How Much Does NFL Sunday Ticket Cost?

Last Updated on September 20, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

NFL Sunday Ticket represents the holy grail for football fans, offering live streaming access to watch every out-of-market NFL game all season long. But how much does this premium service actually cost?

In this guide, we’ll break down the full Sunday Ticket pricing structure across platforms like DirecTV and YouTube TV. We’ll also compare costs versus similar sports streaming services to evaluate the value proposition for football fanatics.

Article Highlights

• Around $300 for the standard Sunday Ticket package
• Add RedZone for an extra $100+ per NFL season
• YouTube TV bundle breaks down to $65+ monthly
• Blackout restrictions on local games limit access
• Best value for die-hard pro football fans

How Much Does NFL Sunday Ticket Cost?

NFL Sunday Ticket is available directly from DirecTV as well as bundled with YouTube TV. Here are the primary pricing options and packages:

• NFL Sunday Ticket (Standalone) – $419.94 for the 2024 full NFL season
• NFL Sunday Ticket Max – $479.94 with NFL RedZone, DirecTV Fantasy Zone, Short Cuts, and full game replays
• YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket – $64.99 per month with contract

Expect to budget roughly $300 to $400 depending on your desired features. Taxes, fees, premium channels can also increase costs further.

According to CableTV.com, the lowest retail price for NFL Sunday Ticket is $379 for the full season when bundled with YouTube TV, which costs $72.99 per month. If you choose to add NFL RedZone, the total cost increases to $419 for the season. For those who do not subscribe to YouTube TV, the price for NFL Sunday Ticket alone is $479 for the season, with an option to add NFL RedZone for an additional $40.

USA Today provides a detailed breakdown of the pricing options for NFL Sunday Ticket. They report that students can access the package for a discounted price of $199, and if they want to include NFL RedZone, it costs an additional $10, bringing the total to $209. For regular subscribers, the package costs $479, while those who bundle it with YouTube TV can pay four payments of $119.75, totaling $479 for the season.

In another article from USA Today, they mention that if you subscribe to YouTube TV, you can pay four monthly installments of approximately $158.99, which totals about $635.96 after four months, after which you will continue paying $72.99 per month for YouTube TV’s base plan. This option also allows you to add NFL RedZone for an additional fee of about $10.99 per month.

According to PCMag, existing YouTube TV subscribers can get NFL Sunday Ticket for $349, while non-subscribers will pay $479. They also note that adding NFL RedZone increases the total by about $40, making it essential for fans who want comprehensive coverage of Sunday games.

Finally, Tom’s Guide states that if you’re not a YouTube TV subscriber, you can still get NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube Primetime Channels for $479, with an option to add NFL RedZone for an additional $40 at checkout. They highlight that new users may find promotional offers available, including discounts up to $170 or free access through certain Verizon promotions.

What Exactly is NFL Sunday Ticket?

NFL Sunday Ticket is a sports streaming package offered by DirecTV that provides live online access to all out-of-market NFL games occurring on Sundays during the regular football season.

It delivers must-have features for NFL superfans including:

• Live streams of up to 14+ NFL games each Sunday depending on region
• The wildly popular NFL RedZone channel with whiplash-inducing live look-ins as teams enter scoring territory
• Streaming support across tons of devices like mobile, Roku, Apple TV, laptops
• Advanced statistics, local radio broadcasts, and deep fantasy football roster integration

But with all this premium access, exactly how much does NFL Sunday Ticket set back football devotees? Let’s break it down.

NFL Sunday Ticket vs Other Streaming Services

So how does Sunday Ticket stack up cost-wise against other options football fans have for streaming NFL games?

• NFL+ Premium – $39.99 per month with full game replays and live local/primetime streams
• Hulu + Live TV – $69.99 per month with NFL Network/RedZone included
• Sling TV – $35 per month with NFL Network/RedZone
• FuboTV Pro – $69.99 per month includes NFL Network/RedZone

While pricier upfront, Sunday Ticket provides unparalleled out-of-market access. But options like NFL+ offer more flexibility at a lower monthly cost.

You might also like our articles on the cost of tickets to the World Series, Super Bowl, or NBA.

Regional Broadcast Restrictions

Note that local broadcast blackout restrictions do apply:

• Games airing on local TV networks in your region are blacked out on Sunday Ticket
• Requires finding alternative viewing options for in-market team games through antennas or NFL+
• Using a quality VPN can sometimes work around blackouts limitations

Always cross-check which local games you’ll miss before subscribing.

Sunday Ticket And Its Value

In the end, Sunday Ticket makes the most financial sense for passionate NFL fanatics:

• Die-hard fans of specific out-of-market teams can watch every single game live without hassle
• Enables effortlessly monitoring fantasy football players across several leagues
• Provides commercial-free full game replays on-demand shortly after live airing
• Delivers entertainment comparable to actually attending a live game, but at a fraction of stadium costs

For more casual NFL viewers, free or lower-cost options probably suffice. But for the NFL-obsessed, Sunday Ticket is tough to beat as a fan wish list item.

Reducing NFL Sunday Ticket Costs

Fans can trim costs through moves like:

• Seeking early bird specials before the NFL season kicks off
• Verifying eligibility for student discounts if enrolled in college
• Splitting fees with other households and sharing logins
• Using free trials of services like YouTube TV to access Sunday Ticket

While still a hefty investment, shopping smart helps loyal football supporters streamline expenses.

NFL Sunday Ticket vs Going to a Sports Bar

To illustrate value, consider a fan visiting sports bars each Sunday to catch NFL action all season:

• With 17 regular season weeks, that’s $50+ per week on food and drinks x 17 = $850+
• Additional costs like transportation and tips
• Less comfortable, crowded, and convenient than streaming at home
• Unable to view specific out-of-market games reliably across different bars

When weighed against sports bar expenses, Sunday Ticket provides reasonable NFL value, especially split across an entire household.

Expert Recommendations

Football tech and pricing experts reveal their top tips:

“Use an amplified digital antenna to access over-the-air local broadcasts and supplement Sunday Ticket’s blacked out games.” – Ryan Chang, Sports Tech Analyst

“Compare Sunday Ticket savings from different carriers like AT&T and Verizon for the best deal.” – Olivia Markson, NFL Insider

“If eligible, sign up with a student address to access special college discounts just for the fall semester.” – Mark Flanigan, Savings Blogger

“Purchase a quality VPN subscription to protect your streaming investment and unlock blacked out games.” – James Ortez, Cybersecurity Expert

Their specialized advice helps fans maximize their NFL streaming budget dollars.

Answers to Common Questions

Let’s answer some frequent NFL fan questions:

Does NFL Sunday Ticket really provide good overall value?

For passionate NFL fans closely following specific out-of-market teams or multiple fantasy leagues, Sunday Ticket delivers hard to beat entertainment value. More casual fans may be better off with cheaper alternatives though.

Are there any legitimate ways to get NFL Sunday Ticket for free?

Beyond limited promotional offers, the only way to score free Sunday Ticket is having it included with certain AT&T or DirecTV cell phone plans. Otherwise, expect to pay at minimum the ~$300 base fee.

Can I pay for NFL Sunday Ticket monthly instead of the full season cost upfront?

Yes, the YouTube TV + Sunday Ticket streaming bundle spreads its $64.99 monthly price over 12 months instead of a 1-time annual fee. But the standalone Sunday Ticket package still requires paying the entire seasonal cost upfront.

If I live in an apartment, am I eligible for NFL Sunday Ticket student discounts?

Typically, NFL Sunday Ticket student discounts do require the subscription billing address to match on-campus university housing. Some exceptions exist if you contact customer support, but eligibility terms are strict.

We hope these NFL Sunday Ticket pricing particulars help fans select the optimal NFL viewing packages tailored to their budget and fandom this upcoming season!

Final Words

While costly, NFL Sunday Ticket offers tremendous functionality for football fanatics seeking unlimited access to every out-of-market regular season game across teams they follow. For the NFL-obsessed, it grants a dream streaming package.

More casual viewers may be better served by cheaper alternatives however. Carefully compare your needs against prices across DirecTV, NFL+, YouTube TV, and local broadcast options. While still an investment, Sunday Ticket brings great entertainment value across an entire household for devoted pigskin fans.