The staggering cost of watching every NFL game during the upcoming season was laid bare after Netflix bought the rights to air two of the league’s Christmas Day games exclusively on its platform.
The Netflix games come as part of a three-year deal, which will see the steaming service broadcast at least one Christmas Day game annually through 2026.
Netflix joins other streaming services showcasing the NFL as the league expands beyond traditional broadcast partners. However, that means the cost for fans to enjoy most – if not all – games continues to balloon.
Following the news, MarketWatch ran the data and revealed that it would cost fans $1,610 to watch all of the NFL’s games this season.
The breakdown counts for cable TV or a YouTube TV subscription, NFL Sunday Ticket, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+, NFL+, and Netflix.
Fans will have to pay a total of $1,610 to watch every NFL game this upcoming season
On Wednesday, Netflix announced that it will air at least one Christmas game through 2026
The data reveals that having cable TV for network games would come at an annual cost of roughly $876. NFL Sunday Ticket can be purchased via YouTube TV for $389, while an Amazon Prime Video subscription costs $139.
As for streaming platforms, ESPN+ is the most costly at $99 annually. Peacock and NFL+ cost $60 and $40, respectively. Meanwhile, a monthly membership for Netflix amounts to $7.
Fans can find workarounds such as free trials and short-term sign-ups to soften the blow. For example, customers could sign up for a Netflix subscription in December to watch the Christmas games and cancel their account soon after.
However, games are distributed across platforms in a way that is designed to retain dedicated fans as subscribers. Unlike Netflix’s one-day arrangement, for example, Thursday night games run through the season on Amazon Prime.
Meanwhile, Peacock will broadcast three exclusive games this season: the NFL’s first regular season game in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a regular season matchup in September, and a playoff showdown in January.
Netflix secured the NFL deal as it continues to build itself a home for sporting events.
The platform recently announced it would be the home of WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw in 2025. Netflix will also exclusively air the boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in July.
The announcement also comes just over a week after airing the The Roast of Tom Brady live on May 5.
