The NFL kicks off with the Cowboys vs Eagles tonight, before the Chiefs vs Chargers in São Paulo tomorrow — a game that will be live streamed for free on YouTube. The Ravens vs Bills and Vikings vs Bears are in the primetime SNF and MNF slots. Yep, NFL is back with a bang for Week 1.
You can watch NFL 2025 from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.
The 2025 NFL season runs from September 4, 2025 to February 8, 2026.
• Australia — 7Plus (FREE select games)
• U.K. — My5 (FREE select games)
• New Zealand — TVNZ Plus (FREE select games)
• U.S. — Twitch (FREE select games)
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
Tonight also marks the competitive debut of the NFL’s multi-million dollar virtual line-to-gain system, which has been keeping those in the know up at night despite extensive testing. You may have also caught wind of "Rivalries" uniforms for the new season, but there’ll be no such thing on opening night, with the Cowboys kitted out in navy, silver-green and white, and the Eagles in green, black and white.
Having been knocked out of the playoffs by the Chiefs in four of the last five seasons, the Bills and MVP Josh Allen will be doing everything to stay grounded, but the final days of Highmark lend additional significance to their NFL 2025 campaign.
Similarly, the Lamar Jackson/Derrick Henry/John Harbaugh triumvirate is among the most celebrated in the league, but the Ravens have fallen short too often. And, now that DC Aaron Glenn and OC Ben Johnson are trying their hands at head coaching roles, Dan Campbell's Lions fear their chance may have already come and gone.
Can Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts run it back, or has Vic Fangio changed too much too soon in the Eagles defense? Is Patrick Mahomes finally going to get protection from the Chiefs' first-round pick Josh Simmons? Can the Commanders' Jayden Daniels resist the sophomore slump? It's time to find out.
Check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch NFL 2025 from anywhere, including free options.
Watch NFL live streams for FREE
You can watch select NFL games free-of-charge on 7Plus in Australia, My5 in the U.K., TVNZ Plus in New Zealand, and Twitch in the U.S..
7Plus shows TNF and two Sunday day games each week; My5 shows two Sunday day games each week; TVNZ Plus shows three games each week; Twitch shows TNF each week.
Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to watch NFL 2025 for free. We’ll show you how to do that below.
Watch NFL 2025 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the football on your usual subscription?
You can still watch NFL 2025 live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view an Aussie service, you'd select Australia from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to 7Plus or another streaming service and watch NFL 2025.
How to watch NFL live streams in the U.S.
This season, NFL games are being televised on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and NFL Network, and live streamed on Twitch, Prime Video, Paramount Plus, Peacock, ESPN Select/ESPN Unlimited and Netflix.
Best ways to watch NFL without cable
The most cost-efficient way of tuning in is via one of the best cable TV alternatives.
Sling will give you the most bang for your buck, though it doesn't carry CBS. Sling Blue includes NFL Network, and local network affiliates from ABC, FOX and NBC (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN and ESPN 2. Both plans start at $46/month, but you can combine them for $61/month (with the first month currently available at half price.
YouTube TV is comprehensive but more expensive. It carries ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network — as well as local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC affiliates — in its base plan, which usually costs $82.99 per month. But right now you can get your first three months for $49.99 each after a 3-day FREE trial. RedZone costs an extra $10/month.
If you want just about every NFL game — even the out-of-market ones — you can add NFL Sunday Ticket to your subscription. It usually costs $378/year, but right now you can get Sunday Ticket for $276/year on top of YouTube TV.
Another great alternative is Fubo, which carries all the broadcast channels, plus ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network. It usually costs $84.99/month, but you'll get your first month for $54.99 after a 7-day FREE trial.
Watch NFL via streaming services
Twitch and Prime Video are home to TNF from Weeks 2 to 17 (excluding Thanksgiving), plus the NFL Black Friday game. Prime Video will also show a Wildcard Round game. Prime Video costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day FREE trial, but Twitch is free.
CBS simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on Paramount Plus, which starts at $7.99/month or $59.99/year after a 7-day FREE trial.
FOX simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on FOX One, which costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year after a 7-day FREE trial.
NBC simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on Peacock, which will also show one Week 17 Saturday night game exclusively. A subscription costs $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
ESPN simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on ESPN Unlimited, which carries ESPN Select and all ESPN channels, and costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but for a limited time you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99/month for 12 months.
Finally, you will need a Netflix subscription to access this year's Christmas Day games during Week 17. The games will also air on a broadcast network in the competing teams’ cities.
One final option is NFL Plus, the NFL's own streaming service, which provides access to live local and primetime games. The catch is you can only watch on your phone or tablet. NFL Plus starts at $6.99 a month and also offers a Premium tier with access to NFL RedZone on your TV.
How to watch NFL live streams in the U.K.
Two NFL games are free-to-air in the U.K. each Sunday evening, courtesy of Channel 5, 5Action and the My5 streaming service. Select London games and the Super Bowl will also be shown on the free platform.
Sky Sports airs at least five live games per week including every TNF, SNF and MNF, and NFL RedZone.
If you want to sign up, you can check out Sky TV deals and packages for today's best prices. Or, if you don't fancy being locked into a contract, you could opt for a NOW Sports membership with plans starting at £14.99 for a day pass.
Another option is NFL Game Pass on DAZN, which live streams every fixture (apart from London games), plus RedZone. NFL Game Pass starts at £17.99/month.
If you're not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to one of these services, try using NordVPN to watch the NFL as if you were back at home.
How to watch NFL live streams in Canada
In Canada, select games are shown on Bell Media networks TSN, CTV and RDS (French-language), each week.
If you don't have cable, you could subscribe to TSN+ instead, which lets you get access to all TSN has to offer on an $8/month or $80/year subscription basis.
Every single game is shown on the Canadian NFL Game Pass, which comes included with a standard DAZN subscription. DAZN starts at CA$24.99/month.
Those traveling outside Canada can still access their NFL streams using NordVPN.
How to watch NFL live streams in Australia
At least three NFL games are free-to-air in Australia each week, courtesy of 7Mate and the 7Plus streaming service. Every postseason game will also be shown on the free network.
At least five live games per week, including every TNF, SNF and MNF, will be shown on ESPN via Foxtel.
Don't have Foxtel and don't want to subscribe? The game will also be shown on Kayo Sports, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just AU$30/month, and hosting plenty of NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 and loads of other live sports besides.
There's also a 7-day FREE trial for anybody who hasn't used the service before.
Another option is NFL Game Pass on DAZN, which live streams every single game, plus RedZone. NFL Game Pass starts at $32.99/month.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your account as if you were back home.
NFL schedule 25/26 (Week 1)
Thursday, September 4
8:20 p.m. — Cowboys vs Eagles (NBC, Peacock)
Friday, September 5
8:00 p.m. — Chiefs vs Chargers (YouTube)
Sunday, September 7
1:00 p.m. — Dolphins vs Colts (CBS, Paramount Plus)
1:00 p.m. — Raiders vs Patriots (CBS, Paramount Plus)
1:00 p.m. — Cardinals vs Saints (CBS, Paramount Plus)
1:00 p.m. — Steelers vs Jets (CBS, Paramount Plus)
1:00 p.m. — Buccaneers vs Falcons (FOX, FOX One)
1:00 p.m. — Bengals vs Browns (FOX, FOX One)
1:00 p.m. — Panthers vs Jaguars (FOX, FOX One)
1:00 p.m. — Giants vs Commanders (FOX, FOX One)
4:05 p.m. — Titans vs Broncos (FOX, FOX One)
4:05 p.m. — 49ers vs Seahawks (FOX, FOX One)
4:25 p.m. — Lions vs Packers (CBS, Paramount Plus)
4:25 p.m. — Texans vs Rams (CBS, Paramount Plus)
8:20 p.m. — Ravens vs Bills (NBC, Peacock)
Monday, September 8
8:15 p.m. — Vikings vs Bears (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Unlimited)
(All times ET)
Tom's Guide NFL 2025 video explainer
We've put together a 5-minute video explaining how to watch NFL 2025 – and the best streaming options for cordcutters. Plus, we look at the teams eying a Super Bowl berth...
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