Yes, you absolutely can watch football on Sling TV! Sling TV offers a flexible and affordable way to catch your favorite NFL games, college football matchups, and other gridiron action. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the NFL or enjoy the excitement of college football, Sling TV provides various channels and packages that cater to your needs. This guide will help you navigate the world of Sling TV sports, ensuring you don’t miss a single touchdown.
Sling TV is a popular live TV streaming service that provides access to a wide array of entertainment and sports channels. Unlike traditional cable, Sling TV is delivered over the internet, offering a more customizable and often more budget-friendly experience. The core appeal of Sling TV lies in its à la carte approach to channel packages, allowing subscribers to pick and choose the content they want. This flexibility is particularly attractive for sports fans who might only be interested in specific leagues or sports.
When it comes to football, Sling TV has you covered for the NFL, college football, and even some international leagues. The service provides access to the major networks that broadcast these games, along with dedicated sports channels. Figuring out which Sling TV plans for football are right for you is key to enjoying uninterrupted game days. Let’s dive into the details of how you can watch football on Sling.
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Fathoming Sling TV NFL Access
For many, the NFL is the pinnacle of football season. Sling TV offers a solid pathway to watch Sling TV NFL games, primarily through its access to the networks that broadcast the league. The primary question on many minds is: Can I watch football Sling services? The answer is a resounding yes. Here’s how you can tune into the action:
Key Channels for Sling TV NFL
The availability of NFL games on Sling TV hinges on the channels included in its various packages. Here are the essential Sling TV football channels you’ll need:
- FOX: Broadcasts NFC games on Sundays.
- CBS: Broadcasts AFC games on Sundays.
- NBC: Broadcasts Sunday Night Football.
- ESPN: Carries Monday Night Football (a portion of the season) and significant college football games.
- NFL Network: Offers a variety of NFL content, including live games (preseason, international, and sometimes regular season depending on carriage deals) and extensive analysis.
- ABC: While less frequent for NFL, it can carry special events and some college football.
Sling TV Plans for Football
Sling TV offers two base packages: Sling Orange and Sling Blue. These can be purchased separately or combined into Sling Orange + Blue for more comprehensive channel access.
Sling Orange
Sling Orange is often the starting point for many sports fans. It typically includes:
- ESPN: Crucial for Monday Night Football and a vast amount of college football.
- ESPN2: More college football and other sports programming.
- TNT: Home to some basketball and other sports, but less critical for NFL.
- CNN, HGTV, Food Network: Lifestyle and news channels.
Why Sling Orange is important for football: The inclusion of ESPN is the primary draw here for football fans, especially those who follow college football or the Monday Night Football slate.
Sling Blue
Sling Blue is generally considered the more robust option for NFL fans, as it includes several key broadcast networks. It typically includes:
- FOX (in select markets): Essential for Sunday NFC games.
- NBC (in select markets): Essential for Sunday Night Football.
- NFL Network: Direct access to NFL content.
- FS1 (Fox Sports 1): Carries a variety of college football and some NFL-related shows.
- Discovery Channel, History Channel, A&E: Other popular channels.
Why Sling Blue is important for football: Access to FOX and NBC in your local market is vital for watching the majority of the NFL schedule. The inclusion of NFL Network is also a significant benefit.
Sling Orange + Blue
For the most comprehensive football viewing experience on Sling TV, combining Sling Orange and Sling Blue is the way to go. This package provides access to all the channels in both base plans, giving you the best chance to watch football Sling offers.
Sling TV Sports Packages
Beyond the base plans, Sling TV offers add-on packages that can enhance your sports viewing. The most relevant for football fans is the Sling TV sports packages.
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Sports Extra: This popular add-on is a must-consider for serious sports fans. It typically includes channels like:
- NFL RedZone: This channel is the holy grail for fantasy football players and fans who want to see every touchdown from around the league on Sundays. It’s usually available as part of the Sling TV Sports Extra package.
- Big Ten Network: Essential for following Big Ten college football.
- SEC Network: Crucial for fans of the Southeastern Conference in college football.
- ACC Network: For fans of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Pac-12 Networks: For West Coast college football enthusiasts.
- ESPNU: Another channel dedicated to college sports.
- NBA TV, NHL Network, MLB Network: For fans of other sports.
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International Sports: While less relevant for mainstream NFL and college football, Sling TV may offer international sports packages for those interested in global football leagues.
Fathoming Sling TV Streaming NFL
Sling TV streaming NFL games is a smooth experience, provided you have the right package. The service is designed to be user-friendly, allowing you to easily navigate to your desired channels and games.
How to Watch Sling TV Sunday Ticket on Sling TV
This is a crucial point for many NFL fans, particularly those who want to catch out-of-market games. Historically, DirecTV held exclusive rights to the Sling TV Sunday Ticket, which allowed subscribers to watch any NFL game played on Sunday afternoon, regardless of their local market.
However, as of the 2023 NFL season, YouTube TV has become the exclusive provider of NFL Sunday Ticket. This means that Sling TV Sunday Ticket is no longer available through Sling TV.
If your primary goal is to watch out-of-market Sunday afternoon NFL games, you will need to subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV or find an alternative streaming solution that offers it.
Watching Sling TV Monday Night Football
Sling TV Monday Night Football is generally available through Sling Orange due to its inclusion of ESPN. ESPN broadcasts a significant portion of the Monday Night Football schedule. You’ll need Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue to catch these games.
Watching Sling TV Thursday Night Football
The broadcasting rights for Sling TV Thursday Night Football can be a bit more spread out. Historically, Thursday Night Football has aired on:
- NFL Network: Available with Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue.
- FOX: Available with Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue (in select markets).
- Amazon Prime Video: This is a significant shift. Amazon Prime Video has become the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football starting with the 2022 season. This means that while Sling TV can provide access to other NFL games, Thursday Night Football is now primarily a Prime Video exclusive. You will need a separate Amazon Prime subscription to watch these games live.
Important Note: Always check the current season’s broadcasting schedule, as rights can change. While Sling TV provides access to the primary networks for NFL games, specific matchups might shift.
Fathoming Sling TV College Football
For college football enthusiasts, Sling TV is an excellent option. Sling TV college football coverage is robust, especially with the Sports Extra add-on.
- ESPN & ESPN2: These channels are fundamental for college football, broadcasting many of the most popular matchups, including conference championship games and bowl games. Sling Orange and Sling Orange + Blue provide access.
- Regional Sports Networks: Many college football games, particularly those involving Power Five conferences, are broadcast on RSNs. The availability of these RSNs on Sling TV can vary by market and package. For instance, if you’re a fan of the Big Ten, having the Big Ten Network (often in Sports Extra) is crucial. Similarly, SEC Network and ACC Network are vital for fans of those conferences.
- FS1 and FS2: These channels, often included in Sling Blue or Sports Extra, broadcast a good number of college football games throughout the season.
How Sports Extra Elevates College Football Viewing:
The Sports Extra add-on is where Sling TV college football truly shines. By adding this package, you gain access to:
- Big Ten Network: Essential for Big Ten conference games.
- SEC Network: A must-have for SEC football fans.
- ACC Network: Crucial for ACC conference games.
- Pac-12 Networks: For West Coast college football.
- ESPNU: Additional college football content.
Without Sports Extra, your college football viewing will be limited to the games broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and potentially FS1.
Comparing Sling TV Plans for Football Fans
To help you decide, let’s break down the typical offerings and what they mean for watching football:
| Package | Key Football Channels Included | Primary Football Focus | Price (Estimated, subject to change) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sling Orange | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 | Monday Night Football, College Football, ESPN analysis | ~$40/month |
| Sling Blue | FOX (select markets), NBC (select markets), NFL Network, FS1, FS2 | Sunday NFL Games (local), NFL Network content, College Football | ~$40/month |
| Sling Orange + Blue | All channels from Orange and Blue | Comprehensive NFL & College Football coverage | ~$55/month |
| Sports Extra (Add-on) | NFL RedZone, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, ACC Network, Pac-12 Networks, ESPNU, etc. | Deeper College Football, Out-of-market NFL (RedZone) | ~$11/month |
Note: Market-dependent channels (FOX, NBC) mean you should verify Sling TV’s local channel availability for your specific ZIP code on their website.
Who is Sling TV Best For?
- Budget-Conscious Fans: Sling TV is often more affordable than cable or other live TV streaming services, especially if you only need a few key channels.
- Fans Who Know What They Want: If you’re primarily interested in specific leagues or types of football (e.g., college football on ESPN), you can tailor your package accordingly.
- Fans Willing to Add Packages: To get the most comprehensive NFL and college football experience, you’ll likely need to combine base packages and add Sports Extra.
Who Might Need Alternatives?
- NFL Sunday Ticket Seekers: As mentioned, if out-of-market Sunday games are your priority, you’ll need YouTube TV.
- Fans Needing Every Single Game: While Sling TV offers broad coverage, some obscure college games or niche international leagues might be on channels not carried by Sling.
- Those Prioritizing Amazon TNF: Since Thursday Night Football is on Amazon Prime Video, a separate subscription is required, which is not bundled with Sling TV.
Setting Up and Using Sling TV for Football
Once you’ve chosen your Sling TV plans for football, setting up is straightforward.
- Visit the Sling TV Website: Go to SlingTV.com.
- Choose Your Plan: Select Sling Orange, Sling Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
- Add Extras: Consider adding the Sports Extra package for the best football experience.
- Sign Up: Create an account and enter your payment information.
- Download the App: Sling TV is available on a wide range of devices, including:
- Smart TVs (Roku TV, Samsung, LG, Vizio, etc.)
- Streaming Devices (Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV)
- Mobile Devices (iOS, Android)
- Computers (Windows, macOS)
- Start Watching: Log in to the app on your chosen device and navigate to your favorite football channels.
Tips for the Best Sling TV Football Experience:
- Internet Speed: Ensure you have a stable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth (Sling TV recommends at least 3 Mbps for streaming on one device).
- Device Compatibility: Check if your streaming device is compatible with Sling TV.
- Local Channel Verification: Double-check that Sling TV carries your local FOX and NBC affiliates if you’re relying on Sling Blue for Sunday NFL games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I watch NFL Sunday Ticket on Sling TV?
A1: No, as of the 2023 NFL season, NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusively available through YouTube TV. Sling TV does not offer it.
Q2: Does Sling TV have NFL Network?
A2: Yes, NFL Network is typically included in the Sling Blue package and therefore also in Sling Orange + Blue.
Q3: How can I watch Monday Night Football on Sling TV?
A3: Monday Night Football is broadcast on ESPN. You can watch it on Sling TV with the Sling Orange or Sling Orange + Blue package.
Q4: Does Sling TV carry Thursday Night Football?
A4: Historically, Sling TV could carry Thursday Night Football through NFL Network or FOX. However, starting with the 2022 season, Thursday Night Football is primarily exclusive to Amazon Prime Video. You will need a separate Amazon Prime subscription for these games.
Q5: What are the best Sling TV plans for college football?
A5: For comprehensive college football coverage, the Sling Orange + Blue package is recommended, combined with the Sports Extra add-on. This gives you ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and crucial conference networks like the Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and ACC Network.
Q6: Does Sling TV offer NFL RedZone?
A6: Yes, NFL RedZone is typically available as part of the Sports Extra add-on for Sling TV subscribers.
Q7: Is Sling TV available in my area?
A7: Sling TV is available nationwide in the United States. However, the availability of local broadcast channels (FOX, NBC, ABC) depends on your specific location. You can check local channel availability on the Sling TV website by entering your ZIP code.
Q8: Can I watch games on my phone with Sling TV?
A8: Yes, Sling TV offers apps for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to stream live TV, including football games, on your smartphone or tablet.
Q9: Does Sling TV include the Big Ten Network?
A9: The Big Ten Network is not included in the base Sling TV packages. It is available as part of the Sports Extra add-on.
Q10: How do I get the most football channels on Sling TV?
A10: To maximize your football channel access, you should subscribe to Sling Orange + Blue and add the Sports Extra package. This combination provides the broadest range of NFL and college football content available through Sling TV.