Lead: The Week One, streaming‑exclusive NFL game on Friday will be available live and free on YouTube, letting fans watch the season opener without cable; the league says the move is part of a broader push to reach international and younger viewers.
Key Takeaways
- The Friday Week One game is a streaming exclusive on YouTube and will be available free to viewers.
- The NFL is expanding streaming exclusives this season, including Amazon, ESPN+, Netflix and Peacock windows.
- NFL App, NFL+ and YouTube’s Sunday Ticket remain subscription options for other live or out‑of‑market games.
- NFL+ pricing: $50 per season for basic access, $100 for the premium tier with replays.
- Sunday Ticket pricing varies: returning users can pay $480 for the season or $83/month bundled with YouTube TV; new standalone subscriptions start at $276.
- The league opened the season in Brazil for the second consecutive year as part of international growth efforts; Brazil is cited as a market of more than 38 million fans.
Verified Facts
The Friday, Week One game will stream exclusively on YouTube and is being presented free to viewers without a traditional cable subscription. Fans can access the game through YouTube’s website or apps on mobile devices, smart TVs and streaming boxes.
Beyond Friday’s opener, the NFL has several streaming exclusives scheduled: Amazon will again host most Thursday Night Football games (with Thanksgiving an exception and a Black Friday exclusive from Amazon); ESPN+ will exclusively carry the Oct. 20 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans; Netflix and Amazon each have Christmas Day exclusives; and Peacock will have a streaming exclusive on Dec. 27.
The NFL offers multiple official viewing products: the NFL App streams locally broadcasted Sunday games in market; NFL+ provides live local and out‑of‑market games (basic $50 per season, premium $100 for replays); and YouTube maintains the NFL Sunday Ticket package for out‑of‑market access, with pricing tiers that include $83 per month when bundled with YouTube TV or seasonal rates ($480 returning users; $276 for new standalone subscribers).
Context & Impact
The league is shifting more marquee matchups to streaming partners to meet viewing habits of younger audiences who favor apps over linear television and to capture higher rights‑fee revenues from tech platforms. Moving the opener and other games to streaming-only windows also helps the NFL expand its international footprint.
Brazil hosted the season opener for the second straight year as the NFL pursues growth outside the United States. The league says Brazil represents more than 38 million fans, and international games have become regular fixtures since the first overseas match in Mexico City in 2005; other recent hosts include London and Munich.
For viewers, the result is more options but also more fragmentation. Some key games will be free on platforms like YouTube, while others will require subscriptions to Amazon Prime, ESPN+, Peacock, NFL+ or YouTube TV/Sunday Ticket.
Practical tips
- If you only want to watch Friday’s opener: open YouTube or the YouTube app and search for the official NFL stream shortly before kickoff.
- If you follow out‑of‑market Sunday games regularly, compare NFL+ and Sunday Ticket costs and features before subscribing.
- Check local listings in your market for any regional blackouts or carriage notes that might affect availability.
“The league aims to reach a broader, younger audience and grow internationally by placing select games on streaming platforms,”
NFL statement
Unconfirmed
- Whether the free YouTube stream will be available without geographic restrictions outside the U.S. (international availability varies by rights deals).
- Exact blackout or regional rights rules for every local market ahead of kickoff; viewers should verify local listings.
Bottom Line
Friday’s Week One streaming‑exclusive game provides a free, cable‑free way to watch the NFL season open via YouTube, while the broader season sees multiple streaming exclusives across Amazon, ESPN+, Netflix and Peacock. Fans should review service features and prices—especially NFL+, Sunday Ticket and regional broadcast rules—to pick the option that fits their viewing habits.