In the Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary year, untangling the byzantine NFL live stream web doesn’t get any easier. With games going out on a variety of networks and streaming services, it’s time once again to tackle the annual challenge of picking a subscription that gets you the most football possible.
Thankfully, Sling TV delivers a low-cost mix of coverage and affordability that could put a smile on even Bill Belichick’s face, providing cord cutters with access to games being broadcast by the likes of ESPN, Fox, NBC and NFL Network.
Read on as we explain how to watch NFL live on Sling TV without cable and from anywhere.
How to watch NFL live on Sling TV in the U.S.
One of the best cable TV alternatives, Sling TV is also one of the most affordable options for cord cutters.
For Sunday football, you’ll want either its Sling Select or Sling Blue plans.
Sling Select may be its most affordable plan — costing a mere $19.99/month — but NFL fans in select regions get to watch local NBC and Fox channels (see if your city is covered here). Sling Select also includes the NFL Network, which you’ll need for International Series games.
Sling Blue includes all of those NFL-toting networks and more. In fact, for $50.99/month you get access to more than 40 channels in total.
Monday night games go out on ESPN, which means you can watch them with a Sling Orange plan. A rolling monthly subscription to Sling Orange costs $45.99/month, or you can just dip your toe in with a Day ($4.99), Weekend ($9.99) or Week ($14.99) Pass. Orange will also cover you for games on ABC, as they will be simulcast on ESPN3 that’s also available in the channel line-up.
Want all that football through Sling TV? Then you’ll need a $65.99/month Sling Orange + Blue plan.
How to watch NFL live on Sling TV live from overseas
Although Sling TV is only available to watch in the U.S., football fans finding themselves overseas when a game is on can still stream them with the aid of one of the best VPNs.
The software sets your devices to appear as if they’re back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So, it’s ideal for sports and TV fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It’s the best on the market:
Why should you use a VPN to watch Sling TV?
We’ve already described why Sling TV is such a great quarterback for handling your NFL watching when you’re in the United States, but go to watch the service from overseas and you’ll soon discover that coverage is blocked.
Not only do VPNs allow you to spoof the IP address on your laptop, mobile, tablet or streaming device so that you can watch Sling TV anywhere in the world, but they also encrypt and anonymize your browsing data. That helps keep it private not only from cybercriminal and government snooping, but from your internet service provider, too.
What else is on Sling TV?
No matter what Sling TV plan you choose, you’ll get access to more than 30 premium channels.
Alongside ESPN (plus ESPN2 and ESPN3), a Sling Orange subscription unlocks the likes of TNT, TBS, Food Network, History, AMC and Comedy Central. You can find the full list here.
Sling Blue places those local Fox and NBC channels in a line-up that also includes NFL Network, USA Network, FS1, CNN, TBS, TLC, Bravo, FX, National Geographic and E! Click here for the full list.
Outside its base plans, Sling also lets you pay extra for add-ons. For example, there’s Sports Extra (incl. RedZone, B1G Network, NBA TV, Golf Channel, Tennis Channel, MLB TV, NHL TV), Entertainment Extra (incl. MTV, Paramount Network, fetv, TV Land) and Lifestyle Extra (incl. TBS, Food Network, HGTV, Hallmark).
What devices are supported by Sling TV?
Phones & Computers
Amazon Fire tablets
Android
Chrome
iOS
Safari
TVs & Players
AirTV
Amazon Echo Show
Android TV/Google TV
Apple TV
Chromecast
Cox
Google Nest
LG Smart TVs
Roku
Samsung Smart TVs
TiVo Stream
Vizio
Xfinity
Gaming consoles
Xbox Series X/S
More from Tom’s Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.