Why Sling TV's new football Season Pass is our favorite way to watch the NFL in 2024
The 2024-5 NFL season has begun with preseason football already underway. While teams and players ready themselves for the official start of the regular NFL season, fans can gear up to watch all the terrific football ahead this season thanks to Sling TV. The live TV streamer is offering massive savings on subscriptions via the Sling TV Season Pass when you prepay for four months of service.
The discounted Sling TV Season Pass is comprised of the streamer's Orange + Blue tier and the Sports Extra plan which includes 18 additional sports-centric channels. Because Sling TV carries the live feed of most local network affiliates, you'll be able to watch "Sunday Night Football" on NBC, Sunday football on Fox, and "Monday Night Football" on ESPN and ABC, all without paying hefty cable subscription pricing. The package also includes popular cable channels such as TNT, TBS, Bravo and CNN, as well as specialized sports channels like Golf Channel, MLB Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network and more.
To take advantage of this killer discount and watch the NFL this season, get the Sling TV Season Pass by prepaying for four months of the Orange + Blue tier plus Sports Extra plan. You'll pay $219 in total, reduced from $300.
Note: Because Sling TV does not carry CBS, Sling TV subscribers will want to get the Paramount+ add-on to watch CBS-aired Sunday football games.
CBS Essentials and Paramount+ are both subsidiaries of Paramount Global.
2024-5 NFL season: Key dates, streaming-exclusive games
Now that you're set to watch NFL football this season with the Sling TV Season Pass, you'll want to know when and how to watch every game of the NFL season.
2024-5 NFL season: Key dates
The 2024-5 NFL preseason began on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, when the Chicago Bears faced the Houston Texans Hall of Fame game. The 2024-5 NFL regular season begins on Sept. 5, 2024, when the Super Bowl LVIII champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens.
- Aug. 1: NFL Hall of Fame game (Bears vs. Texans)
- Aug. 8-11: First preseason weekend
- Aug. 15-18: Second preseason weekend
- Aug. 22- 25: Third preseason weekend
- Aug. 27: Deadline for all teams to reduce roster to 53 players
- Sept. 1: Final day of preseason training camp
- Sept. 5: NFL regular season begins (Ravens vs. Chiefs)
- Sept. 6: NFL Friday game from São Paulo, Brazil (Packers vs. Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET on Peacock)
- Oct. 6: NFL International Game from London, United Kingdom (Jets vs. Vikings, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
- Oct. 13: NFL International Game from London, United Kingdom (Jaguars vs. Bears, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
- Oct. 20: NFL International Game from London, United Kingdom (Patriots vs. Jaguars, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
- Nov. 5: NFL trade deadline
- Nov. 29: Black Friday Game: (Raiders vs. Chiefs, 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
- Dec. 25: Netflix-exclusive Christmas Day games: (Chiefs vs. Steelers, 1 p.m. ET), ( Ravens vs. Texans 4:30 p.m. ET)
- Jan. 11-13: Super Wild Card Weekend
- Jan. 18-19: Divisional Playoff Games
- Jan. 26: AFC & NFC Championship Games
- Feb. 2: Pro Bowl Games
- Feb. 9: Super Bowl LIX (Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA)
Which streaming platforms do I need to watch the 2024-5 NFL season?
The 2024-5 NFL season features more streaming-exclusive games than ever before. The NFL schedule includes two Christmas Day games, one Friday game, one Black Friday game and three Thanksgiving Day games, some of which won't air on network TV-- which means fans will need to add certain streaming platform subscriptions to their viewing roster to supplement the NFL games on the Sling TV Season Pass.
Because the NFL is moving its schedule to include more and more streaming-exclusive games each season, we love saving on Sling TV Season Pass to access network-aired NFL games, which leaves our budget open to subscribe to the other streamers needed to watch those streaming-exclusive NFL games this season.
In addition to the Sling TV Season Pass, NFL fans will want to subscribe to Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, Netflix and ESPN+.
2024-5 NFL season: Streaming-exclusive games
The 2024-5 NFL season schedule will feature more streaming-exclusive games than ever before.
- Amazon Prime Video: Thursday Night Football games, Weeks 1-17, the Black Friday Game, Nov. 29. and one Wild Card game.
- Netflix: Dec. 25, 2024, two Christmas Games (Week 17)
- Peacock will air (exclusively) the Week 1 Packers vs. Eagles game live from Brazil, and stream all games airing on NBC (SNF) throughout the season.
- ESPN+ will carry 25 NFL games this season, including one ESPN+ exclusive game (Chargers vs. Cardinals, Oct. 21 at 9 p.m. ET)
How to watch streaming-exclusive NFL games this season
This season, more NFL games than ever will be broadcast exclusively on streaming platforms, including Netflix, Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. If you have a cable subscription that includes CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN and Fox, you'll need to add those streaming platforms to access every NFL game of the season.
If you don't have a cable subscription but want to be able to watch every NFL game of the 2024-5 season, you'll need a Peacock subscription, a Netflix subscription, a Prime Video subscription, a subscription to ESPN+ and a subscription to one live TV streaming platform like Sling TV, FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV. Sling subscribers will also need a Paramount+ subscription, or a Paramount+ add-on to their Prime Video subscription, to access CBS-aired NFL games this season.
Watch 'Thursday Night Football' only on Amazon Prime Video
Starting in 2022, Amazon became the exclusive carrier of Thursday Night Football (TNF). This season, Prime will host "Thursday Night Football" in Weeks 1-17, plus the Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs Black Friday Game on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). Prime Video will also exclusively air at least one Wild Card game this season.
Amazon Prime is $14.99 per month after a generous 30-day free trial. In addition to NFL football, Prime members will get two-day shipping, member-exclusive Prime Day deals, discounts at Whole Foods Markets and Amazon Fresh stores, plus more benefits.
Watch the Week 1 Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs game in São Paulo, Brazil exclusively on Peacock
A (sure to be) epic rematch of last season's Dolphins vs. Chiefs Wild Card game, the two teams square off again, this time in Week 1 from São Paulo, Brazil. The game will broadcast only on Peacock, which is also host to the Premier League, Big Ten football and basketball games, golf and more.
Peacock subscribers can also access Peacock originals like "Love Island" and the Annette Bening thriller "Apples Never Fall," plus live NBC-aired content, with a Peacock Premium Plus subscription -- and Peacock's library of on-demand content including "The Office."
A Peacock subscription costs $8 per month. An annual plan is available for $80 per year (best value). You can cancel anytime.
Oct. 21: Watch the Chargers vs. Cardinals game only on ESPN+
ESPN+ will play host to 25 NFL games this season, including one ESPN+- exclusive game on October 21, 2024 when the Arizona Cardinals host the Los Angeles Chargers.
ESPN+ is ESPN's subscription streaming platform, which offers coverage of some of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's WNBA games, original studio shows and top-tier series that aren't accessible on the ESPN networks. ESPN+ subscribers may purchase UFC PPV events and access the platform's vast archive of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 catalog, game replays and select ESPN films.
ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 series and more. Here's a sampling of what's available on ESPN+:
- Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world's most respected voices in sports.
- Select WNBA games, including Caitlin Clark's WNBA regular season debut.
- Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge).
- Soccer including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga.
- College sports including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference.
- MLB and the World Series.
- Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
- The PGA Tour and the Masters.
It is important to note that ESPN+ does not include access to the ESPN network. It is a separate sports-centric service, with separate sports programming.
An ESPN+ subscription costs $11 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110).
Other ways to watch the 2024-5 NFL season without cable
We're big fans of the Sling TV Season Pass, but we're also fans of comparison shopping to make sure we're choosing the best streaming platform for our family -- and getting the best price possible. If you want to watch the NFL without cable, you can watch with the Sling TV Season Pass, or with a subscription to FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV. Keep reading for more details on both. You can also stream all CBS-aired NFL games with a subscription to Paramount+.
Paramount+: Watch CBS-aired NFL games without cable
If you want to spend your Sunday watching football but don't have a cable subscription, consider a subscription to Paramount+. Paramount+ give viewers access to all CBS original content and features its own original programming. A sports-lover's dream, the streamer has NFL football games airing on CBS, NCAA college football and more.
What you can stream with Paramount+:
- All NFL games airing on CBS locally, plus nationally televised on all its subscription tiers
- On-demand CBS programming including hit shows like "Survivor" and "NCIS"
- Paramount+ original programming like "Lawmen Bass Reaves" and "Tulsa King"
- Professional soccer, including Champions League live
- SEC college football games
Get Paramount+ Essential for $5.99/month to watch the NFL on CBS live. To watch CBS--aired programming, subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime for $11.99/month after seven-day free trial.
Note: CBS Essentials and Paramount+ are both subsidiaries of Paramount.
Add Paramount+ as part of Walmart+ and watch the NFL on CBS
The Walmart+ shopping subscription service includes access to the Paramount+ Essentials tier (with live NFL games airing on CBS), a $60 per year value. Walmart+ subscribers also get discounts on gasoline at Mobil and Exxon stations, access to special members-only deals (including Walmart's holiday deals), same-day home delivery from your local store and more. Walmart+ costs $98 per year. Tap the button below to learn all the benefits of Walmart+, and to start your 30-day free trial.
Add Paramount+ to your Amazon Prime Video subscription
You can also add Paramount+ to your Prime Video subscription to access CBS-aired NFL games, plus Paramount+ originals. Add Paramount+ to your Prime Video subscription for $5.99 per month, or level up to Paramount+ with Showtime to get access to CBS-aired college football and more for $11.99 per month. Both pricing tiers come with a seven-day free trial.
Watch every network-aired NFL game with FuboTV
You can watch every NFL game airing on network TV on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to almost every NFL game of the season. Packages include CBS, Fox Sunday NFC games via "NFL on Fox", NBC (Sunday Night Football), ESPN (Monday Night Football), NFL Network and more, so you'll be able to watch more than just today's games, all without a cable subscription.
To watch the NFL without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games.
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
- There are no contracts with FuboTV -- you can cancel at any time.
- The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network. (You'll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
- FuboTV includes all the channels you'll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
- All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
- Stream on your TV, phone, and other devices.
Watch every network-aired NFL game on Hulu + Live TV
You can watch the NFL, including the NFL Network, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including both Fox and FS1. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
Watch NFL football live with a digital HDTV antenna
You can also watch NFL football on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here's the kicker: There's no monthly charge.
Anyone living in partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal -- or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch sports without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This ultra-thin, multi-directional Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro digital antenna with a 65-mile range can receive hundreds of HD TV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox, and Univision, and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV and top-tier sound. It comes with a 12-foot digital coax cable.
Watch every NFL game on your phone with NFL+
If you want to catch the NFL on your phone check out NFL+. The premium streaming service, starting at $40 per year (or $7 per month), offers access to NFL Network. And yes, that includes games being broadcast out-of-market. To boost your NFL experience even further, you can upgrade to NFL+ Premium with NFL RedZone and watch up to eight NFL games simultaneously.
Top features of NFL+:
- You get access to all NFL preseason games, including those that are out of market.
- NFL+ lets you watch stream local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet, but not your TV.
- Includes the NFL Network (and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium), so it's a good option for those who are looking to stream football on the go.
Waiting for the game to start? Check out Amazon's new football fan shop
If you're waiting for today's game to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon's NFL Fan Shop. The Amazon NFL Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You'll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great gear for the NFL fan in your life. There are plenty of great deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching sports.
Tap the button below to head directly to the NFL Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.
When and where is Super Bowl LIX?
Super Bowl LIX is scheduled to be played on Feb. 9, 2025 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA, the home of the New Orleans Saints. Super Bowl LIX will air on Fox, and stream on Fubo, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.
Who won Super Bowl LVIII?
Pat Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime.
