NFL Sunday Ticket is a premium sports package that allows viewers to watch every out-of-market NFL game live on Sundays during the regular season. It has traditionally only been available to DIRECTV satellite subscribers as part of an exclusive deal between the NFL and DIRECTV. However, starting in the 2023 NFL season, the NFL Sunday Ticket package will be available to stream without a DIRECTV satellite subscription.
Ways to get NFL Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV
Here are the ways football fans can access NFL Sunday Ticket without a DIRECTV satellite subscription:
- Streaming via the NFL Sunday Ticket app – Starting in 2023, the NFL will be making Sunday Ticket available as a streaming package that does not require a DIRECTV subscription. Details are still emerging, but it will likely be available on a standalone basis through the NFL Sunday Ticket app for connected TV devices, mobile devices, and web browsers.
- Streaming TV services – The NFL has announced partnerships with YouTube TV and Apple TV to distribute Sunday Ticket to their streaming subscribers beginning in 2023. This will allow YouTube TV and Apple TV+ subscribers to add Sunday Ticket as a premium add-on.
- DirecTV Stream (formerly AT&T TV) – While DirecTV Stream is not technically the same as the DIRECTV satellite service, it is owned by DIRECTV parent company AT&T and has rights to distribute Sunday Ticket. So DirecTV Stream subscribers can get Sunday Ticket by adding it to their base package.
- University subscriptions – For viewers with a valid .edu email address, the NFL offers special discounted Sunday Ticket streaming to students through NFLSundayTicket.tv. This allows college students to stream Sunday Ticket without any DIRECTV requirement.
- Sports bars/businesses – Commercial establishments like bars and restaurants can sign up for a special Sunday Ticket package for their business TVs through NFLSundayTicket.tv. This allows the public to view Sunday Ticket games at sports bars without needing DIRECTV.
What you get with NFL Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV
The core Sunday Ticket package without DIRECTV provides:
- Live streams of all out-of-market Sunday afternoon NFL games (1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern)
- Streaming on connected devices through the NFL Sunday Ticket app and website
- Alternate game feeds and RedZone channel
- Condensed 30-minute game replays
One key difference is that DIRECTV customers get exclusive access to the NFL Sunday Ticket Max package, which offers enhanced features like:
- Director’s Cut – All 22 camera angle for coaching perspective
- Fantasy Zone channel – Customizable channel focused on fantasy league players
- Short Cuts – Condensed 5-7 minute game highlights
So the standard Sunday Ticket package without DIRECTV provides the core live game streaming, while DIRECTV subscribers get access to some premium extras.
What devices can I use?
NFL Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV will be available on a wide range of streaming devices:
- Smart TVs – Apps for Samsung, LG, Sony Android TVs
- Streaming boxes – Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast
- Game consoles – Xbox One, PS4
- Mobile devices – iOS and Android phones and tablets
- Computers – Via web browser streaming on SundayTicket.TV
As long as you have an internet-connected device and valid Sunday Ticket streaming subscription, you’ll be able to watch games through the NFL Sunday Ticket app or website.
How much does streaming Sunday Ticket cost?
Pricing for the streaming version of NFL Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV has not yet been officially announced. But based on previous pricing models, we can expect:
- Around $300 for the full season of Sunday Ticket
- $100-$200 for single team packages
- Discounted rates for students and businesses
The full price for the DIRECTV satellite version has typically been around $300-350 for the complete Sunday Ticket Max package. The streaming version will likely be in line with that pricing, or potentially cheaper since it lacks some of the DIRECTV extras.
Key considerations
Here are some things to keep in mind about getting Sunday Ticket without DIRECTV:
- Local blackouts still apply – If a game is airing locally in your market, it will be blacked out from Sunday Ticket per NFL rules. You’ll need to watch on local TV.
- No more DIRECTV discounts – Some DIRECTV customers were able to get Sunday Ticket included free or at a discount. Those promos will likely not apply to streaming-only packages.
- Requires solid internet – You’ll need a fast, reliable internet connection to stream in HD without buffering issues.
The future of Sunday Ticket
After the 2022 NFL season, DIRECTV’s exclusive deal to carry Sunday Ticket will end. This paved the way for the NFL to market Sunday Ticket non-exclusively to other streaming outlets like Apple TV and YouTube TV starting in 2023. However, DIRECTV will still have rights to distribute Sunday Ticket as well.
The NFL is optimistic these new streaming options will help expand the Sunday Ticket subscriber base. However, some of the technical details like device support, streaming quality, and impact on mobile data caps will need to be worked out.
Offering Sunday Ticket direct to consumers without any paid TV subscription requirement opens up the potential market significantly. Reports indicate the NFL is aiming to grow Sunday Ticket subscribers from around 2 million currently to between 12-15 million in the next couple seasons. But to attract cord-cutters, the pricing and user experience for the streaming version will need to be appealing.
Long-term, the NFL is expected to move towards an exclusive Sunday Ticket streaming deal once the DIRECTV contract ends. Major tech and media companies like Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Google are all expected to compete aggressively for those rights down the road.
Conclusion
For the 2023 NFL season, football fans will have the ability to subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket without needing a DIRECTV satellite TV subscription. Streaming options are opening up through digital platforms like the NFL Sunday Ticket app, YouTube TV, Apple TV, and others. While specific details are still limited until official announcements, expect pricing to be in line with the current $300 full season Sunday Ticket package from DIRECTV. The move to direct-to-consumer streaming without TV provider bundles will help broaden access to NFL Sunday Ticket for cord-cutters and lighten restrictions, but availability limitations around local blackouts will still apply.
Overall, more streaming options for NFL Sunday Ticket give fans greater flexibility. Those looking to cut the cord from DIRECTV now have avenues to purchase Sunday Ticket access on its own. However, the premium features like the RedZone channel, fantasy options, and coaches film angle will remain exclusive to DIRECTV customers. So depending on your needs as a fan, DIRECTV still provides a more complete Sunday Ticket experience.