NFL live streams: How to watch 2023 football games for free without cable

Dan Treacy

NFL live streams: How to watch 2023 football games for free without cable image

As the NFL grows and the era of cord-cutting continues to expand, there are an increasing number of ways to watch football. The 2023 season will be no different, with numerous live streaming options for fans who want to catch the action without a cable subscription.

Trying to figure out where to watch NFL games can get hectic. Most are still on CBS or Fox, but others, such as "Thursday Night Football," have exclusive homes. That can make streaming certain games more difficult than others.

The 2022 season saw the introduction of Amazon Prime Video as the first streaming service to exclusively broadcast a weekly game. Changes to this year's lineup aren't as significant, but there are still some updates to be aware of as the season gets underway.

MORE: Watch NFL games live with Fubo (free trial)

Here's a guide to live streaming NFL games in 2023, including a look at what popular streaming services have to offer.

NFL live streams

  • Live streams for Sunday NFL games

Below is a guide to live streaming options that allow you to watch NFL games shown in your local market on Sunday. 

For these games, live streaming options are more straightforward. Games that air on Fox will be available on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app, while games that air on CBS will be available to stream on Paramount+.

Fans can also stream local regular season games on their phone or tablet using NFL+, the league's exclusive streaming service. NFL+ added an ad-free edition of NFL RedZone to its premium subscription this season, while raising the price.

Sling TV offers Fox in select markets but does not offer CBS.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
FoxSports.com/Fox Sports App Yes Yes
Paramount Plus No No $5.99/month Yes
NFL+ (mobile only) No No $6.99/month Yes
NFL+ Premium No No $14.99/month Yes
Fubo No No $74.99/month Yes
DIRECTV STREAM No No $74.99/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $69.99/month Yes
Sling TV (Fox games only, in select markets) No No $40/month No
YouTube TV No No $72.99/month Yes
  • 'Thursday Night Football' live streams

The 2023 NFL season marks the second in which Amazon Prime holds exclusive rights to "Thursday Night Football." While the NFL's kickoff game between the Chiefs and Lions is not an Amazon Prime game, the streaming service is the home to "Thursday Night Football" for the vast majority of Thursday night games the rest of the way.

Games will be televised free in the local markets of the teams that are playing. Out-of-market viewers will need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch "Thursday Night Football."

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Amazon Prime Video No No $14.99/month Yes
  • 'Sunday Night Football' live streams

NBC is again the home of "Sunday Night Football," and NBC-owned streaming service Peacock will offer a live-streaming option for each game.

Below are the other ways that viewers can stream "Sunday Night Football" in 2023. With NFL+, the league's new exclusive streaming service, fans can stream primetime games on their mobile phone or tablet.

Sling TV only offers NBC in select markets.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
Peacock  No No $5.99/month No
NFL+ (mobile only) No No $6.99/month Yes
NFL+ Premium No No $14.99/month Yes
Fubo No No $74.99/month Yes
DIRECTV STREAM No No $74.99/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $69.99/month Yes
Sling TV (select markets) No No $40/month No
YouTube TV No No $72.99/month Yes
  • 'Monday Night Football' live streams

ESPN will broadcast "Monday Night Football" for another season in 2023, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman back in the booth for a second year. Viewers will be able to stream "Monday Night Football" on ESPN's website and app in addition to the streaming services below.

With NFL+, the league's new exclusive streaming service, fans can stream primetime games on their mobile phone or tablet.

Streaming option Cable subscription needed? Free? Cost Free trial?
ESPN.com/ESPN App Yes Yes
NFL+ (mobile only) No No $6.99/month Yes
NFL+ Premium No No $14.99/month Yes
Fubo No No $74.99/month Yes
DIRECTV STREAM No No $74.99/month Yes
Hulu Plus Live TV No No $69.99/month Yes
Sling TV No No $40/month Yes
YouTube TV No No $72.99/month Yes

Can I watch NFL games on YouTube TV?

Yes. YouTube TV includes Fox, CBS, NBC and ESPN, meaning most prime-time and all local market games will be available for streamers to view.

YouTube TV is also the new home of NFL Sunday Ticket, but subscribers still much purchase the package separately to use it.

Can I watch NFL games on Hulu?

Yes. Hulu includes Fox, CBS, NBC and ESPN, so streamers will be able to view local-market and most primetime games with Hulu. 

Can I watch NFL games on Sling TV?

Yes, but not all games. Sling TV offers two separate packages — Orange and Blue — and while the streaming service has ESPN, it only offers Fox and NBC in select markets.

Sling TV does not have CBS as part of either package, so games that air on CBS can not be streamed using the service.

Can I watch NFL games on Fubo?

Yes. Fubo includes Fox, CBS, NBC and ESPN, giving streamers the ability to watch all local-market and almost all nationally televised games.

Fubo also offers new users a free trial.

How to live stream NFL games in Canada

All NFL games can be streamed live in Canada using DAZN. The streaming service is accessible on all smart TVs, mobile devices, computers and game consoles.

In Canada, DAZN comes with access to NFL RedZone and NFL Game Pass. That means viewers will be able to stream seven hours of commercial-free football live on Sundays and also will be able to watch replays with Game Pass.

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.