RAPID CITY, S.D. — Remember when watching the NFL was easy?

CBS or FOX on Sunday afternoon. NBC on Sunday night. ESPN on Monday. Done.

In 2026, finding your favorite team can sometimes be more difficult than following the game itself. NFL games are now spread across traditional networks and streaming services including CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock.

Then there is NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL+, Paramount+, FOX One and ESPN’s streaming options.

So what do football fans actually need?

Here is the simplified guide.

Sunday afternoons: CBS, FOX and Sunday Ticket

Most Sunday afternoon NFL games are still broadcast on CBS and FOX. Which games you receive depends on your local television market.

For Rapid City-area viewers, that means local CBS and FOX affiliates remain important. Depending on reception, an over-the-air antenna can still provide a large amount of NFL football without another monthly subscription.

Paramount+ provides access to NFL games airing on a subscriber’s local CBS station, while FOX One provides access to FOX programming.

The confusion often begins with NFL Sunday Ticket.

Sunday Ticket does not give subscribers every NFL game. It provides out-of-market Sunday afternoon games that aren’t being shown on their local CBS or FOX station.

For example, if your favorite team’s Sunday afternoon game isn’t being shown locally, Sunday Ticket can provide access. But if that game is already on your local CBS or FOX station, you’ll watch the local broadcast instead.

Sunday Ticket also doesn’t include Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football or streaming-exclusive games.

Sunday Ticket is available through YouTube and can be purchased without subscribing to YouTube TV.

Primetime football

Most Thursday Night Football games are available through Amazon’s Prime Video.

Sunday Night Football remains on NBC and Peacock, while Monday Night Football primarily airs through ESPN and ABC.

Cord-cutters can also subscribe directly to ESPN’s streaming service, giving fans another way to access ESPN’s NFL coverage without a traditional cable package.

And ESPN will be especially important at the end of the season: Super Bowl LXI will air on ABC and ESPN on Feb. 14, 2027.

Netflix is part of the NFL now, too

Yes, Netflix is now on the football checklist.

Netflix has five NFL games during the 2026 regular season, including two games on Christmas Day.

That’s an important reminder that even an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription doesn’t guarantee access to every game.

NFL Network also carries exclusive games, including international and late-season Saturday matchups.

What about NFL+?

NFL+ is another option, but it shouldn’t be confused with Sunday Ticket.

NFL+ provides live local and primetime games on phones and tablets, NFL Network, live out-of-market preseason games and radio broadcasts.

NFL+ Premium adds NFL RedZone, full and condensed game replays and All-22 coaches film.

For hardcore fans, that’s useful. But NFL+ isn’t a replacement for Sunday Ticket if your goal is watching out-of-market Sunday games on your television.

So what do you actually need?

For a casual NFL fan, local CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC broadcasts still provide plenty of football. An antenna may be one of the cheapest ways to watch games.

For someone who wants to follow an out-of-market team every Sunday, Sunday Ticket is the major addition. Just remember that when your team plays Thursday, Sunday night, Monday night or in an exclusive streaming game, you’ll need the service carrying that particular broadcast.

For the fan who wants access to virtually every NFL game, there unfortunately isn’t one subscription that does everything.

A live-TV package carrying local networks, ESPN and NFL Network — combined with Sunday Ticket, Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock — provides one of the most complete setups.

The easiest way to remember it is this:

  • Sunday afternoon: CBS/FOX locally; Sunday Ticket out of market.
  • Sunday night: NBC/Peacock.
  • Monday night: ESPN/ABC.
  • Thursday night: Usually Prime Video.
  • Special games: Check Netflix, NFL Network and the announced network or streaming service.
  • Super Bowl LXI: ABC/ESPN.

Perhaps the best advice before adding another subscription is simply to check your favorite team’s schedule.

A Vikings fan in Rapid City may need a different combination than a Broncos, Chiefs or Cowboys fan because local CBS and FOX selections determine which Sunday games are already available.

The NFL also offers a “Ways to Watch” tool that allows fans to enter their ZIP code and see viewing options.

Because in 2026, knowing when your team plays is only half the battle.