Football frenzy is back (sort of)! While the 2024 NFL preseason doesn’t commence until August 1st, the full 18-week regular season schedule has finally released, unofficially launching the 2024-25 NFL campaign. Ready for some pigskin pandemonium? This season, NFL games will broadcast across a dizzying array of over 10 channels and streaming platforms. If wrangling your favorite team’s games through the upcoming season – from the NFL kickoff to Super Bowl LIX – seems overwhelming, Opportuneist.com has your playbook. Here’s how to watch every epic 2024-25 NFL showdown.
How to Watch the 2024 NFL Season:
YouTube TV Premier Option for the 2024 NFL Season
Try free at YouTube
Dates: Sept. 4, 2024 – Feb. 9, 2025
TV Channels: ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+, Paramount+, NFL+
2024 NFL Season Opening Week Schedule:
Week 1 kicks off with the Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 8:20 p.m. ET, nationally broadcast on NBC and streaming live on Peacock. The next day, the Eagles and Packers clash in Sao Paulo, Brazil in a Peacock exclusive matchup.
Here’s the complete Opening Week schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024
- Ravens vs. Chiefs: 8:20 p.m. (NBC, Peacock)
Friday, Sept. 6, 2024
- Eagles vs. Packers: 8:15 p.m. (Peacock)
Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024
- Steelers vs. Falcons: 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Cardinals vs. Bills: 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Titans vs. Bears: 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Patriots vs. Bengals: 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Texans vs. Colts: 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Jaguars vs. Dolphins: 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Panthers vs. Saints: 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Vikings vs. Giants: 1 p.m. (Fox)
- Raiders vs. Chargers: 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
- Broncos vs. Seahawks: 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
- Cowboys vs. Browns: 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
- Commanders vs. Buccaneers: 4:25 p.m. (Fox)
- Rams vs. Lions: 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Monday, Sept. 9, 2024
- Jets vs. 49ers: 8:15 p.m. (ESPN, ABC)
How to Watch NFL Games in 2024:
Many preseason NFL games broadcast locally, so catching an in-market game could be as simple as turning on your TV (or setting up a digital antenna) or getting a live TV streaming service with the right RSN (Regional Sports Network). For out-of-market games, a $5 monthly NFL+ subscription lets you stream every local and primetime regular/preseason game on your phone – but only select games on TV. Or, splurge on the expensive NFL Sunday Ticket to get every out-of-market Sunday game.
Nationally televised NFL games typically air on ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC and NFL Network. Thursday Night Football streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, some games are Peacock exclusives, CBS games stream on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, and select games hit ESPN+ this season. That’s six channels and four streaming platforms, not counting RSNs for local games or NFL+/Sunday Ticket for out-of-market action. Plus, Netflix is in talks to become the exclusive Christmas Day NFL games streamer this year.
Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Here’s a breakdown of recommended platforms for the 2024 NFL season, so tuning into your team’s games is turnkey once kickoff arrives…
(Fubo) Fubo TV
Fubo TV gives you ESPN, NFL Network, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC and 100+ more live channels. At $80 monthly, it’s pricey (but not the priciest option), yet offers nearly every channel needed for the NFL preseason and regular season – while still providing major cable package savings. Fubo also includes 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage and a free trial period.
PROS: Full package free trial
1000 hour cloud DVR
CONS: Cost
$79.99/month at Fubo
YouTube
YouTube TV Best for Diehard NFL Fans
YouTube TV has nearly every 2024 NFL season channel, including Fox, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN and NFL Network. Plus, it’s the home of NFL Sunday Ticket! The Sunday Ticket package alone is $349/year for EVERY Sunday out-of-market game (160+ games). But bundle Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV and it drops to $179 for the year – four $44.75 monthly payments, plus YouTube TV’s rate (currently $57.99/month for 3 months, then $72.99). That’s $1,010 total, or roughly $85 monthly.
Note: YouTube TV livestreams can lag slightly behind real-time, problematic for ultra-live viewing.
PROS: NFL Sunday Ticket bundle Almost every NFL channel
CONS: Cost and Locked into full year with Sunday Ticket
$57.99/mo for first 3 months at YouTube
DirecTV
Top Free Trial for Football DirecTV Stream currently offers its Choice tier ($109/month) bundled with 1 free month of DirecTV Sports Pack ($14.99/month) for $98.99/month (plus tax) your first month. Choice gets you NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. The Sports Pack adds ACC Network, Big Ten Network, SEC Network and local RSNs. Best of all, you can preview the whole package free for 5 days. Interested in a live TV streamer for football but not ready to commit? Start with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
Unlimited cloud DVR storage is included with any DirecTV package.
PROS: Full package free trial Many local RSNs
Unlimited cloud DVR
CONS: Cost
$85/month at DirecTV
Amazon
Amazon Prime Video Stream Thursday Night Football
Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home of Thursday Night Football games. A Prime subscription ($15 monthly, $139 yearly) also gets you free shipping, deals, Prime Day access, Amazon Music, 1 year GrubHub+, and more. Students and qualified government assistance recipients get discounts. Try Prime free for 30 days.
PROS: You likely have Prime already
CONS: Only Thursday games
NFL
NFL+ Stream Out-Of-Market Games on Mobile
A basic $6.99 monthly (or $40 yearly) NFL+ sub gets you live local and primetime regular/preseason games exclusively on your phone or tablet, live audio for every game across devices, and NFL Network access. NFL+ Premium is $14.99 monthly ($80 yearly) and adds NFL RedZone plus full/condensed game replays across devices. NFL+ offers a 7-day free trial.
PROS: Cost
CONS: Most live games phone-only
$6.99/month at NFL
Channel Master
Channel Master Flatenna Ultra-Thin Indoor TV Antenna
This paper-thin antenna design is meant for wall/window mounting using included sticky pads – not sitting atop your TV. Channel Master promises up to 35 mile range, though factors like placement affect this. For just $29, the Flatenna is an affordable way to start using an antenna – assuming you’re okay with a black or white rectangle on your wall or window.
PROS: Affordable Simple setup
CONS: Range limitations Unsightly cord
When Does Football Season Start?
This year’s NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 4, 2024 with a game hosted by reigning Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs. Right after Thursday’s opener, the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles make history with the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5 – a Peacock exclusive stream. The 2024-25 season also features international games in London and Munich.
Feeling that pigskin fever yet? With games spanning a constellation of channels and streamers, it’s easy to get turned around trying to follow your squad this season. But with this playbook, you’ll be ready to catch every epic 2024 NFL showdown from kickoff to the Super Bowl LIX finale. And that’s a touchdown for sports fans!
