How to watch Monday Night Football for free

There's nothing like the thrill of Monday Night Football. But catching every game live without paying for a pricey cable subscription can be tricky. The good news is, with a little creativity and some clever tricks, you can still enjoy the action for free.

First things first, most Monday Night Football games are broadcast exclusively on ESPN. However, it’s important to note that these games are shown on the ESPN TV channel, not to be confused with the ESPN+ streaming service, which only offers a handful of Monday Night games. If you already have a cable subscription or a streaming service like Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, you’re all set because they all include ESPN in their line-up. But if you're trying to cut costs, you might want to explore some alternatives.

Here's where things get interesting: Channel 5 in the UK has the rights to broadcast Monday Night Football games for free. Yes, you read that right – free. The catch? It’s only available to viewers in the UK.

Channel 5’s offers a live stream of the games, but it's geo-restricted, which means you need to be in the UK to access it. However, for those of you outside the UK, using a VPN to spoof your location can be a way to access this content, making it seem like you're browsing from the UK.

Some streaming services, like Sling TV, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV, offer free trials ranging from seven days to a month. By signing up, you can catch a few games for free before the trial expires. Just set a reminder to cancel the trial before it converts into a paid subscription to avoid charges.

How to watch Monday Night Football for free with VPN

1. Select a VPN service like NordVPN, now 74% off
2. Connect to a UK server
3. Visit the Channel 5 website
4. Now, you can stream Monday Night Football live

Why do you need VPN to watch Monday Night Football for free

If you’ve ever tried watching Monday Night Football on Channel 5 outside the UK, you know the frustration of seeing that dreaded error message: “It looks like you are trying to access My5 from outside the UK” It’s disappointing, especially when you’ve been looking forward to catching the game all day.

This restriction happens because Channel 5 only has broadcasting rights for viewers in the UK, which means anyone trying to access their stream from another country is blocked.

How a VPN solves this problem

By using a VPN, you can easily get around these frustrating geo-restrictions. When you connect to a VPN server located in the UK, it masks your real IP address and makes it look like you’re browsing from within the UK. Suddenly, that error message disappears, and you’re free to enjoy Monday Night Football without a hitch.

Relive your routine anywhere. Imagine being on vacation or a work trip and not missing a beat of your football routine. With a VPN, you can continue to watch your favorite teams play live, no matter where you are in the world. It's like carrying a piece of home with you, ensuring you never have to miss a game.

Protect your privacy. Beyond just accessing blocked content, a VPN also keeps your internet connection secure. It encrypts your data, making sure that your online activities are private. This is especially useful when you’re streaming from public Wi-Fi networks, which can be vulnerable to cyber threats.

More than just Monday Night Football. VPNs aren't limited to Channel 5. They can help you access out-of-market NFL games too. If you're a die-hard fan wanting to watch games outside your local broadcast area, a VPN can connect you to servers that have access to those games. For more tips on using a VPN to catch out-of-market NFL games, check out our guide here.

Using a VPN not only helps you bypass restrictions but also keeps your connection secure and private. So, whether you’re traveling, living abroad, or just looking for more flexibility in your viewing options, a VPN is an essential tool for every football fan.

Watch Monday Night Football with NordVPN

NordVPN is the best choice for watching the NFL’s Monday Night Football games. By using NordVPN, you can unlock access to Channel 5, a UK streaming service that broadcasts NFL games, including Monday Night Football. With NordVPN’s fast speeds and the ability to connect to UK servers, you can get a UK IP address and stream Monday Night Football live without interruptions.

cybernews® score

4.9 /5

• Bypasses content blocks
• Fast speeds for smooth streaming
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Visit NordVPN

How to watch NFL in 2024

Knowing where to catch NFL games this season is key. Different TV channels and streaming services have the right to air different games, usually depending on the day and time. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate where to watch:

Sunday Afternoon Games (1 PM and 4 PM ET) – CBS and FOX

Most Sunday afternoon games are split between CBS and FOX. Generally, CBS broadcasts games featuring teams from the AFC (American Football Conference), while FOX covers the NFC (National Football Conference) games. Your local game will depend on where you live, but these two networks usually feature the best matchups each week.

Prime Time Games:

• Sunday Night Football (8:20 PM ET) – NBC and Peacock. Sunday night games are a big deal and you can catch them on NBC or stream them live on Peacock. This time slot often features high-profile matchups, so make sure you’re tuned in.
• Monday Night Football – ESPN and ABC. Monday night games are primarily aired on ESPN. Occasionally, some games will also be shown on ABC, offering an alternative way to watch. Keep in mind that ESPN+, the streaming service, only carries a few Monday Night games, so you’ll need access to ESPN’s TV channel to watch most games.
• Thursday Night Football – Amazon Prime Video. If you want to watch Thursday night games, you’ll need a subscription to Amazon Prime Video. These games are exclusively available on Amazon, making it a must-have for fans who want to catch mid-week action.

How to watch different NFL matches

Watching NFL games without a traditional cable TV subscription is easier than ever, thanks to various streaming options that provide access to key channels. Here’s how you can catch all the action:

TV Channels for NFL games: CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC

Most NFL games are broadcast on major TV networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and sometimes ABC. These channels are traditionally available through cable TV subscriptions. However, you can also watch them using an over-the-air TV antenna or through live TV streaming services that include these channels in their packages.

Live TV streaming services:

To stream NFL games, consider signing up for one of these live TV streaming services. They allow you to watch the major TV networks without a cable subscription:

1. YouTube TV. Offers a broad range of channels, including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC, making it a solid choice for streaming NFL games. It includes unlimited DVR storage, so you can record games and watch them later.
2. Hulu + Live TV. Provides access to all the key channels – CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC. With Hulu’s combination of live TV and on-demand content, you can catch live games and enjoy other shows and movies in your downtime.
3. FuboTV. Known for its sports-oriented offerings, FuboTV includes CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC in its packages. It's a great option if you're a sports fan who also wants access to international sports and other events.
4. Sling TV. Offers two main packages – Sling Blue and Sling Orange. For full NFL coverage, consider combining both. Sling Orange includes ESPN, while Sling Blue offers FOX and NBC. CBS and ABC aren’t available on Sling, so you might miss some games unless you use an antenna.
5. DirectTV Stream. This service offers packages that include CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and ABC. It’s similar to a traditional cable package but available over the internet, making it a convenient option for watching live sports.

Standalone streaming services for NFL games:

1. Amazon Prime Video. Exclusively broadcasts Thursday Night Football. You’ll need an Amazon Prime membership to access these games, which you can stream directly through the Prime Video app.
2. ESPN+. While ESPN+ doesn’t carry all Monday Night Football games, it does feature select NFL games and additional football content, such as highlights and analysis. Remember, ESPN+ is a separate subscription from the ESPN TV channel.
3. Peacock. NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, streams Sunday Night Football. To catch these games live, you’ll need a Peacock Premium subscription. However, if you're looking for ways to watch Sunday Night Football without a subscription, some free NFL stream options are available.
4. Netflix. Although not typically known for live sports, Netflix will offer something special this holiday season. On December 25, 2024, Netflix will become the global home for two of the NFL's Christmas Day marquee games. While you won't find regular season live NFL broadcasts on Netflix, this unique opportunity makes it a must-watch for football fans during the holidays. For other NFL-related content, Netflix may still feature documentaries and series that explore the sport’s history, players, and cultural impact.

By combining a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, or DirecTV Stream with standalone options like Amazon Prime Video, ESPN+, and Peacock, you can watch almost every NFL game without needing a traditional cable subscription. Whether it’s Sunday afternoons, Monday nights, or Thursday nights, these services offer flexible and accessible ways to catch all the football action.

NFL Monday Night Football schedule

Here’s the 2024 NFL Monday Night Football schedule with the teams, dates, and times for each matchup: