The NFL has just released the 2026 regular season schedule, and many fans are excited about the upcoming games, with a lot of buzz surrounding the historic international slate and holiday matchups.
However, there is a significant and growing outrage over the high cost of watching the 2026 NFL season. The games for the upcoming season are spread across several platforms, including streaming services, and fans may pay as much as $1,000+ to watch all games.
Multiple streaming services required for the 2026 NFL season
For the 2026 season, NFL games will be available across more than 10 streaming platforms, including Netflix, ESPN+, Peacock, YouTube TV, NFL+, Prime Video, and many more.
Of course, a majority of the NFL games for the upcoming season will be available on broadcast channels (FOX, ESPN, NBC, ABC, and CBS). However, many of the games on the streaming services are exclusive.
As a result, NFL fans will need to subscribe to multiple streaming services if they wish to watch all games in the upcoming season. Multiple subscriptions translate to high streaming costs, which could go as far as $1,000+.
For example, to watch all the games that air on broadcast channels, you will need a live TV package like YouTube TV, which goes for around $498 for the season. You will also need the NFL Sunday Ticket to watch out-of-market games, which can cost between $400 and $480 per season.
In addition, you will need to subscribe to other streaming platforms with exclusive NFL games, such as Prime Video, Netflix, Peacock, and ESPN+. When you add up the costs, you end up with a streaming bill that is over $1,000, without counting taxes, regional sports network fees, and internet bills.
Fans angry about NFL streaming fragmentation
Many fans are angry about the high NFL streaming costs, with some terming the 2026 NFL streaming schedule a money grab.
The high streaming costs have even attracted the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump, who sharply criticized the league’s streaming deal:
“They’re making a lot of money. They could make a little bit less. … You have people that live for Sunday… and then all of a sudden, they’re gonna have to pay $1,000 a game [a season]. It’s crazy. So, I’m not happy about it.”
Besides the high costs, several fans are also frustrated about having to maintain different streaming platforms to enjoy all the games.
“I think it’s frustrating when you just want to watch a game, and you have to figure out what app it’s on,” stated one fan during a Fox News interview.
Unfortunately for NFL fans, streaming fragmentation is here to stay. The good news, though, is that fans can save money on streaming costs, using hacks like a digital antenna for free-to-air games, leveraging bundles and promotions, and rotating and cancelling streaming services.