Usually, you need an active NFL+ subscription or a pay-TV service like YouTube TV or Fubo TV to watch the NFL Network. However, most of these platforms don’t come cheap, with some, like traditional cable services, featuring hidden fees that can be pricey.
But did you know that you can watch the NFL Network for free? While you may not be able to watch everything offered on the platform for free, there are some tricks you can use to enjoy some of the content on the NFL Network without having to pay expensive subscription fees.
How to watch the NFL Network for free?
Below are all the ways you can watch the NFL Network for free:
1. Using free trials from pay-TV services
Free trials are one of the top ways you can watch the NFL Network for free. The sports network is available through several pay-TV services, some of which offer free trial periods that let you access all content without paying.
Some of the top platforms where you can watch the NFL Network with a free trial period include:
- YouTube TV: The NFL Network is included in its base plan at $82.99 per month. However, as a new subscriber, you can get a free trial offer that typically lasts 5, 7, 10, or 21 days, depending on the current promotion.
- Fubo TV: Another platform that offers the NFL Network on its base plan. However, you can watch the NFL Network for free with Fubo’s free trial, which usually lasts 5-7 days.
- Hulu + Live TV: The NFL Network is included in the base plan, which costs $89.99 per month. However, you can watch it for free with Hulu’s 3-day free trial, available to new and some returning subscribers.
- DirecTV Stream: The NFL Network is available on DirecTV Stream’s higher-tier packages, starting at $84.99 per month. However, you can watch the network for free with DirecTV Stream’s 5-day free trial.
2. Using offers on the NFL+
The NFL+ is another platform where you can watch the NFL Network and tons of other NFL content for free.
Usually, you will need an active subscription to access NFL+.
However, you can watch content for free on the platform through various offers, including a free trial.
As of the 2025 NFL season, NFL+ does not offer a free trial, but it has in the past. Therefore, you should keep an eye on the platform for free trial offers.
Besides free trial offers, you can also access the NFL+ and, consequently, the NFL Network for free through promotions from partner organizations.
For example, the betting company DraftKings offers a promotion where new subscribers can get NFL+ Premium for free by creating an account and placing a qualifying bet.
3. Free content from the NFL app and NFL channel
You can also watch content on the NFL Network for free via the NFL app or the NFL channel.
With the NFL app, you usually need an active NFL+ subscription to access the NFL Network live stream and other live NFL games. However, you can access the app for free without an NFL+ subscription, though the content available is limited (news, highlights, and analysis).
The NFL channel, on the other hand, is a free, ad-supported channel that offers a wide variety of NFL content. This includes NFL game replays, original NFL shows, NFL Network shows, NFL films, news, highlights, and more.
You can access the NFL Channel on various streaming platforms, including Tubi, Plex, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Xumo, Pluto TV, LG Channels, TCltv+, Peacock, and on the NFL website.
How to watch all of the NFL Network content ?
Unfortunately, the above tricks for watching the NFL Network for free offer either temporary or limited access. Therefore, if you want full access, you will need to subscribe to a service that carries the sports network.
Two options exist for watching the NFL Network:
- Subscription via NFL+
- Subscription through a pay-TV service.
A subscription to NFL+ gives you access to the NFL Network, plus other perks such as live NFL games, live NFL game audio, NFL Films, fantasy football, and the option to unlock full match replays and NFL RedZone with a premium subscription.
The subscription fee for NFL+ is $6.99 per month for the base plan and $14.99 per month for the premium plan.
In addition to NFL+, you can also get the NFL Network through various pay-TV services (cable, satellite, and streaming). Some of the top providers you can consider include YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, Spectrum TV, DIRECTV, DISH Network, and Xfinity.
Prices for these pay-TV services will vary by provider. However, most services that offer live TV packages are not cheap, so they are all likely to be significantly more expensive than NFL+.