Ultimate Guide on How to Watch NFL in Canada

Looking for information on how to watch NFL games in Canada? With a stacked lineup of exciting matches and electrifying moments, the NFL season promises action and passion for every football enthusiast. 

Whether you’re a die-hard fan eagerly supporting your favorite team or a casual viewer tuning in for the high-octane finales, this guide has got you covered!

Let’s get right to it!

Where to watch NFL in Canada: Challenges and Solutions

Before we get into the details of how to watch NFL in Canada, you might be wondering — why is it even a challenge in the first place? If you’re reading this, then you may or may not know that being outside the US can make accessing live streaming or broadcasting matches a bit tricky.

For one thing, licensing and broadcasting agreements are different in Canada. That means that the channels and services available for streaming may not be the same as those in the US. Canadian networks have rights to specific games, which means they won’t broadcast every match. This can be frustrating if you’re hoping to catch a particular game or your favorite team’s match.

Of course, there’s also the time difference between Canada and the US. With games often starting late at night or in the early morning, it can be a challenge for fans to stay up and watch the games live. With that said, this is not much of an issue if you’re watching on-demand or recording the games to watch at a more convenient time.

Watch NFL via cable TV

For football fans, cable TV has traditionally been the go-to option for watching NFL games. Several TV channels in Canada offer live broadcasting of NFL games, including: 

• CTV: Offers free-to-air coverage of Sunday afternoon games, making it a great choice for casual viewers who want to catch the weekend action.
• TSN: Known for broadcasting primetime games such as Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football, TSN is a staple for avid fans.
• RDS: Provides French-language coverage, ensuring that French-speaking viewers don’t miss out on the excitement.

While convenient and a great way to watch NFL at no additional cost, TV channels only show a limited number of games per week. This can be due to contractual agreements or scheduling conflicts with other sporting events. But if you’re already using cable anyway, this is still a great option for catching some of the best games.

How to watch NFL in Canada without cable?

But let’s say that you don’t have a cable subscription, or you don’t want to deal with the hassle of limited game coverage. Well, that’s where streaming services come in! With the rise of streaming platforms, it’s become easier than ever to watch NFL online.

Unlike Cable TV, streaming services do not lock you in with lengthy contracts and monthly fees. Instead, you can opt for a subscription-based service or pay-per-view options to watch the games you want. If you’re only getting a subscription for NFL streaming, then you can just cancel after the season is over.

Streaming services also offer a more personalized and customizable viewing experience. Not only can you watch NFL live, but you can also choose to watch them at any time that suits you, or on any device. You’re not limited to a TV — streaming platforms now have apps available on different devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs, making it super convenient.

But which one should you choose? Here are some popular streaming services to consider:

Watch NFL live via NFL+

As the official streaming service for NFL games, NFL+ is the top choice for many fans. With a subscription, you can access live and on-demand games in HD quality, as well as exclusive content such as NFL RedZone and NFL Network. Thos is a perfect solution for those who want to catch every game and stay updated on the latest news and analysis.

An NFL+ subscription starts at $9.99/month or $49.99 per season (around $13.80/$69 CAD). While it’s pricier than other options, it’s a comprehensive service that offers all NFL games and additional features. Not surprising considering it’s run by the NFL itself.

Unfortunately, there’s one catch — NFL+ is exclusive to US, and therefore it’s not available in Canada. Fortunately, there are ways to work around this restriction (more on that in a later section).

Watch NFL on DAZN

DAZN is a British-based streaming service that offers live and on-demand sports content, including NFL games. With DAZN, you can access NFL game pass, which offer live and on-demand games in HD quality. Plus, you can also stream other sports events such as Premier League, Champions League, and more.

A DAZN subscription costs $20 per month or $225 per year (around $27.60/$310 CAD). Note that this is on top of the NFL Game pass which costs an additional $6.99 per month or $49.99 per season (around $9.60/$69 CAD). While this makes it significantly more expensive than NFL+, DAZN offers a wide range of sports content, making it a great choice for all-around sports enthusiasts.

TSN+

TSN is another great option for NFL streaming in Canada. With TSN+, you can access live and on-demand games, as well as other sports events such as the NBA, NHL, and more. It is also available on most devices and offers HD streaming for a seamless viewing experience.

A subscription to TSN+ starts at $8 per month, which makes it the most affordable option on this list. Plus, the streaming service is accessible to International viewers, including Canada, making it a convenient choice for Canadian fans.

One caveat though is that TSN+ only has limited rights to broadcast NFL games. This includes Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football. So you won’t be able to catch every game on TSN+ alone. Still, it’s certainly more than what you’re getting from cable TV, making it a viable option for those who prefer to stream NFL in Canada over traditional TV.

Watch NFL via Prime Video

For football fans who already have an Amazon Prime membership, you can access select NFL games through Amazon Prime Video at no additional cost. While it may not have the most extensive selection of games, it’s a great perk for those who are already subscribed to Amazon Prime. Plus, you can stream other Prime Video content when there are no live games available.

An Amazon Prime Video subscription starts at $14.99 per month or $139 per year (around $19.50/$183 CAD). While it may be more expensive than other options, you’re getting access to a wide range of TV shows, movies, and exclusive content on top of NFL games.

A major downside though is that you’re only limited to Thursday Night Football games, so it’s not the best option for those who want to catch every game. Still, it’s a good option for casual viewers and those who want to have the flexibility of choosing what content to watch.

How to watch NFL if the streaming service is not available in your region?

As we’ve mentioned earlier, some streaming services are only available in certain regions and may not be accessible to viewers outside of those areas. But that doesn’t mean you can’t watch NFL at all! That’s where the use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) comes in!

A VPN allows you to change your IP address and location, making it seem like you’re accessing the internet from a different region. This way, you can bypass regional restrictions and access streaming services that are only available in certain regions.

Another great thing about VPNs is that they’ve become incredibly easy to use. Most VPN premium providers now offer user-friendly apps that you can download on your device. This makes it a great companion for streaming apps, as you can easily switch between different regions to access the content you want.

To show you just how easy it is, let’s go over the steps on how it can be done with ClearVPN, which is a premium VPN service with dedicated streaming servers for unblocking popular streaming services.

For example, let’s say that you wish to stream NFL games via NFL+, but it’s not available in your region (exclusive to US viewers). Here’s how you can get around this restriction using ClearVPN:

1. Download and install the ClearVPN app on your device (available for PC, macOS, iOS and Android devices).
2. Run the ClearVPN app and sign up for an account. Subscription prices start at $9.99 per month with a free 3-day trial, so you can test it out before committing.
3. Once signed in, tap/click on “Locations” in the bottom of the screen.
4. Then go to “Streaming services”.
5. Select the streaming service that you wish to unblock. In this case, it’s “NFL”.

Once done, ClearVPN will automatically connect you to the best server for unblocking NFL+ and you can now stream NFL games as if you were in the US. It’s that simple!

NFL Schedule

Now that we’ve covered the different streaming options and how to access them, let’s take a look at the upcoming NFL schedule for this season. This way, you can plan your viewing schedule in advance and never miss a game!

Here’s the NFL schedule over the next 2 weeks as of this writing (week 8 and 9):

For the complete schedule, you can visit the official NFL website or check your preferred streaming service for game listings.

FAQs

What is the best way to watch NFL in Canada?

The answer depends on your personal preferences and budget. If you’re looking for the most comprehensive option, DAZN and TSN+ are great choices as they offer a wide range of sports content. However, if you only want to catch select NFL games and already have an Amazon Prime membership, then Amazon Prime Video might be the best option for you.

Does TSN+ have NFL?

Yes, TSN+ provides access to several NFL games, including Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, and Thursday Night Football. However, it doesn’t cover every game, so for comprehensive NFL coverage, you might need additional streaming services alongside TSN+.

What is the best NFL streaming service?

The best NFL streaming service is inarguably NFL+ as it offers the most comprehensive coverage of NFL games. However, if you’re a sports enthusiast and want access to other sports content as well, then DAZN might be a better option for you.