Remember when watching football meant you had to have cable? Those days are long gone. With the rise of streaming services, you can catch all the action from your favorite teams without being locked into an expensive cable subscription.

Whether it’s the NFL, college games, or even international football (Ted Lasso style, aka ‘soccer’ for us in the U.S.), there are plenty of ways to stay in the game. So if you’ve cut the cord but you still want to watch football, here are some great options to get your football fix.

1. Live TV streaming services

If you want the feel of traditional live TV without the big ol’ cable bill, live TV streaming services are a great way to watch football. These platforms give you access to a lot of the same channels that air NFL and college football games, like ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC, and the NFL Network. Here are some of the most popular services:

  • Hulu + Live TV: Hulu’s live TV package gives you access to major networks like CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN, all of which broadcast NFL games. Hulu + Live TV also comes with Hulu’s full streaming library, so you get tons of shows and movies on top of live sports.
  • YouTube TV: Another solid option, YouTube TV offers over 85 channels, including sports-heavy networks like ESPN, Fox, and CBS. You also get unlimited DVR storage, so you can record your favorite games and watch them later.
  • Sling TV: Sling TV is one of the more affordable live TV streaming options, but you’ll need to choose between Sling Blue (Fox, NBC) and Sling Orange (ESPN). You can also add the NFL Network or RedZone as part of an extra package.
  • FuboTV: FuboTV is geared toward sports fans, with channels like CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN, and the NFL Network. It’s a bit pricier than some other options, but the heavy sports focus makes it a favorite for football fans.

Brigit tip: These services usually offer free trials, so you can try them out for a few days to see if they meet your football with no cable needs before committing.

2. NFL App or NFL Game Pass

If you’re mostly interested in the NFL, the NFL App is a must-have. You can’t watch all the games live, but the app offers live local and primetime games, including Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football. Plus, you can catch highlights, news, and updates all in one place.

For even more access, NFL Game Pass lets you watch replays of every NFL game after they’ve aired. While Game Pass doesn’t offer live coverage in the U.S., it’s perfect for those who don’t mind waiting a bit to catch the games. You can watch full game replays or condensed versions that skip all the commercials and downtime. Just make sure you don’t catch any spoilers online, and tell your friends not to text you scores until after you’ve watched the game!

Brigit tip: NFL Game Pass offers a free trial, so if you want to see how it fits into your viewing habits, give it a go during the start of the season.

3. Network apps and websites

If you prefer to stick to the networks that traditionally air NFL games, like CBS, NBC, and Fox, you can stream games directly from their apps or websites.

  • CBS All Access (now known as Paramount+. We know, it’s hard to keep track!): With a Paramount+ subscription, you can watch NFL games broadcast on CBS, including AFC matchups. It also offers on-demand content like shows and movies, so you get more than just football.
  • NBC Sports app/Peacock: You can catch all Sunday Night Football games live on the NBC Sports app or Peacock. Peacock also airs select games, plus on-demand content, making it a great all-around streaming option.
  • Fox Sports app: Fox streams NFC games and Thursday Night Football, and you can watch live via the Fox Sports app. However, you’ll need to sign in with a TV provider to get access, so this one works best if you already have access to Fox through a streaming service.

Brigit tip: Lots of these apps allow you to watch for free if you sign in with a streaming service login. It’s worth checking to see which apps your service supports.

4. Antenna for local games

If you’re looking to catch local NFL games without paying for any streaming services, rocking a simple old school (but digital) antenna might be all you need. Channels like CBS, NBC, and Fox broadcast many local games over the air, and with an antenna, you can watch them live in HD for free. Antennas are a one-time purchase and can pull in network channels in your area, giving you access to many of the same games you’d get with cable.

This option is great if you’re mainly interested in your local team or regional games. Plus, you can combine an antenna with streaming services to cover all your football with no cable bases.

Brigit tip: Antennas work best if you live in or near a major city, so check your location’s signal strength before you buy one.

5. Amazon Prime Video

Prime members can catch Thursday Night Football games through Prime Video. They’ve been streaming these games for a few years now, and the broadcast quality is top-notch. If you’re already a Prime member, this is a no-brainer for catching Thursday night matchups without having to pay for extra services.

Brigit tip: If you’re not a Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial, which might be worth it if you’re looking to watch a few games and check out all the other Prime perks.

6. ESPN+ for college football

If you’re a fan of college football, ESPN+ is a great option for streaming games. While ESPN+ won’t carry every major matchup (you’ll need a full ESPN package for that), it does offer exclusive games, especially for smaller conferences and schools. It’s also very affordable compared to most live TV streaming services.

Brigit tip: ESPN+ is included in the Disney+ bundle, which also comes with Hulu. If you’re already a Disney+ fan, this bundle is a great deal to watch football with no cable and a ton of other content.

7. YouTube for highlights and recaps

If you’re okay with skipping the live action and just want to stay in the loop, regular old YouTube is packed with game highlights, recaps, and analysis totally free. The NFL, ESPN, and individual teams have official YouTube channels where you can catch all the best moments from the games without needing any kind of subscription. It’s a great way to stay updated on the season without spending a dime!

Brigit tip: Subscribe to your favorite teams’ official YouTube channels so you can get notifications when new highlights are posted.