What Channel is the NFL Game on Tonight?

NFL Games Broadcast Overview (2025 Edition)

Gone are the days of simply turning to one of the big three networks. The modern NFL broadcasting landscape is a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem split between traditional broadcast networks and deep-pocketed streaming services. Knowing the key players is the first step to always finding the right channel. The league has masterfully divided its inventory to maximize viewership and revenue, meaning the answer to "What channel is the NFL game on tonight?" depends heavily on the day of the week and the specific matchup.

The primary rights holders for the 2025 NFL season include:

• CBS: Traditionally, the home of the American Football Conference (AFC) teams for Sunday afternoon games.
• FOX: The primary broadcaster for National Football Conference (NFC) teams during the Sunday afternoon slots.
• NBC: The long-standing home of Sunday Night Football, the league's flagship weekly broadcast.
• ESPN/ABC: The Disney-owned networks hold the rights to Monday Night Football, with some games simulcast on ABC.
• Amazon Prime Video: The exclusive home for the full slate of Thursday Night Football games.
• NFL Network: The league's own channel carries a limited schedule of games, including some Thursday nights, Saturday games late in the season, and international contests.

This diverse arrangement means your channel guide for the NFL schedule 2025 will require a quick mental checklist based on the night of the week.

NFL Games by Day of the Week

The day of the week is the single biggest factor in determining where to find your game. The NFL has carved out specific nights for specific broadcast partners, creating a weekly rhythm for fans. Let's break down the NFL game time tonight by category.

Thursday Night Football – Channel & Streaming

Thursday nights in the fall are synonymous with NFL action. For the 2025 season, the answer to "What channel is Thursday Night Football on?" is straightforward: it's exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon secured the full package of TNF games, moving away from the previous model where games were simulcast on NFL Network.

This means you will need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch these games on your TV, computer, or mobile device. The production quality is top-tier, and Amazon offers unique features like alternate broadcasts and next-level statistics. Kickoff for Thursday night games is almost always at 8:20 PM Eastern Time.

Sunday NFL Games – Early & Afternoon Slots

Sundays are for football. The action typically begins with the "early" slot at 1:00 PM ET, followed by the "afternoon" or "late" slot at 4:05 PM or 4:25 PM ET. The channel for these games depends entirely on which conference the home team belongs to.

• CBS: Broadcasts most games where the AFC team is the home team.
• FOX: Broadcasts most games where the NFC team is the home team.

However, there are exceptions, especially during doubleheader weeks, when one network gets two games. Your local affiliate will determine which specific game you see based on your geographic region and the NFL's strict broadcasting rules. This is why a game shown in New York might not be the same game shown in Los Angeles.

Sunday Night Football – Channel Tonight

As the weekend draws to a close, the NFL showcases its best matchup of the week in the premier prime-time slot. Sunday Night Football on NBC is a weekly event and consistently one of the highest-rated television shows. The answer to "What channel is Sunday Night Football on?" is simple: it's always on NBC.

Hosted by the beloved Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth in the booth, SNF features a full production with extensive pre-game and post-game coverage. The game kicks off at 8:20 PM ET. You can watch it on your local NBC affiliate through a traditional cable subscription, a digital antenna, or a live TV streaming service that includes NBC.

Monday Night Football – Channel Tonight

Since 2006, Monday Night Football has found its home on ESPN. This tradition continues in the 2025 season. So, for most weeks, the answer to "What channel is Monday Night Football on?" is ESPN. However, Disney has increasingly begun to simulcast select MNF games on ABC, its broadcast network sister, to reach a wider audience.

This means for some special matchups or weeks, you might be able to find the game on ABC without a cable subscription (using a digital antenna). The standard kickoff time for Monday Night Football is 8:15 PM ET. The ESPN broadcast features Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, providing a familiar and expert commentary team for the nightcap.

How to Find What Channel the NFL Game is On Tonight

Even with the guide above, you might need a quick, reliable way to find the exact channel for your location. Here are the best methods to get a definitive answer to "NFL game channel tonight."

• NFL Official Website and App: The most authoritative source. The NFL's digital properties have an accurate, location-aware schedule that will tell you the channel and streaming availability for every game.
• TV Guide Listings: Your cable or satellite provider's on-screen guide is a straightforward way to see what's on and when.
• Network Websites: The websites for CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN all have "find your local affiliate" tools. Enter your zip code to get your local channel number.
• Google Search: Simply searching "NFL schedule" or "NFL games today" will often bring up a featured snippet with the day's games, times, and channels tailored to your area.
• Sports Media News Websites: Outlets like ESPN, CBS Sports, and The Athletic publish weekly viewing guides detailing every game and its broadcast channel.

NFL Game Streaming Options (Cord Cutters Guide)

You don't need a traditional cable or satellite subscription to watch an NFL game live tonight. Cord-cutters have a plethora of excellent options that carry the major broadcast and cable networks. Here’s a breakdown of the best streaming services for NFL fans in 2025:

• YouTube TV: Carries CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network in most markets. Its unlimited cloud DVR is perfect for recording every game.
• Hulu + Live TV: Includes all the major local networks (in most areas) and ESPN. A great bundle option if you already use Hulu for on-demand content.
• FuboTV: Started as a soccer-centric service but has become a top-tier option for sports fans. It boasts a strong lineup of local channels and the NFL Network.
• Sling TV: A more budget-friendly option. Sling Blue includes NBC and FOX (in select markets), while Sling Orange includes ESPN. You might need an antenna for CBS.
• Amazon Prime Video: Required for Thursday Night Football. It's the exclusive home for the entire TNF slate.
• NFL+: The league's own service is perfect for mobile viewing. It lets you watch live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet.
• DirecTV Stream: Carries all the local channels and ESPN, though it's typically one of the more expensive streaming options.

Most of these services offer free trials, which you can strategically use during the playoffs or for a particularly big regular-season game.

NFL Schedule 2025 – Key Matchups to Watch

While the weekly channel is important, the real excitement comes from the games themselves. The 2025 NFL schedule is packed with can't-miss matchups. While the full schedule is released in the spring, we can anticipate the biggest draws based on rising teams and perennial contenders. Keep an eye on the schedule for these potential blockbusters that will dominate the prime-time slots:

• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens: A modern AFC rivalry featuring Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: A recurring NFC grudge match with deep playoff implications.
• Dallas Cowboys vs. Anyone: "America's Team" always draws huge ratings, especially on Sunday or Monday night.
• Interconference Showdowns: Games like Bills vs. 49ers or Bengals vs. Cowboys are rare and highly anticipated.
• Thanksgiving Day Games: A tradition unto itself, featuring the Lions, Cowboys, and a prime-time third game.

These games are almost guaranteed to be featured on Sunday Night Football on NBC, Monday Night Football on ESPN, or as the highlight of the Thursday Night Football schedule on Amazon.

Regional Broadcasts & Blackout Rules

Understanding regional broadcasts is crucial for finding your game. The NFL has rules to protect local broadcasters. On Sundays, your local CBS and FOX affiliates will prioritize showing the game that is most relevant to your market. If you live in New England, your local FOX station will show the Patriots game if they are playing an NFC opponent at home.

As for blackout rules, the traditional policy of blacking out local games that aren't sold out 72 hours in advance has been suspended since 2015 and is unlikely to return. This is great news for fans, as it means all locally televised games will be available on your local broadcast channels regardless of ticket sales.

Tips for Never Missing an NFL Game

Here’s a quick-hit list to ensure you always know where to watch:

• Bookmark the NFL Schedule Page: This is your single source of truth.
• Use a Streaming Service with Local Channels: Services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV ensure you get your local CBS and FOX feeds.
• Get a Digital Antenna: A cheap, one-time purchase that gives you free HD access to CBS, NBC, FOX, and ABC for all locally broadcast games.
• Set Calendar Reminders: Add games to your digital calendar and include the channel in the event title.
• Follow Your Team on Social Media: Teams almost always tweet out the channel information and kickoff time on game day.

Conclusion – Your Game Day Cheat Sheet

Finding the answer to "what channel is the NFL game on tonight?" doesn't have to be a scramble. The modern viewing landscape offers more options than ever before. Remember this quick guide: Thursday is on Amazon Prime, Sunday is on CBS and FOX, Sunday night is on NBC, and Monday is on ESPN. For everything else, leverage the NFL app, a reliable streaming service, and a good old-fashioned digital antenna. With this knowledge, you can spend less time searching for the game and more time enjoying the touchdowns, tackles, and triumphs of the 2025 NFL season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Meta Description: Find what channel the NFL game is on tonight! Our 2025 guide covers Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football channels, and the best streaming options to watch live.