15 Free NFL Streaming Options: How to Watch NFL Games for Free in 2025
The current NFL season is in full swing, and NFL fans everywhere want to get in on the action -- especially via free NFL streaming options. If you count yourself among them, check out our guide on how to watch NFL games for free from anywhere.
In the U.S., National Football League coverage is distributed across four channels: ESPN, CBS, Fox and NBC. Cord cutters often turn to a live TV streaming service, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV, to access NFL channels, but these can be expensive. As a result, some fans are looking for free NFL streaming options.
This guide will walk you through how to watch NFL games for free on various platforms.
Some free streaming platforms are fully licensed, but we’ll let you know which ones are not legitimate. If you use these sites, we strongly recommend using a reputable VPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee like NordVPN to protect yourself and keep your data private. Read on to learn more about how to stream NFL games for free and which VPNs are best for streaming.
-
08/25/2024 Facts checked
Replaced Proton VPN with PrivadoVPN as the best free VPN.
-
Updated to include key dates for the 2024/25 NFL season.
-
10/01/2024
We revamped this article’s how-to section and adjusted the rankings to reflect the current VPN landscape.
Are There Free NFL Streaming Sites?
Yes, you can watch certain games on some free streaming sites, which we’ll list in the next section. Keep in mind that not every free sports streaming site is official and legal — questionable ones are typically full of pop-ups. Depending on the law in the country you’re in, using these sites may be illegal.
Protect Your Privacy. Get Our Free VPN Guide Now!

- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
Though we prefer to use legitimate free and paid platforms (which are safer), we know people often turn to unofficial sites as an alternative. If you do use a non-licensed free site, protect yourself with a VPN (virtual private network), a pop-up blocker and antivirus software.
We’ve listed the best VPN recommendations further down, but if you’re curious about secure free VPNs to pair with a free streaming site, PrivadoVPN — with its unlimited free data offering — is a great option. Learn more about the VPN in our PrivadoVPN review.
5 Best Free NFL Streaming Sites: Legitimate
Below is a list of the most popular legitimate free NFL streaming sites and what they offer. When you register for some of these services, you may be asked to provide a local postal code. Do a quick Google search to find one.
1. 7Plus

The fully legal and free 7Plus is an Australian streaming service that broadcasts two games live per week. The games are available to stream on demand for seven days afterward. The live streams arrive on Monday mornings in Australia due to the time difference. If you’re outside Australia, you’ll need to connect to an Australian server on a VPN to access the platform.
2. Channel 5 (My5)

Those in the U.K. can stream Monday Night games on Channel 5 or sign in to its (legal) free online streaming service, My5. If you’re not in the U.K., hop on a VPN server in the U.K. to partake, and don’t forget to check the time difference.
3. Twitch

Amazon Prime Video is the home of Thursday Night Football games in the U.S., but you can also catch the action on Prime Video’s official Twitch page. Those outside the U.S. can connect to a U.S. server on a VPN to gain access to the stream.
4. 6play

In France, one game is streamed live every Sunday at 19:00 CET on 6play, an official free streaming site. The game is also available on demand after the live stream. If you’re outside France, you can use a VPN to access the site. The only caveat is that the commentary is in French — there are no English subtitles.
5. RTL+

Fans in Germany and Austria can head to RTL+ to see live streams from RTL and Nitro, Germany’s two official NFL partner channels. There are two games broadcast weekly on Sundays and one exclusive game on RTL+.
The NFL coverage we were able to watch on demand was in English, so it could be a solid option for English-speaking fans. We can’t guarantee the live streams will be in English, though. If you’re having trouble accessing the stream from outside Germany or Austria, connect to a German VPN server.
10 Unlicensed Free Sites for NFL Streaming
If you’re not sure which sites aren’t fully licensed, we’ve created a list of the most well-known ones. If you’re using unofficial free sites like these, protect yourself with all the necessary security software, including a VPN.
A VPN changes your IP address to one in another location and encrypts your data to prevent hackers and snoopers from getting hold of it. You’ll also need decent antivirus software just in case and an ad blocker, as most free sites are riddled with pop-up ads.
1. DaddyLiveHD

If you’re okay with using non-official free sites, DaddyLiveHD hosts NFL games and a huge selection of content from other channels. It does not host the content on its site, but rather links to third-party sites.
2. StreamNFL

Like DaddyLiveHD, StreamNFL is a non-official free streaming site that links to NFL games. The website is set up so that all sports fans need to do is click on the game they want to watch on the schedule.
3. DofuStream

If you visit DofuStream’s website, you’ll see a selection of apps to download to watch live NFL games. This ad-supported service seems to be very popular, but we didn’t see any apps offering live matches on iOS — only on Android.
4. NFL WebCast

clicking the team tabs at the top of the page.
NFL WebCast, an unofficial free NFL streaming site, links to third-party streams, as is the case with most other unlicensed sites. You can watch content from all the big NFL channels on this site: CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN and the NFL Network.
5. Buffstreams

Ad-supported site Buffstreams divides all the streams it links to into categories on its home page (football, hockey, etc.) There’s also a “live now” tab at the top of the page to streamline the search for fans in a rush.
6. Cricfree

Cricfree, as its name suggests, is another free sports streaming site. It links to a variety of sporting events, including American football streams and more. Like most sites on this list, Cricfree is non-official and ad-based.
7. Sportlemon

Unofficial sports streaming site Sportlemon is simple and posts links 15 minutes ahead of the games. They’re easy to find under the football-dedicated tab. As with most free sites, you’ll be greeted by pop-ups, so don’t forget to switch on your ad blocker.
8. USTVGO

In its “sports” section, USTVGO has links to various U.S. sports channels, including ESPN and ABC, though we didn’t see NBC or CBS. It operates by linking to content rather than hosting it, like the other unofficial free sites mentioned here.
9. NFLbite

Free streaming site NFLbite organizes its content into team tabs at the top of the page and lets you know when the teams will be playing in each category. The links show up about an hour before the games start.
10. Bosscast

Bosscast appears to be linked to Cricfree, another free sports streaming site. In addition to NFL streams, it links to soccer and rugby matches and NHL and MLB games.
How to Watch NFL Games With a VPN
If you need to access an NFL live stream outside your region, here’s how to change your IP address to another location and keep yourself secure whether you’re using a legitimate or non-official site. As an example, we’ll show you how to access 7Plus from outside Australia.
- Subscribe to a VPN Service
Go to a VPN provider’s website and sign up for a plan. We recommend NordVPN, which has a cheap two-year plan and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download the VPN
Download and install the VPN app onto your device. On mobile, navigate to the App Store or Google Play Store to download the app. Once installed, open the app and log in.
- Connect to an Australian Server
Use NordVPN’s server list or map to find and connect to a server in Australia.
- Go to 7Plus
Go to 7Plus and register for a free account. You’ll need to enter an Australian postal code to sign up (Google one). Navigate to the “live” tab and click “7Mate” to watch Sunday Afternoon games.
The Best VPNs for Watching NFL Games Online
Anyone who streams content online — whether live sports, movies or TV shows — can benefit greatly from using a VPN. That said, they’re not all created equal, and some are far ahead of the pack. Here are the top three providers we recommend for streaming.
1. NordVPN — Best VPN for Free NFL Streams


Very Fast

Very Fast

Very Fast
NordVPN takes the top spot in many areas, with pricing and speeds being two of the major ones. Check out our best cheap VPN and best fast VPN guides for more information. Our NordVPN review also highlights its many strengths.
On the other hand, in spite of its well-organized desktop interface, NordVPN can be a bit more challenging to use on mobile. Its mobile app can be tricky for those who aren’t great at geography, and its advanced features can be finicky to enable. However, we still think NordVPN is an excellent service for streaming.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Cheap VPN for Free NFL Streaming


Very Fast

Very Fast

Very Fast
When picking a VPN for streaming, speed and security are the two main factors you’ll want to take into account. Surfshark scores highly in both areas, as explained in our Surfshark review. As one of the fastest VPNs, Surfshark’s upload and download speeds are great, though its latency is high on nearby servers.
Though its short-term plans are pricey (as is the case for most providers), Surfshark’s two-year plans are very reasonable, especially with all the extra features (ad blocker, antivirus, etc.) included for a few dollars per month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee should you change your mind.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Pricing for the annual and biennial plans only apply for the first payment. Renewal fees vary.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. ExpressVPN — Best Beginner-Friendly VPN for NFL Free Streams

security features and beginner-friendly apps.

Very Fast

Very Fast

Very Fast
ExpressVPN consistently accesses streaming services, offers great security and is the most beginner-friendly provider VPN. It’s also speedy, which is very important when it comes to streaming.
Now for the not-so-good stuff: ExpressVPN is not what you’d call an “affordable” provider — the only element that puts a damper on this otherwise perfect service. Nevertheless, you can try it out knowing it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for more information.
NFL 2024/25 Key Dates
Below, you can see key dates for the 2024/25 NFL schedule. If you want the full NFL 2024-2025 schedule, check it out in our how to watch the NFL guide.
Date | Scheduled Event | More Info |
Sept. 5, 2024 | Opening Weekend | Regular season starts |
Sept. 6, 2024 | First Brazil Game | Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo |
Oct. 6 – Oct. 20, 2024 | London Games | Three NFL games in London across three weekends |
Nov. 10, 2024 | Munich Game | Carolina Panthers vs N.Y. Giants at Allianz Arena in Munich |
Nov. 28, 2024 | Thanksgiving Games | Three traditional holiday games |
Jan. 11 – Jan. 13, 2025 | NFL Super Wildcard Weekend | first round of the playoffs |
Jan. 18 – Jan. 19, 2025 | NFL Divisional Playoffs | Four teams in each conference compete for a place in the AFC & NFC Championships |
Jan. 26, 2025 | Conference Championship Games | Determines the teams that will play at the Super Bowl LIX (59) |
Feb. 2, 2025 | Pro Bowl Games | Game between best NFL players that takes place weekend before Super bowl |
Feb. 9, 2025 | Super Bowl LIX | Super Bowl 59 takes place at the Caesars Superdrome in New Orleans |
Final Thoughts
We can’t guarantee you’ll be able to watch every NFL game, but to recap, 7Plus, Channel 5 (My5), Twitch, 6Play and RTL+ are the best legitimate sites to live stream NFL games for free. A VPN can help you access these sites if you’re outside Australia, the U.K., Germany, France or the U.S. NordVPN is the best choice and it includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Several illegitimate free sites link to NFL streams, but you should always exercise caution when using these sites, as they may not be fully secure or anonymous. Fire up a VPN, an ad blocker and antivirus software if you plan on using non-official sites.
Curious of learning how NFL recruits talent? If you’re a true football fan, you’ll surely enjoy our coverage on how to watch the NFL Draft online. Which site will you use to access NFL live streams? If you use a VPN, which one and why? Let us know in the comments, and thanks for reading.
FAQ: Stream NFL Games for Free
Free-to-air channels with NFL coverage include ABC (Monday Night Football), Fox (local games), NBC (Sunday Night Football) and CBS (local games). However, ESPN, which hosts Monday Night games, is not free to air.
You can either sign up for a free trial with a streaming service that shows NFL games or use sites like Channel 5 (My5), 7Plus, 6Play, RTL+ or Twitch, depending on the game you want to watch.
Those with NFL+ can watch games in the NFL app in the U.S. Those overseas will need NFL Game Pass International.
It’s free to download the app itself, but you will need to subscribe to NFL+ to stream the games in the app.
You have to pay for services like NFL+, NFL Game Pass International and live services like Hulu + Live TV. However, if you’re only interested in certain games, you can use free services like Channel 5 (My5), 7Plus, 6Play, RTL+ and Twitch. Use a VPN to access these if you’re geoblocked.