Watching NFL Games Outside Your Region: Here’s How to Do It
Let’s face it—being a die-hard NFL fan outside your favorite team’s home area can be frustrating. If you’re living across the country (or even just a few states away) from your team’s market, watching those games live might feel nearly impossible. But don’t worry—there are ways around that. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to stream out-of-market NFL games no matter where you are.
What Are Out-of-Market NFL Games?
Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the challenge.
Out-of-market games are NFL games that are not broadcast in your local TV area. Broadcasters, like CBS and FOX, air certain games based on your location—and if your team isn’t in your region, you won’t get to watch them live unless it’s a nationally televised game on NBC, ESPN, or Amazon Prime Video.
So how do you get around that pesky geographic restriction? The answer: streaming tools and services.
Best Ways to Watch Out-of-Market NFL Games
1. NFL Sunday Ticket
If you want the full NFL package, NFL Sunday Ticket is hands down the most direct route. It gives you access to every out-of-market Sunday afternoon game, live.
Here’s the catch—it used to be exclusive to DirecTV, but now it’s available through YouTube TV (available as an add-on). It doesn’t come cheap, but if watching your team every week is a priority, it could be worth it.
2. NFL+ Premium
The NFL offers its own streaming service called NFL+, and it has two tiers. The basic plan only allows you to watch local games and primetime matchups on your phone or tablet.
But the NFL+ Premium plan includes
.
The downside? You won’t get live out-of-market games. Still, if you’re okay waiting until after the game ends, it’s a pretty affordable option.
3. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
One of the more tech-savvy—but legal—ways to watch out-of-market NFL games involves using a VPN.
How does that help? A VPN hides your actual IP address and lets you appear as if you’re in a different location. This means you can connect to a server in your favorite team’s home city and access content meant only for that market.
Here’s how to get started:
It’s that simple. Just be sure the streaming service doesn’t block VPN traffic—many do, so reliability matters here.
4. Explore Live TV Streaming Services
Streaming platforms like Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV offer live access to channels like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. While they mostly show local games, some offer additional add-ons or options to expand coverage.
For example:
These services are often more flexible than cable—and if you pair them with a VPN, your options really open up.
5. Try NFL RedZone for the Action Highlights
If you don’t necessarily care about watching every minute of all your team’s games, NFL RedZone is a fantastic alternative. It jumps around to all the games every time a team enters the red zone (the area inside the 20-yard line).
It’s ideal for fantasy football fans or those who just want nonstop action.
You can get it through various platforms like:
6. International NFL Game Pass
Traveling or living outside the U.S.? You’re in luck.
NFL Game Pass International gives viewers outside the U.S. live access to every NFL game—including playoffs and the Super Bowl. That’s the dream, right?
All you need is:
If you’re located in the U.S. and want access to this version, a VPN can help you bypass the location restriction.
Which Option is Best for You?
Not everyone is looking for the same experience, so picking the right method depends on your budget, tech skills, and how much football you want to watch.
Consider this:
- Want every out-of-market game live? Go with NFL Sunday Ticket or a VPN + local streaming combo.
- Okay with replays or condensed games? NFL+ Premium might do the trick.
- Just want the highlights? RedZone has you covered.
- Outside the U.S.? NFL Game Pass International is built just for you.
Don’t Forget About Blackouts
One thing to keep in mind: local blackouts still exist. If a game doesn’t sell enough tickets or if it’s being broadcast locally, even NFL Sunday Ticket might block it. VPNs can help here too by placing you in a “safe” market where the blackout doesn’t apply.
Final Thoughts
Catching every NFL game, no matter where you live, is totally doable in 2024. Whether you go with a subscription service, use a VPN, or juggle both—it’s all about what works for you.
Here’s a personal tip—I combine YouTube TV with a VPN. That way, I can switch locations based on which team I want to follow. It’s like unlocking a sports-watching superpower. Sure, it took a bit to set up, but now I never miss a game.
So go ahead and gear up for the season. With the right tools, you can watch your favorite NFL team play every down—even if you’re watching from hundreds of miles away.
