The 2026 NFL season features 10 different streaming platforms that fans need to access, but how much does it all cost to watch football?
The evolving world of sports media is constantly changing, but one constant is streaming. However, the downside for sports fans is that the cost of watching games continues to rise despite growing access.
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Heading into the new NFL season, football viewers will require streaming or cable packages, Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock and other networks in order to watch every game. YouTube TV’s popularity is certainly increasing given its access to NFL Sunday Ticket, but the package comes at a cost.
NFL fans need 10 different streaming subscriptions to watch every football game next season.
Total cost to watch every game: nearly $1,000.
In the 1990s, you needed basic cable and a TV. A few broadcast networks and ESPN covered the entire sport. That was it. The whole thing,… https://t.co/DMH8tk1gWE
— Alex Groberman (@alexgroberman) April 4, 2026
New customers using YouTube TV can expect to pay over $250 for the entire season of NFL Sunday Ticket games. However, recurring users might pay as much as $480 depending on how long their subscription is active.
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Regardless, it’s clear that football and other sports fans are growing tired of the streaming trend. The overall idea makes it easier for viewers to watch games, but growing costs are certainly a concern.
The NFL’s increased effort to put exclusive games on streaming platforms like Netflix, Peacock and Prime Video also makes it difficult for fans of certain teams.
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2026 NFL season streaming costs
The NFL isn’t unique when it comes to pushing its streaming plans on fans though. Other sports leagues are forcing their fans into similar dilemmas, but given how big the NFL is the league knows its supporters will continue to watch.
Last season, the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl 60 averaged over 125 million viewers on NBC. Meanwhile, overall NFL viewership reportedly increased by 10 percent during the 2025 season.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the NFL’s Super Bowl 60 parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Below are all the streaming subscriptions fans need to access every NFL game in 2026.
Netflix – $9 per month
Prime Video – $15 per month
NFL Network – Requires cable or streaming subscription
Peacock/NBC – $8 per month
FOX – Requires cable or streaming subscription
CBS – Requires cable or streaming subscription
ESPN+ -$12 per month
Paramount+ – $9 per month
YouTube TV – $82 per month
NFL Sunday Ticket – $480 per season
In totality, fans can expect to pay upwards of $1,000 ahead of the 2026 NFL season. Out-of-market games require subscriptions to NFL Sunday Ticket in order to watch NFL teams outside of geographic zones.