Watch NFL Network for FREE (No Cable Required)
How to Watch NFL Network Without Cable: Your Complete 2026-27 Season Guide
TL;DR: NFL Network is showing 9 international games at 9:30 a.m. ET this season (Weeks 4-7 and Week 9). You don’t need cable to watch—there are 7+ streaming options, starting at just $6.99/month, and most offer free trials.
Why NFL Network Matters This Season
The 2026-27 NFL season is spreading games across more channels than ever:
| Day | Channel/Platform |
|---|---|
| Sunday | CBS, FOX, NBC (Sunday Night Football), Peacock |
| Monday | ESPN, ABC (Monday Night Football) |
| Thursday | Prime Video (Thursday Night Football) |
| Select Games | Netflix, NFL Network, NFL+, Paramount+, FOX One, NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL RedZone |
NFL Network’s special role: It’s the exclusive home for 9 international games airing at 9:30 a.m. ET from Week 4 through Week 7, plus Week 9.
All the Ways to Stream NFL Network (No Cable Required)
Here are every option available, from cheapest to most comprehensive:
1. NFL+ (Cheapest Standalone Option)
- Price: $6.99/month or $39.99/year
- Premium: $14.99/month or $79.99/year (includes NFL RedZone)
- Best for: Die-hard fans who only want NFL content
2. Sling TV Select (Best Budget Live TV)
- Price: $19.99/month
- Also available: Orange & Blue packages (various trial options: 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, or monthly prepay)
- Best for: Cord-cutters wanting basic live TV + NFL Network
3. Fubo TV Sports Plan (Best for Sports Fans)
- Price: $54.99/month (first month), then $64.99/month
- Also in: Pro ($63.99→$88.99) and Elite ($68.99→$98.99) plans
- Perk: Free trial for new subscribers
- Best for: Households wanting lots of sports channels
4. YouTube TV (Most Popular All-Around)
- Base Plan: $67.99/month (includes NFL Network)
- Sports Plan: $54.99/month (also includes NFL Network)
- Perk: Free trial available
- Best for: Families wanting unlimited DVR + great interface
5. Hulu + Live TV (Best for On-Demand + Live)
- Price: $89.99/month
- Perk: 3-day free trial
- Includes: Hulu’s entire streaming library + Disney+ & ESPN+ (with bundle)
- Best for: People who want live sports + huge on-demand library
6. DIRECTV MySports Genre Pack (New Sports-Focused Option)
- Price: $49.99/month (first month), then $64.99/month
- Includes: NFL Network + NFL RedZone + ESPN Unlimited
- Perk: 5-day free trial
- Also in: Premier Streaming TV package & Sports Pack Add-on
- Best for: Traditional satellite TV fans going streaming-only
7. ESPN Unlimited (Newest Addition!)
- How to get it: Requires active subscription to a participating pay-TV provider:
- DIRECTV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, U-Verse, or Cox
- Bonus Bundle: ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium = $39.99/month (or $45.99/month with Disney+ & Hulu)
- Includes NFL RedZone!
Quick Decision Guide: Which Should You Choose?
| If you want… | Go with… |
|---|---|
| Absolute cheapest NFL-only option | NFL+ ($6.99/mo) |
| Cheapest live TV with NFL Network | Sling TV Select ($19.99/mo) |
| Best sports coverage + free trial | Fubo TV Sports Plan |
| Best overall experience + unlimited DVR | YouTube TV |
| Live TV + huge on-demand library | Hulu + Live TV |
| Traditional cable feel + sports pack | DIRECTV MySports |
| Already have a pay-TV login | ESPN Unlimited (free add-on!) |
| Maximum NFL content (RedZone + all games) | ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium Bundle |
Important Things to Know
KEY POINT: "Free" usually means "free trial" — not free forever. Set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to pay!
CABLE LOGIN TRICK: If you do have a cable subscription (or borrow a family member’s), you can watch NFL Network live on the NFL App for free using those credentials.
INTERNATIONAL GAMES ALERT: Mark your calendar for Weeks 4-7 and Week 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET — these games are only on NFL Network.
BUNDLE MATH: The ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium bundle ($39.99/mo) is cheaper than most live TV services and gives you NFL Network + NFL RedZone + ESPN content.
Step-by-Step: How to Start Watching Today
Option A: No Commitment (Free Trials)
- Pick a service with a free trial (Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu, DIRECTV, Sling)
- Sign up with email & payment method (you won’t be charged until trial ends)
- Download the app on your TV, phone, tablet, or computer
- Find NFL Network in the channel guide
- Set a reminder to cancel before trial expires if not keeping it
Option B: Cheapest Long-Term (NFL+)
- Go to nfl.com/nflplus or use the NFL App
- Choose $6.99/month or $39.99/year (save 52%!)
- Create account & pay
- Watch immediately on any device
Option C: Already Have Pay-TV? (ESPN Unlimited)
- Check if your provider is on the participating list (DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu+Live, YouTube TV, Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon, FiOS, U-Verse, Cox)
- Download the ESPN App
- Log in with your pay-TV credentials
- NFL Network is now in your ESPN App!
Summary
NFL Network is easier to get than ever without cable. For the 2026-27 season, you have 7+ streaming paths:
- Start at $6.99/month (NFL+)
- Most offer free trials (test before you commit)
- New this year: NFL Network is inside the ESPN App if you have a qualifying pay-TV login
- Best value bundle: ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium = $39.99/mo for NFL Network + RedZone + ESPN + NFL+
Pro tip: If you only care about those 9 international morning games, grab a free trial during Weeks 4-7 and Week 9, then cancel. Total cost: $0.
FAQ
1. Can I watch NFL Network for actually free (no trial, no payment)?
No. There’s no permanent free tier. But you can chain free trials (Fubo → YouTube TV → Hulu → DIRECTV → Sling) to cover the whole season if you time it right. Or use a family member’s cable login on the NFL App.
2. Does NFL+ include live NFL Network, or just replays?
Live! NFL+ gives you a live stream of NFL Network 24/7, plus all preseason games, regular season audio, and on-demand replays.
3. I have YouTube TV Base Plan. Do I need the Sports Add-on for NFL Network?
Nope! NFL Network is included in the base $67.99/month plan. The Sports Plan ($54.99) also has it, but you don’t need both.
4. What’s the difference between ESPN Unlimited and ESPN+?
Totally different things.
- ESPN+ ($11.99/mo) = standalone streaming service (UFC, college sports, some MLB/NHL, original shows)
- ESPN Unlimited = free upgrade for pay-TV subscribers that adds NFL Network, more live ESPN channels, and on-demand content inside the ESPN App
5. Can I get NFL RedZone without NFL Network?
Usually not. They’re almost always sold together. The cheapest way to get both is the ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium bundle ($39.99/mo) or Fubo/YouTube TV/Hulu+Live/DIRECTV sports packages.
Enjoy the international games at 9:30 a.m. ET — and don’t forget the coffee!