How to Watch 2025-26 NFL Games Online Without Cable

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The 2025-26 NFL season kicks off with the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC rivalry game on NBC taking place on Thursday, Sept 4.

And with a tough 18-week season, it’s unclear if the Eagles will repeat as Super Bowl Champions, or if another team will hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. Check out the complete 2025-26 NFL season schedule here.

At a Glance: Watch the 2025-26 NFL Season Online

If you’re looking for ways to watch NFL games online without cable, read on below.

How to Watch NFL Season Without Cable: Stream Online Free

Cable subscribers can watch the NFL season on TV across ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network.

Cord-cutters can stream the games on internet-based streaming cable services, like DirecTV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV — some of which even offer free trials. In addition, games are available to stream on NFL+, the new ESPN Unlimited, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and Netflix.

Below, keep reading for the best online TV streaming services and video-on-demand platforms that give you a front-row seat to the NFL.

Editors’ choice

DirecTV

Watch the 2025-26 NFL season with DirecTV, which carries CBS, ESPN, ABC, Fox, NBC and NFL Network, along with more than 90 other channels — such as AMC, Bravo, CNBC, Disney Channel and others.

The streamer has a free five-day trial available that allows you to watch the NFL. Afterwards, you can either cancel the service or keep watching, with prices starting as low as $49.99 for the first month of service ($84.99 per month afterward) for the entry-level Entertainment package.

Fans can also watch NFL football games online through Fubo, which starts at $54.99 for the first month ($84.99 per month afterward), for more than 240 channels, including ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network. You can record over 1,000 hours of TV shows, movies, games and more.

Right now, you can get $30 off your first month of service with Fubo’s current deals. If you want to watch a selection of NFL games live online for free, the online TV streaming service offers a seven-day trial for new subscribers.

best streaming bundle

Hulu + Live TV

A subscription to Hulu + Live TV is one of the best streaming services for watching NFL games on ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network. The cable streamer carries over 90 live channels starting at $82.99 per month with ads and comes with Hulu’s entire streaming library, Disney+ and ESPN Select. It includes unlimited cloud DVR, too. Hulu offers a three-day free trial to try before you buy a monthly subscription.

Best wallet-Friendly

Sling

Sling TV is one of the cheapest options for new live TV streaming subscribers who want to watch NFL games on ABC, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network. The Sling Orange + Blue plan also includes Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, CNN, Fox News, TNT, TBS, Bravo, FreeForm, QVC, MSNBC and much more. Pricing and channel availability depend on your location and TV market.

Best For Die-Hard NFL Fans

NFL+

NFL+ is the football league’s own streaming service. It gets you the most comprehensive coverage online. Starting at $6.99 per month (or $49.99 per year), the service offers live out-of-market preseason games, live local and primetime regular season and postseason games — including playoff games, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl — local and national radio game broadcasts, the NFL Network and the NFL Films archive.

Best For ‘Monday Night Football’

ESPN Unlimited

ESPN Unlimited is live-streaming NFL games this season. If you’re not a subscriber, you can sign up for ESPN Unlimited and get Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99 per month for the first 12 months.

ESPN Unlimited includes all of the sports network’s channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ABC on ESPN, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and others, as well as original programming, such as The Pat McAfee Show, 30 For 30, McEnroe’s Places, Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, Southern Hoops: A History of SEC Basketball, Deion’s Double Play and others. Meanwhile, it comes with streaming access to live sports from NBA, UFC, Formula 1, NHL, MLB and other sports leagues.

Best For NFL on NBC

Peacock

Peacock has NFL on NBC games streaming online. Subscriptions are $10.99 monthly (or $109.99 yearly) for the ad-free plan or $16.99 per month (or $169.99 annually) for the ad-free Premium Plus package. Aside from the NFL, you’ll get access to originals like Poker Face, Love Island USA, The Traitors, Ted and others; hit movies like Megan, The Phoenician Scheme, Drop, The Bad Guys, Joy Ride and others; live sports and entertainment from NBC Sports; and more than 50 “always-on” streaming channels.

Related: The Best Peacock Streaming Deals

best for NFL ON CBS

Paramount+

Watch NFL on CBS games for free with a seven-day trial to Paramount+, which offers CBS and CBS Sports Network during the 2025-26 NFL season. Paramount+ is $7.99 per month for the basic ad-supported Essential plan or $12.99 monthly for the Paramount+ Premium package. Save 16 percent when you sign up for an annual package ($60 or $120 per year, respectively).

Best for ‘Thursday Night Football’

Prime Video

Prime Video features Thursday Night Football games throughout the season. New subscribers can get a free 30-day trial for Prime Video; after that, it auto-renews at $8.99 per month (as a standalone service). Amazon Prime, as a whole, goes for $14.99 per month, or $139 per year — a nearly 25 percent savings compared to paying the regular monthly price.

Amazon Prime includes access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music Prime; as well as fast free shipping on most items sold from the online retailer with Prime Delivery; in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — like Prime Day and Black Friday — and much more.

How to Watch the 2025-26 NFL Season With Cable

NFL games broadcast on ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network in the U.S. You can watch those channels online on their respective websites by logging in with your cable TV provider account.

Where to Buy NFL Tickets Online

Want to watch NFL games in person? Tickets are available for the NFL season at StubHub, Ticket Liquidator, Ticketmaster and GameTime — prices depend on the city and seat location. For more info, visit NFL.com.

One of the best deals on last-minute tickets right now is at Ticket Network, which offers THR readers $150 off orders of $500 with promo code THR150 or $300 off $1,000 and up with code THR300.

Meanwhile, other deals on tickets can be found at Vivid Seats, where you can save $20 with code THR30; or at SeatGeek where you can use promo code HOLLYWOOD10 to save $10 on eligible purchases of $250 and up.