In a major shakeup, Comcast subscribers just took a hit if football is a big part of their TV lineup. After a contract breakdown tied to broader disputes involving ESPN, Comcast Xfinity customers have officially lost access to NFL Network. The fallout is another sign of how fragile traditional cable bundles have become, leaving fans scrambling ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The action on the field returns during the Hall of Fame game, but the NFL Network is important for any football fan’s streaming lineup, especially with preseason games, Thursday night matchups, and year-round coverage tied to the channel.
The good news for subscribers is that you don’t need Comcast to get NFL Network. Several live TV streaming services, plus a few direct-to-consumer options, still carry it, often with more flexibility, better DVR, and fewer long-term commitments. Plus, you can stream on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, and other compatible devices.
Here’s a closer look at the best options.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV has quietly become one of the strongest cable replacements for sports fans, and its MySports pack is clearly built with NFL viewers in mind. It’s designed to strip away filler channels and focus on what actually matters for live sports.
- Price: Starts at $44.99/month (first 2 months), then $64.99/month
- NFL Network: Included
- DVR: Unlimited cloud DVR
- Key channels: ESPN (Unlimited), FS1, TNT, TBS, local broadcast networks ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, CW (in select markets)
- Extras: NFL RedZone available via add-on
- Free trial: 5 days
DIRECTV leans into a more “premium-lite” experience. You’re getting a streamlined sports bundle that still feels like cable but without the long-term contracts or equipment headaches. You can also lock in more traditional packages with a full lineup of channels starting at $84.99.
For football fans who want a clean, reliable lineup with strong DVR and minimal fluff, this is one of the most complete options available right now.
Fubo
Fubo has built its reputation as a sports-first streaming service, and it shows. If your goal is to replicate, or even improve on, a Comcast sports package, Fubo checks a lot of boxes.
- Price: Starts at $73.99/month (First month $48.99)
- NFL Network: Included
- DVR: Unlimited Cloud DVR (up to 9 months storage)
- Key channels: CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN (Unlimited access), FS1 (FOX One access)
- Extras: NFL RedZone included in select plans or add-ons
- Promos: 5-day free trial and Frequent discounts (like $20–$30 off first month)
If you’re looking for a service with a lot of sports depth, Fubo stands out. You’re not just getting NFL Network, you’re getting nearly every major broadcast channel needed for Sunday games, plus strong regional coverage in many areas. Fubo doesn’t carry NBC, but you can stream those games on Peacock. Fubo’s appealing if you want local and international sports in one place without juggling multiple apps during the season.
Sling TV
If Comcast just priced you out, Sling TV is the easiest way to stay in the game without overspending. It offers the lowest-cost path to NFL Network, but with a few trade-offs.
- Price:
- Sling Select: $19.99/month
- Sling Orange + Blue: $60.99/month
- NFL Network: Included (Sling Select, Sling Blue)
- DVR: 50 hours free (upgrade to unlimited for $5/month)
- Key channels: ESPN (Orange), ABC/FOX/NBC (select markets), FS1
- Extras: NFL RedZone via Sports Extra add-on
Sling’s biggest caveat is local channel availability. Depending on where you live, you may need an antenna to fully cover Sunday games. CBS isn’t included on the platform, but you can stream those games on Paramount+. That said, if your goal is to keep NFL Network and supplement the rest cheaply, Sling is one of the smartest budget plays out there.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is the “everything bundle” of the group. It’s not the cheapest, but it delivers a massive amount of value, especially if your household already uses streaming apps.
- Price: $89.99/month
- NFL Network: Included
- DVR: Unlimited DVR
- Key channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, FS1
- Extras:
- Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited included
- Sports add-on ($9.99/month) includes NFL RedZone
- Trial: 3 Days
The streamer stands out because you’re getting more than just a live TV service. You’re getting Hulu’s on-demand library, plus Disney+ and the ESPN app, all bundled together. If you’re replacing Comcast entirely and not just for football, Hulu + Live TV is one of the most well-rounded options available.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV continues to be one of the most popular cable replacements for a reason. It combines a deep channel lineup with one of the best user experiences in streaming.
- Price:
- NFL Network: Included
- DVR: Unlimited DVR
- Key channels: CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, FS1
- Extras: NFL RedZone via Sports Plus add-on, exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket
- Features: Multiview, 3 simultaneous streams, 6 user profiles
- Trial: Up to 21 days
Where YouTube TV really shines is usability. Features like multiview let you watch multiple games at once, something traditional cable still struggles to match. For fans who like to flip between games (or watch several at once), this is arguably the best experience on the market.
ESPN App (with NFL+ bundle)
The ESPN app isn’t a full cable replacement, but it’s becoming a more interesting piece of the puzzle, especially with new bundle options.
- Price:
- ESPN + NFL+ Premium bundle: $39.99/month
- The Disney Bundle with NFL+ Premium: $45.99/month
- NFL Network: Included via NFL+ Premium bundle
- DVR: No traditional DVR (on-demand replays included)
- Key content: NFL RedZone, replays, ESPN live sports
ESPN Unlimited works best as a supplement rather than a standalone solution. You won’t get full live TV coverage like you would with YouTube TV, DIRECTV, or other services on this list. But if you’re already deep in the ESPN ecosystem, bundling NFL+ Premium gives you access to NFL Network and RedZone in a more flexible way. The Disney Bundle with NFL+ Premium features ESPN Unlimited, NFL+ Premium, and the on-demand catalogs of Hulu and Disney+.
NFL+
NFL+ is the most direct and cheapest way to get NFL Network, but it comes with limitations that matter.
- Price:
- NFL+: $6.99/month or $49.99/year
- NFL+ Premium: $14.99/month or $99.99/season
- NFL Network: Included
- DVR: No traditional DVR (replays available)
- Key features:
- Live local & primetime games (mobile/tablet only)
- NFL RedZone (Premium tier)
- Full game replays, condensed games, All-22
The biggest catch is that live games are primarily limited to mobile devices. That makes it less ideal as a living room replacement for Comcast. Still, if you just want NFL Network and extra content at the lowest price possible, it’s hard to beat.
Bottom Line
Comcast losing NFL Network is frustrating, but it also highlights a bigger shift: you no longer need cable to follow the NFL.
If anything, this shakeup might push more fans to finally cut the cord, and in most cases, they’ll end up with more flexibility, better features, and a setup that actually fits how they watch football today.
