You're an avid fan, but your favorite NFL team is on the other side of the country. Come Sunday, your local channels are showing a different matchup, and you're left scrambling to find a way to watch your team. This is the frustrating reality of being an out-of-market fan, caused by the league's complex broadcasting rights deals.
Thankfully, you no longer have to miss out. While you can't just tune in to your local CBS or Fox affiliate, several official streaming options are designed specifically to solve this problem.
Understanding Why Games Are 'Out-of-Market'
The NFL's television contracts give specific networks the rights to broadcast games in designated regions. If you live in Dallas, your local channels will prioritize showing the Cowboys game. If the Green Bay Packers are playing at the same time on the same network, that game is considered 'out-of-market' for you and won't be aired locally. This system is designed to maximize local viewership for each market's home team.
The Main Solution: NFL Sunday Ticket
For decades, the primary way to watch every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game has been NFL Sunday Ticket. This premium subscription package gives you access to every regular season game that isn't being broadcast nationally (like Sunday Night Football) or on your local channels.
Historically, this service was exclusive to a satellite provider, but it has since moved to a streaming platform. Currently, NFL Sunday Ticket is available as an add-on through YouTube TV. This makes it more accessible than ever, as you only need an internet connection rather than a satellite dish. It's the most comprehensive—and often the most expensive—option for out-of-market fans.
A Mobile-Focused Option: NFL+
The NFL's own streaming service, called NFL+, offers another way to watch games, but with some important limitations. The base tier of NFL+ allows you to watch live local and primetime games, but only on a phone or tablet. It does not include out-of-market games.
However, the higher tier, NFL+ Premium, includes full and condensed game replays after they air. This means you can't watch your out-of-market team live, but you can watch the entire game without commercials shortly after it concludes. It's a much more affordable option if you don't mind avoiding spoilers and watching on delay.
A Note on International Services and VPNs
In many countries outside the United States, the NFL offers a service called NFL Game Pass International. This service often streams every single game live, including out-of-market games, without the same restrictions as in the U.S. Some U.S.-based fans use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to make it appear as if they are in another country to subscribe to this service.
It is important to note that using a VPN to circumvent geographic restrictions typically violates the streaming service's terms of service. Providers actively work to block VPN traffic, so it is not a guaranteed or officially supported method. You should research the terms and legality in your region before considering this route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NFL Sunday Ticket include playoff games?
No, NFL Sunday Ticket is for regular season, Sunday afternoon games only. Playoff games, the Super Bowl, and primetime games like Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football are broadcast nationally and are not part of the package.
Can I buy just one team's games?
Currently, the NFL does not offer a package to follow a single out-of-market team. You must purchase the full NFL Sunday Ticket package to get access to all the out-of-market games.
Is there a way to watch for free?
There are no legal ways to stream out-of-market NFL games for free. Any website or service claiming to offer free live streams is unauthorized and likely carries security risks.
Key Takeaways
- Out-of-market NFL games are not shown on local channels due to broadcasting rights.
- NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary service for watching live out-of-market games, available through platforms like YouTube TV.
- NFL+ Premium allows you to watch full replays of every game after they air, but not live.
- Using a VPN with an international streaming service may violate terms of service and is not a guaranteed workaround.
- Playoff games and primetime games are broadcast nationally and are not considered out-of-market.
Related Reading
- How to Set Up Your Tablet as the Ultimate Second Screen for Sports
- Beyond the Big Leagues: How to Find Niche Sports on Streaming Services
- How to Use a VPN for Travel and Gaming Abroad