YouTube TV Sunday Ticket pricing and what you get

YouTube TV Sunday Ticket is an add-on package that lets you watch out-of-market NFL games on Sundays. As of 2024, it costs $349 for the full season if you pay upfront, or $39 per month during the season if you pay monthly. YouTube TV itself costs $72.99 per month separately, so Sunday Ticket is an additional charge on top of that base subscription.

The package includes all out-of-market games broadcast on CBS and Fox during the regular season — roughly 13 to 14 games per Sunday depending on the week. It does not include primetime games (Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, or Monday Night Football), which come with your regular YouTube TV subscription. If you live in the market of a team playing that Sunday, you cannot watch that game through Sunday Ticket even if you have it; local blackout rules explore.

YouTube TV also offers a Sunday Ticket U plan for college students at $99 for the full season, which has the same game access but costs less. To use it, you need a valid .edu email address or a student verification through a third-party service.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV Sunday Ticket costs $349 upfront or $39 per month and covers out-of-market NFL games on Sundays only.
  • You must already have a YouTube TV subscription ($72.99 per month) to add Sunday Ticket; it is not sold separately.
  • The package does not include Thursday, Sunday, or Monday night primetime games, which are part of your base YouTube TV service.
  • Local blackout rules mean you cannot watch games involving your home team's market, even with Sunday Ticket active.
  • College students can get Sunday Ticket U for $99 per season if they verify their student status with a valid .edu email.

What games are actually included

Sunday Ticket shows the games that would normally air on CBS and Fox in other parts of the country — the ones your local broadcast does not carry. On any given Sunday during the NFL regular season, there are usually 10 to 14 games played. Your local CBS or Fox affiliate shows one or two of them depending on your region and which conference is playing. Sunday Ticket fills in the rest.

The package does not include games on Thursday night (Amazon Prime Video), Sunday night (NBC), or Monday night (ESPN). Those are part of your regular YouTube TV subscription at no extra cost. It also does not include playoff games, the Super Bowl, or preseason games. If you want to watch those, they are broadcast on their regular networks — CBS, Fox, NBC, or ESPN — which come with YouTube TV.

Blackout rules prevent you from watching a game if you live in that team's home market, even if the game is not being broadcast locally. This is a league rule, not a YouTube TV rule. If you live in New York and the Giants are playing, you cannot watch that game through Sunday Ticket, but you can watch it on your local CBS or Fox broadcast.

How the pricing breaks down month to month

The $39 monthly option runs only during the NFL regular season, which typically starts in September and ends in early January. You are charged $39 for each month you keep the add-on active. If you cancel in November, you stop paying in December. If you want it back in December, you pay again that month.

The $349 upfront option covers the entire season in one payment and works out to roughly $26 to $28 per month depending on how many months the season spans. Most people who know they want the full season choose upfront pricing to save money. If you are unsure whether you will use it all season, the monthly option lets you cancel without losing money on unused months.

YouTube TV occasionally runs promotions — discounts on the first month, free trials, or bundled pricing with other services. These change throughout the year, so check YouTube TV's website directly for current offers. Prices and promotions vary by region and change without notice.

How to add Sunday Ticket to your YouTube TV account

If you already have YouTube TV, you can add Sunday Ticket through your account settings. Open the YouTube TV app or website, go to Settings, select Memberships, and look for the Sunday Ticket add-on. You can choose monthly or annual pricing there and complete the purchase. The add-on becomes active when ready, and you can start watching games the next Sunday.

If you do not have YouTube TV yet, you need to sign up for the base service first. You cannot buy Sunday Ticket alone. Once your YouTube TV subscription is active, you can add Sunday Ticket the same way. YouTube TV offers a trial period for new subscribers (the length varies), so you could try the base service before committing to Sunday Ticket.

You can cancel Sunday Ticket at any time without affecting your YouTube TV subscription. If you cancel the monthly plan, your access ends at the end of that billing cycle. If you paid upfront, cancellation is not available — you keep access through the end of the season you paid for.

Comparing Sunday Ticket to other ways to watch NFL games

Sunday Ticket is one option, but not the only way to watch out-of-market games. NFL+ is a separate subscription from the NFL itself that costs $7 per month or $80 per year. It includes out-of-market games on your phone or tablet (not on a TV), plus some exclusive content. It does not include primetime games. If you want to watch on a big screen, NFL+ does not work for you.

Cable and satellite providers like Comcast, AT&T, and Dish Network also sell Sunday Ticket directly. The pricing is similar to YouTube TV's ($349 or monthly), but you need to be a subscriber to their base TV service to add it. Some providers bundle it differently or offer different trial periods, so costs vary.

If you only care about one team, local sports bars and restaurants often show all games, including out-of-market ones. That is free if you buy food or a drink, but you have no control over which game plays or the viewing experience.

What happens if you cancel YouTube TV but want to keep Sunday Ticket

You cannot keep Sunday Ticket without an active YouTube TV subscription. Sunday Ticket is an add-on to YouTube TV, not a standalone product. If you cancel YouTube TV, Sunday Ticket cancels automatically, and you lose access to the games when ready.

If you want to watch NFL games after canceling YouTube TV, you would need to switch to a different service. NFL+ works on phones and tablets. Cable or satellite providers offer Sunday Ticket as an add-on to their TV service. The NFL also broadcasts some games free on broadcast networks (CBS, Fox, NBC) that you can watch with an antenna.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch Sunday Ticket on my phone or tablet?

Yes. The YouTube TV app works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can watch Sunday Ticket games anywhere you have internet. You can also cast to a TV using Chromecast or AirPlay if your TV supports it.

Do I need YouTube TV to watch the Super Bowl?

No. The Super Bowl is broadcast on CBS, Fox, or NBC depending on the year, and it is free with an antenna or included in any YouTube TV subscription. Sunday Ticket does not cover the Super Bowl, and you do not need it to watch.

What if my internet cuts out during a game?

You lose the stream. YouTube TV does not offer refunds for outages or technical issues. If you have a poor internet connection, you may experience buffering or dropped streams. YouTube TV recommends at least 3 Mbps for standard definition and 7 Mbps for HD.

Can I share my YouTube TV login with family in another state?

YouTube TV allows multiple people to watch simultaneously on different devices, but the account holder must live in the home where it is used. Sharing login credentials with people in other households violates YouTube TV's terms of service. YouTube TV can detect and block accounts used outside the home network.

Is there a way to watch Sunday Ticket without paying every month?

The upfront $349 annual payment is the cheapest option if you want the full season. Some promotions offer discounts on the first month or free trials, but these change throughout the year. Checking YouTube TV's website before the season starts may reveal current offers.