How to Watch NFL and College Football in 2026 (Best Streaming Options for Football Fans and Kickers)

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links (marked “Affiliate link”). If you sign up through them, Kickers of Earth may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The comparison is written the same either way, and the prices below were read from each provider’s own site on October 8, 2026. Prices and channel lineups change often, so confirm before you pay.

Football season is the best film room a kicker will ever get, and it costs only the price of a subscription. The problem is that watching the NFL and college football in 2026 means choosing between six or seven services that all claim to be the answer. This guide sorts them by what they carry, what they cost, and who they suit, with a section at the end on how to watch games like a kicker instead of like a fan.

Start With the Games You Actually Want

Before comparing prices, write down what you watch. Most people fall into one of three groups, and each group has a different best answer.

• Local NFL plus college Saturdays: you need the broadcast networks (CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC) and ESPN. A live TV streaming service covers this in one place.
• One team, every game, anywhere: out-of-market coverage is the hard part. That points toward NFL Sunday Ticket, an add-on to YouTube TV, or a service that carries your team’s market.
• College only, or a specific conference: a cheaper ESPN-based plan can cover a lot of games without replacing cable entirely.

Fubo: Best for Sports-First Households

Fubo is built around sports, which is why it keeps showing up at the top of football lists. Its Pro plan lists $88.99 per month after a promotional first month at $63.99, and the Elite plan lists $98.99 per month after a $68.99 first month. Both include ABC, CBS and FOX, and ESPN Unlimited. NBC is available in select markets only. Fubo also notes that a regional sports fee, ranging from $3.99 to $16.99 a month depending on where you live, may apply. NFL RedZone is listed on the Elite with Sports Plus tier, at $108.99 per month after a $78.99 first month.

Who it suits: families and fans who want one bill for NFL Sundays, Monday night and college Saturdays, and who care about the sports-heavy channel mix more than the lowest price. Who it does not suit: anyone watching only a couple of games a season, since this is among the pricier options. Fubo is a US-only service, and channel details vary by zip code, so check your lineup on the plan page before you commit.

If your football is mostly the pros, here is Fubo’s NFL page (Affiliate link). If your Saturdays belong to college football, Fubo’s college football page is the one to open (Affiliate link).

YouTube TV: The Big All-Rounder

YouTube TV lists its base plan at $82.99 a month, with a promotional $59.99 a month for the first two months, and offers a 21-day free trial. It carries 100+ channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN and NFL Network. Its signature advantage is the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, available at an additional cost, so it is the natural pick for a fan living far from the team they follow.

Who it suits: the fan with a favorite team in another state, and anyone who wants the full network lineup and a simple interface. Who it does not suit: someone who only watches college football, who can get what they need for less.

Sling: The Budget Live TV Option

Sling lists Orange and Blue at $45.99 a month each, and Orange and Blue combined at $60.99. The home page shows ESPN with Sling Orange, and Sling notes that day passes are no longer available. The trade-off is that the network and local channel lineup differs by plan and market, so confirm that the channels carrying your games are on the plan you pick before you subscribe.

Who it suits: cost-conscious fans who mainly want ESPN-family games and can live with checking the rest. Who it does not suit: anyone who needs every Sunday network game locked in without research.

NFL+: Games on Your Phone

NFL+ is the league’s own service. It offers live local and primetime games on a phone or tablet, plus replays and other on-demand content, and it comes in two tiers, NFL+ and NFL+ Premium. Check the current price on nfl.com before you decide. Who it suits: the commuter or traveler who wants a game on a small screen, and anyone who wants replays for film study. Who it does not suit: people who want to put the game on the living-room TV, since the live games are aimed at mobile devices.

ESPN: The Cheap Way Into College Football

ESPN Unlimited lists at $31.99 a month and covers college football, including ACC, Big 12, SEC and the College Football Playoff on ABC and ESPN, as well as Monday Night Football and NFL Network content. ESPN also lists a bundle with Fox One at $39.99 a month (a promotional price shown as discounted from $49.98), which adds FOX Sports, FS1 and Big Ten Network. For a college-heavy household this is often the best value in the market.

Who it suits: college football fans who want ESPN, ABC-aired games and a lower bill. Who it does not suit: anyone who needs CBS, FOX and NBC local broadcasts for Sunday NFL games.

Peacock and Paramount+: Add-Ons for Specific Games

Peacock streams NBC games such as Sunday Night Football, and Paramount+ carries CBS content, including many NFL games in local markets. Neither replaces a full live TV service for a whole season, but either can fill a gap for one game or one matchup. Both change their prices and plans frequently, so check the current price on each service’s own site before you subscribe.

Quick Picks

If you are…	Look at
An all-sports household that wants NFL and college in one place	Fubo or YouTube TV
A fan far from your favorite NFL team	YouTube TV with Sunday Ticket
A college-first fan on a budget	ESPN Unlimited
Watching on the go	NFL+
Cost-conscious, flexible on channels	Sling

How Kickers Should Watch Football

The streaming service is the easy part. What you do with the game is where a kicker improves. Here is how to watch with purpose.

1. Watch the operation, not just the ball. Pause on every field goal and punt and count the snap, hold and kick. You are looking for the same tempo you want in your own reps. Our guide to field goal operation timing gives you the numbers to measure against.
2. Study one kicker per game. Pick the kicker or punter and track their plant foot, approach and finish on each attempt. Our Justin Tucker form breakdown shows what to look for.
3. Watch pregame warmups. Pros reveal their routines on the sideline, including how many kicks they take and how they pick targets. Compare that with your own routine.
4. Pay attention to situations. Wind, weather and field conditions change the kick. Note when a kicker chooses a different aiming point or ball trajectory.
5. Follow the rules. Rule changes shape strategy. Read our guide to the 2026 kickoff rule changes and then watch how teams use them.
6. Watch punt coverage. A punt that hangs long enough lets the coverage team arrive. See punt hang time vs distance for what to look for.
7. Use replays. DVR and on-demand features let you slow down kicks. Most of the services above include some form of DVR or replay, but check the specifics for your plan.
8. Keep notes. Write down one thing per game that you will try in your next session. Over a season, those notes add up to a real technique library.

For a look at who is winning jobs, see NFL Kicker Battles 2026.

The Bottom Line

There is no single best way to watch football in 2026. If you want one service for NFL Sundays and college Saturdays, Fubo and YouTube TV are the main contenders, and Fubo’s sports-first lineup is the stronger fit for households that live on game day. If college is the priority, ESPN Unlimited costs far less. If you travel, NFL+ puts games in your pocket. Whichever you pick, use the free trial where one is offered, confirm your local channels before paying, and then spend the games learning from the best kickers in the world.