Choosing the best streaming service for NFL games in 2026 comes down to more than monthly price.
YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and Sling can all carry important NFL broadcasts, but their local channels, NFL Network access, RedZone options and out-of-market coverage differ significantly.
For most viewers, YouTube TV offers the strongest all-around NFL setup, particularly because NFL Sunday Ticket can be added directly for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
Fubo is especially strong for sports-focused households, Hulu + Live TV combines NFL coverage with a substantial entertainment bundle, and Sling offers the most flexible lower-cost options if you can live with local-channel gaps.
None of these services alone carries every NFL game. Prime Video, Netflix and occasional other streaming exclusives still require their respective platforms.
For the complete picture, our 2026 guide to watching every NFL game live and finding the correct TV channel explains how the entire broadcast package fits together.
Quick Comparison: YouTube TV vs Fubo vs Hulu vs Sling
| Feature | YouTube TV | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBS | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | No |
| FOX | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Selected markets/plans |
| NBC | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Selected markets/plans |
| ABC | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Yes in supported markets | Selected markets/plans |
| ESPN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Selected plans |
| NFL Network | Yes | Yes | Yes | Select, Blue and qualifying combinations |
| NFL RedZone | Add-on | Add-on | $9.99 Sports Add-on | Sports Extra |
| NFL Sunday Ticket | Yes, optional add-on | No | No | No |
| Unlimited DVR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Paid unlimited upgrade available |
| Main advantage | Most complete NFL ecosystem | Sports-heavy lineup | NFL + Disney/Hulu/ESPN bundle | Flexible lower-cost plans |
| Main drawback | Higher base cost | No Sunday Ticket | Expensive base package | Incomplete local coverage |
Local channels always depend on your television market, so check your ZIP code before purchasing any service.
Which Is the Best Streaming Service for NFL Games?
For the widest combination of NFL coverage and convenience, YouTube TV is our top overall choice.
Its regular live TV service provides major local and national networks in supported markets, and it is the only service in this comparison that lets subscribers add NFL Sunday Ticket directly for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
YouTube TV’s current main plan is $82.99 per month, with more than 100 channels, unlimited DVR, up to six household accounts and three simultaneous streams.
That does not mean it is the best value for every fan.
If you watch only ESPN and a handful of national games, Sling can cost substantially less. If your household consumes multiple sports leagues, Fubo deserves serious consideration. If you already value Disney+, Hulu and ESPN content, Hulu + Live TV may justify its higher monthly price.
The right answer depends on how you watch football.
1. YouTube TV: Best Overall for NFL Fans
YouTube TV’s biggest advantage is not simply its channel lineup. It is the way the service connects local games, national NFL broadcasts and NFL Sunday Ticket under one ecosystem.
The main YouTube TV plan currently costs $82.99 per month, although promotional pricing is frequently available for new subscribers.
Google’s current plan page lists more than 100 channels, local stations, unlimited DVR, six household accounts and three simultaneous streams.
NFL Channels on YouTube TV
Depending on your market, the primary plan provides access to networks such as:
- CBS
- FOX
- NBC
- ABC
- ESPN
- NFL Network
Those channels cover much of the conventional NFL schedule.
You will still need separate access for digital exclusives such as:
- Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football package
- Netflix NFL games
- Any Peacock-exclusive matchup not simulcast on NBC
NFL Sunday Ticket Is the Major Advantage
YouTube is the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket.
Sunday Ticket provides eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, making YouTube TV particularly attractive to fans who follow a team outside their local television market.
For the 2026 season, YouTube currently advertises NFL Sunday Ticket at $240 for eligible new customers, while returning-user pricing is higher. It can be added to YouTube TV or purchased separately through YouTube.
That integration is something Fubo, Hulu and Sling cannot currently match.
YouTube TV Sports Features
Football viewers also get features such as:
- Multiview
- Unlimited DVR
- Key Plays View
- Stats integration
- Fantasy-related viewing features
- Multiple household profiles
YouTube specifically promotes Multiview as a way to watch several NFL games simultaneously, which is useful during crowded Sunday afternoon windows.
Who Should Choose YouTube TV?
YouTube TV makes the most sense if:
- You follow an out-of-market NFL team.
- You want Sunday Ticket.
- You want local and national games in the same service.
- You value unlimited DVR.
- You want to watch multiple games simultaneously.
- NFL coverage matters more than getting the absolute lowest monthly price.
Best for: The most complete mainstream NFL streaming setup.
2. Fubo: Best for Sports-Heavy Households
Fubo approaches live TV from a sports-first perspective.
Its current NFL lineup includes CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, subject to local availability. That gives subscribers access to Sunday afternoon games, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football and NFL Network games through one service.
Fubo also includes unlimited cloud DVR and offers Multiview functionality.
NFL RedZone on Fubo
Subscribers can add Sports Plus with NFL RedZone for $10.99 per month.
Fubo’s current NFL guide confirms that the add-on includes RedZone along with additional sports networks.
Fubo is therefore particularly attractive to viewers who follow the NFL alongside college football, soccer, baseball and other sports.
The Main Fubo Limitation
Fubo does not provide NFL Sunday Ticket.
Its own NFL information acknowledges that out-of-market Sunday afternoon games require Sunday Ticket rather than Fubo.
That becomes a significant disadvantage if you live outside your favorite team’s broadcast market.
A Cowboys fan living in Dallas might find Fubo excellent because many games are already local or nationally televised. A Seahawks fan living in Miami who wants every Seattle Sunday afternoon game would still need Sunday Ticket separately.
Who Should Choose Fubo?
Fubo is worth considering if:
- NFL is one of several sports you follow.
- You want CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN and NFL Network together.
- You want RedZone.
- You value Multiview and unlimited DVR.
- You do not need Sunday Ticket.
Best for: Sports-focused households that want broad channel coverage without traditional cable.
3. Hulu + Live TV: Best NFL and Entertainment Bundle
Hulu + Live TV takes a different approach.
Rather than positioning itself primarily as a sports platform, the service combines live television with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN access.
For new subscriptions, Hulu’s official pricing page currently lists Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ and ESPN Select at $99.99 per month. Hulu notes that these updated prices apply to new subscriptions from September 23, 2026.
Subscribers also receive access to the broader ESPN Unlimited experience through the ESPN app under the current Live TV package structure.
NFL Coverage on Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV provides major NFL channels including:
- Local broadcast networks where available
- ESPN
- NFL Network
Hulu confirms that NFL Network is included for Live TV subscribers.
That means the service can cover local Sunday games, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football and NFL Network games depending on your location.
NFL RedZone on Hulu
NFL RedZone requires Hulu’s Sports Add-on, which currently costs $9.99 per month.
This is one of the cheaper RedZone add-on prices among the major full live TV providers.
What Hulu Does Not Have
Hulu does not sell NFL Sunday Ticket.
You’ll also still need standalone services for certain digital exclusives, including Prime Video and Netflix.
The Entertainment Advantage
The reason to choose Hulu over YouTube TV or Fubo is broader household value.
The standard Live TV package includes:
- Live television
- Hulu
- Disney+
- ESPN-related content
- Unlimited DVR
If your household already pays separately for Hulu and Disney+, consolidating those services can make the high base price easier to justify.
Who Should Choose Hulu + Live TV?
Hulu is strongest for households that:
- Want NFL and general entertainment together.
- Already use Disney+ and Hulu.
- Need ESPN.
- Want NFL Network.
- Want optional RedZone.
- Do not need Sunday Ticket.
Best for: Families wanting NFL coverage and a large entertainment bundle in one subscription.
4. Sling: Best Budget and Flexible NFL Option
Sling has changed significantly in 2026 and now offers more plan combinations than the traditional Orange-versus-Blue choice.
Its main advantage remains flexibility.
Current options include:
- Sling Essentials — $19.99/month
- Sling Select — $24.99/month
- Essentials + Select — $39.99/month
- Sling Orange — $45.99/month
- Sling Blue — $49.99/month
- Orange & Blue — $64.99/month
Sling lists those prices on its current plan page, although pricing and local-network fees can vary.
Sling Essentials
Essentials includes ESPN and ESPN2, making it an unusually inexpensive way to get access to Monday Night Football coverage carried on ESPN.
Sling Select
Select includes:
- NFL Network
- FS1
- FOX in selected markets
- NBC in selected markets
- ABC in selected markets
Sling’s official Select page confirms NFL Network and notes that local channels depend on the viewer’s market.
Essentials + Select
For NFL viewers who want both ESPN and NFL Network without moving to a larger traditional package, Essentials + Select is particularly interesting.
Sling lists ESPN, NFL Network, FS1 and selected local FOX, ABC and NBC stations in this combination.
Sling Orange & Blue
The larger Orange & Blue plan combines ESPN with NFL Network and other sports channels.
Sling’s current channel lineup shows ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network and FS1, with selected local stations depending on market availability.
NFL RedZone on Sling
NFL RedZone is available through Sports Extra with qualifying Sling plans.
Sling currently recommends combinations such as:
- Select + Sports Extra
- Blue + Sports Extra
- Essentials + Select + Sports Extra
- Orange & Blue + Sports Extra
for NFL RedZone access.
Sling’s Biggest NFL Weakness: CBS
Sling does not carry CBS.
Its own NFL information explicitly notes that Sling does not provide CBS or Amazon Prime Video.
That matters because CBS carries a major share of Sunday afternoon NFL games.
You may be able to solve part of the problem with:
Sling + an over-the-air antenna
An antenna can provide CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC where local reception permits, while Sling supplies ESPN, NFL Network and other cable channels.
This can be one of the most cost-efficient NFL setups for viewers willing to use multiple sources.
Who Should Choose Sling?
Sling works best if:
- Price matters more than having everything in one app.
- You receive local channels through an antenna.
- You mainly need ESPN or NFL Network.
- You want RedZone without buying a $100 live TV package.
- You are comfortable checking which local networks Sling carries in your city.
Best for: Budget-conscious NFL fans willing to customize their setup.
YouTube TV vs Fubo for NFL
This is probably the closest direct comparison.
Both can provide:
- CBS
- FOX
- NBC
- ABC
- ESPN
- NFL Network
- NFL RedZone as an add-on
- Unlimited DVR
- Multiview-style sports viewing
The deciding factor is NFL Sunday Ticket.
Only YouTube provides Sunday Ticket.
If you follow your local team and watch several other sports leagues, Fubo is highly competitive.
If you follow an out-of-market NFL team, YouTube TV has a decisive advantage because you can integrate Sunday Ticket directly.
Winner for most NFL fans: YouTube TV.
YouTube TV vs Hulu for NFL
Both services offer broad local and national NFL coverage.
YouTube TV wins for football-specific features because it provides:
- NFL Sunday Ticket
- Multiview
- Strong sports viewing tools
Hulu’s advantage is its entertainment ecosystem.
The current Live TV subscription also includes Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN access.
Choose YouTube TV for an NFL-first household.
Choose Hulu + Live TV when football is only part of a broader Disney/Hulu entertainment subscription.
Fubo vs Hulu for NFL
Fubo is more sports-focused.
Hulu provides greater bundled entertainment value.
Both offer:
- Local NFL networks where available
- ESPN
- NFL Network
- RedZone as an add-on
- Unlimited DVR
Neither provides Sunday Ticket.
If you regularly watch several sports leagues, Fubo has the stronger sports identity.
If Disney+, Hulu and ESPN entertainment content matter to the entire household, Hulu offers the stronger bundle.
Hulu vs Sling for NFL
These two services represent opposite strategies.
Hulu tries to put most major channels into one relatively expensive package.
Sling lets you assemble a cheaper lineup.
Hulu is easier.
Sling can be cheaper.
The tradeoff is that Sling’s local broadcast coverage is far less complete, particularly because it does not carry CBS.
If convenience matters, choose Hulu.
If monthly cost matters and you can supplement Sling with an antenna, Sling can deliver substantially better value.
Which Service Has NFL RedZone?
All four can provide RedZone, but none includes it in the normal base package being compared here.
Current options include:
- YouTube TV: Sports add-on
- Fubo: Sports Plus with NFL RedZone — $10.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV: Sports Add-on — $9.99/month
- Sling: Sports Extra with qualifying packages
For someone who wants only RedZone rather than a full live TV service, NFL+ Premium may be more economical than any of these packages.
Which Service Has NFL Sunday Ticket?
Only YouTube.
YouTube distributes NFL Sunday Ticket through both YouTube TV and standalone YouTube Primetime Channels.
Fubo, Hulu and Sling do not offer Sunday Ticket.
That makes YouTube particularly important for viewers who want to follow a team outside their local CBS or FOX market.
Do Any of These Services Include Every NFL Game?
No.
Even the most complete live TV package has gaps.
Depending on the 2026 schedule, you may separately need:
- Prime Video
- Netflix
- Peacock for certain exclusive coverage
- NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market Sunday games
No live TV provider changes the underlying NFL media-rights agreements.
Which Is Cheapest for NFL?
There is no universal winner because the answer depends on what you want.
Cheapest for ESPN
Sling Essentials currently starts at $19.99 per month and includes ESPN and ESPN2.
Cheapest for NFL Network
Sling Select currently starts at $24.99 per month and includes NFL Network.
Cheapest Combination for ESPN + NFL Network
Essentials + Select currently starts around $39.99 per month and combines those networks, with selected local channels depending on market.
Best for Complete Local + National Coverage
YouTube TV, Fubo and Hulu are easier because they provide a broader local and national television lineup.
Best for Out-of-Market Games
YouTube wins because of NFL Sunday Ticket.
Our Recommendations by Viewer Type
Best overall: YouTube TV
The best combination of major NFL channels, DVR, Multiview and optional Sunday Ticket.
Best for sports fans: Fubo
Strong NFL coverage alongside a broad sports lineup and optional RedZone.
Best entertainment bundle: Hulu + Live TV
A strong choice when Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN content matter beyond football.
Best budget choice: Sling
Much cheaper entry points, particularly if an antenna fills the local-channel gaps.
Best for out-of-market team fans: YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket
Sunday Ticket is the deciding factor.
Best for NFL RedZone only: Consider NFL+ Premium before paying for a full live TV service.
FAQs
Is YouTube TV or Fubo better for NFL games?
YouTube TV has the advantage for most serious NFL fans because NFL Sunday Ticket can be added directly. Fubo provides strong local and national NFL coverage but does not include out-of-market Sunday Ticket games.
Is Fubo or Hulu better for NFL?
Fubo is generally more attractive to sports-heavy households, while Hulu + Live TV offers greater entertainment value through its Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN bundle. Both provide major NFL networks in supported markets.
Is Sling good for watching NFL games?
Yes, particularly for budget-conscious viewers, but Sling has important gaps. It does not carry CBS, and FOX, NBC and ABC availability depends on the market and plan.
Which streaming service has NFL Network?
YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV and several Sling plans all provide NFL Network.
Which streaming service has NFL RedZone?
All four services offer a way to add NFL RedZone through an eligible sports package. Prices and plan requirements differ.
Which service has NFL Sunday Ticket?
YouTube is the exclusive Sunday Ticket distributor. You can purchase it with YouTube TV or as a standalone subscription through YouTube.
Can I watch every NFL game with YouTube TV?
Not with the base subscription alone. YouTube TV covers many local and national games, while Sunday Ticket adds eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Prime Video, Netflix and certain other exclusive broadcasts can still require separate subscriptions.
Which streaming service is best if I only watch my local team?
You may not need Sunday Ticket at all. Compare which service carries your local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC affiliates plus ESPN and NFL Network. An antenna can also significantly reduce the cost.
