Live TV3.
- Download and install the VPN app, connect to a US node, and then access the Hulu website or app.
2. Sign up for a free trial
- Hulu + Live TV typically offers a free trial period, which new subscribers can take advantage of to watch NFL games without having to pay for a subscription right away!
YouTube TV
YouTube TV offers comprehensive NFL live streaming, including Sunday and Monday games. It supports cloud DVR features for easy recording and playback. But, YouTube TV is more expensive with a monthly fee of around $72.99. It is only available in the US, international users need to use a VPN.
How to Watch NFL Games Live On YouTube TV
1. Subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket
- Visit YouTube TV and select NFL Sunday Ticket to subscribe. If you haven’t signed up for YouTube TV yet, you’ll need to create an account and select the appropriate subscription first.
2. Log in to your account
Sign in to the YouTube app or tv.youtube.com with the same Google account you used to purchase NFL Sunday Ticket.
3. Find a game and watch
- In the app, you can find relevant channels and upcoming games by searching for “NFL”. Matches will be displayed on the homepage and NFL channel page.
- Select a live game to start watching. If the game hasn’t started yet, you can set a reminder to be notified when the game starts.
YouTube TV allows users to watch up to four games simultaneously. You can find the MultiView option about 20 minutes before the match starts.
YouTube TV usually offers a 7-day free trial during which you can watch NFL games without having to pay immediately. Note that the NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube does not include Sunday Night Football, which airs on NBC, and Monday Night Football, which airs on ESPN, as well as preseason and postseason games.
Amazon Prime Video
If you only want to watch Thursday night NFL games, the best program for you is Amazon Prime Video. It exclusively streams Thursday night NFL games for Prime members.
Membership is included in the Prime subscription and costs around $14.99 per month. (Thursday games only, other games need to be watched through other platforms.) And it’s only available in select regions such as the US and UK, other regions require a VPN.
How to Watch NFL Games Live On Amazon Prime Video
1. Subscribe to Amazon Prime
- First, you need to have a valid Amazon Prime membership account. New subscribers can enjoy a 30-day free trial.
2. Accessing Prime Video
- Log in to your Amazon account and go to the Prime Video interface.
3. Find Thursday Night Football
- NFL games are primarily broadcast on Prime Video through Thursday Night Football (TNF). You can find the relevant live stream link on the homepage or through the search function.
As you watch, you can utilize the X-Ray feature to get real-time stats and game analysis, which provides you with a more in-depth viewing experience.
NFL Game Pass
NFL Game Pass offers live streaming and replay of all NFL games for loyal fans. And it’s accessible to international subscribers for about $125/season.
How to Watch NFL Games Live on NFL Game Pass
1. Subscribe to NFL Game Pass
- Visit the official NFL website or relevant streaming platforms (e.g. DAZN), select NFL Game Pass, and register. You can choose an annual subscription (approximately $99.99) or a monthly subscription (approximately $9.99).
2. Select a viewing device
- NFL Game Pass supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and streaming devices (e.g., Roku, Apple TV, etc.).
With NFL Game Pass, you can watch more than 230 games live, including regular season and playoff games. Replays and highlights of games are also available. You can also download the NFL Game Pass mobile app to watch games and related content on the go.
Here is the Restriction:
In the United States, NFL Game Pass does not allow live streaming of locally broadcast games. If you’re in the US, you can use a VPN service (such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN) to connect to a non-US server to bypass the blackout policy and access the full live stream. Choose a reliable VPN provider and connect to a country that allows access to NFL Game Pass (e.g. Europe or other regions)
FuboTV
FuboTV is a streaming service platform that specializes in live sports, FuboTV has over 200 channels, including several live sports channels for sports fans. Its subscription options are flexible, with no long-term contracts that can be canceled at any time, and it also allows users to record and replay games.
While FuboTV offers a wide range of sports content, certain specific events (such as Thursday Night Football) may not be covered.
If you’re outside the U.S., you can use a VPN (such as ExpressVPN) to connect to a U.S. server to bypass geo-restrictions and access FuboTV. If you just want to watch a game or games, you can take advantage of the 7-day free trial offered by FuboTV and watch NFL games during that time without having to pay a fee. (After that the monthly fee is about $74.99) FuboTV’s subscription costs are relatively high compared to other streaming services.
How to watch NFL games live On FuboTV
1. Subscribe to FuboTV
- Go to the FuboTV website to sign up for an account and choose the subscription plan that’s right for you.FuboTV offers a 7-day free trial, after which monthly fees start at around $74.99.
2. Select Device
- FuboTV supports a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming media players (e.g. Roku, Apple TV), mobile devices, and computers. Make sure you have the FuboTV app installed.
3. Find NFL Games
- Once logged in, you can find live streaming links for NFL games on the main screen, usually displayed under the Sports section. FuboTV offers live streaming on channels such as CBS, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
FuboTV also offers a cloud DVR feature that allows you to record the game for later viewing. The basic plan offers 30 hours of storage, which can be upgraded to 500 hours.
Where can I watch the NFL for free?
Most streaming platforms require users to pay a subscription fee, especially services that offer NFL games. While some platforms offer free trials or free content, the selection of this content is usually more limited. If you want to save money, try the following free options.
Free Watch Options
- StreamEast: StreamEast offers live streaming of multiple games, including Thursday, Sunday and Monday games.
- 7Plus (Australia): selected NFL games can be watched for free in Australia.
- 6play (France): French viewers can watch selected games for free through this platform.
- CCTV-5 (China): CCTV sports channel will broadcast some NFL games, but the coverage is limited.
Other ways to watch NFL games for free
- Verizon: If you’re a Verizon subscriber, you can watch weekly live NFL games for free on the NFL mobile app.
- Twitch: weekly NFL games on Thursdays can be watched for free on Twitch.
- Amazon Prime: new subscribers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial to watch NFL games.
- Kodi: By installing a third-party plugin (such as Sportsdevil or Cloud TV), you can watch NFL games for free on Kodi.
While all of these free platforms allow you to watch NFL games live, we don’t advocate it and please try to use a legal streaming service to watch NFL games to avoid potential legal issues. Many streaming services (e.g., Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, etc.) offer a free trial period during which you can watch NFL games without paying. Please note that care must be taken when using any free streaming service to protect your personal information and the security of your device.
To avoid geo-restrictions and copyright issues, you can connect using a VPN such as ExpressVPN. This will help you hide your IP address and access restricted content, and these VPNs can also help you block ads for the best viewing experience.