How to watch Monday Night Football for free
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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, I have a few workarounds that can help you enjoy the action for free.
This season, ESPN is still the main home for Monday Night Football, and many games will also air on ABC. If you already have a streaming service that includes either channel, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Fubo, you’re set, though the exact lineup can depend on your location.
The big change this year is streaming. Starting August 21, 2025, ESPN launched a new direct-to-consumer service within its enhanced ESPN app. It lets you stream all 25 Monday Night Football games live without cable. And unlike previous years, there will be no ESPN+ exclusives, and every game is included through the main ESPN service.
Channel 5 in the UK has the rights to broadcast Monday Night Football games for free, but it's geo-restricted, which means you need to be in the UK to access it. If you’re outside the UK, you can use a VPN to connect to a UK server and access the content.
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.
Keep in mind that there will be nights when two games are played simultaneously. In these instances, Channel 5 may only broadcast one game, so you'll need a backup plan if you want to catch both matchups. Having access to ESPN through a streaming service or cable can ensure you don’t miss any action on those double-header nights.
How to watch Monday Night Football for free with a VPN
- Select a VPN service like NordVPN, which is now 76% off
- Connect to a UK server
- Visit the Channel 5 website
- Now, you can stream Monday Night Football live
Why you need a VPN to watch Monday Night Football for free
If you’ve ever tried watching Monday Night Football on Channel 5 outside the UK, you might have seen the 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.
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.
Watch your team anywhere. If you’re on vacation or a work trip, a VPN lets you stream your favorite teams live from anywhere, so you never miss a game.
Stay private and secure. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your activity private, which is especially handy if you’re using public Wi-Fi.
Go beyond Monday Night Football. VPNs can also unlock out-of-market NFL games by connecting you to servers in different regions. For more tips on using a VPN to catch out-of-market NFL games, check out our guide here.
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.
How to watch the NFL in 2026
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. I’ve prepared a quick guide to help you navigate where to watch.
Sunday afternoon games (1PM and 4PM ET) on 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
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Sunday Night Football (8:20PM ET) on NBC and Peacock. Sunday night games are a big deal, and you can catch them on NBC or stream them live on Peacock, as NBC has exclusive rights to SNF until 2033. This time slot often features high-profile matchups, so make sure you’re tuned in.
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Monday Night Football on ESPN and ABC. ESPN remains the primary home for MNF, with ABC simulcasting many games and even airing an exclusive game during some multi-game weeks. In 2025, there are no ESPN+ exclusive MNF games, and the Week 7 game scheduled initially for ESPN+ was moved back to ESPN. All 25 MNF games now stream live on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer service, so you don’t need cable to watch if you subscribe directly.
- Thursday Night Football on 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. Follow the steps below to 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- DirecTV 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
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.
- 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.
- ESPN+. ESPN+ no longer carries any exclusive NFL games. While it still offers NFL-related content like NFL Primetime, highlights, analysis, and studio shows, it doesn’t stream live regular-season games.
- 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.
- Netflix. Netflix isn’t typically known for live sports, but it continues its NFL Christmas Day tradition. On December 25, 2025, Netflix will stream two exclusive Christmas Day games as part of its multi-year NFL deal. While regular-season games aren’t available on Netflix, this makes it a must-watch for football fans during the holidays.
NFL Monday Night Football schedule
Below, I’ve prepared a chart with the 2026 NFL Monday Night Football schedule with the teams, dates, and times for each matchup.
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Networks |
| 1 | September 8 | Vikings vs Bears | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 2 | September 15 | Buccaneers vs Texans | 7:00PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 2 | September 15 | Chargers vs Raiders | 10:00PM | ESPN |
| 3 | September 22 | Lions vs Ravens | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 4 | September 29 | Jets vs Dolphins | 7:15PM | ESPN |
| 4 | September 29 | Bengals vs Broncos | 8:15PM | ABC |
| 5 | October 6 | Chiefs vs Jaguars | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 6 | October 13 | Bills vs Falcons | 7:15PM | ESPN |
| 6 | October 13 | Bears vs Commanders | 8:15PM | ABC |
| 7 | October 20 | Buccaneers vs Lions | 7:00PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 7 | October 20 | Texans vs Seahawks | 10:00PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 8 | October 27 | Commanders vs Chiefs | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 9 | November 3 | Cardinals vs Cowboys | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 10 | November 10 | Eagles vs Packers | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 11 | November 17 | Cowboys vs Raiders | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 12 | November 24 | Panthers vs 49ers | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 13 | December 1 | Giants vs Patriots | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 14 | December 8 | Eagles vs Chargers | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 15 | December 15 | Dolphins vs Steelers | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 16 | December 22 | 49ers vs Colts | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 17 | December 29 | Rams vs Falcons | 8:15PM | ESPN, ABC |
| 18 | January 5, 2026 | TBD Doubleheader (Flex) | TBA | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ |
Conclusion
No matter where you are or how you watch, Monday Night Football in 2025 has plenty of options. Between ESPN’s new streaming service, traditional TV broadcasts, and international access, you won’t miss a single game. If you’re outside the US or UK, a VPN like NordVPN can help you stream the action as if you were at home.
