How to Watch, Stream First NFL Game of 2024 Online for Free Without Cable: Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN

The Kansas City Chiefs begin their quest to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls on Thursday when the 2024-25 NFL season officially begins. And the first game is set to be a blowout, as the Chiefs take on the Baltimore Ravens, the team they last faced in the league finals in January.

Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson will be hoping to lead their teams to a strong start this season. But they have some untested rookie talent joining them on the field.

The 2024 season is off to a pretty good start, with a single game on Thursday, one on Friday, followed by the rest of the league’s traditional Sunday schedule. That’s enough time for fans suffering from a bit of soccer boredom to sink into their favorite couch or beer pong.

Here’s the best way to follow the game.

Which NFL teams will play on Thursday? And which channel will broadcast the games?

There is only one match tonight. (The home team is ranked second.)

Thursday, August 1

Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs8:20 PM ET on NBC

How can I watch the NFL season opener for free, even if I’m not there?

The best way to watch any network show for free on the big screen is with a good HD antenna. And since the opening game will be broadcast by NBC, watching will be pretty straightforward. To make sure you get the most reliable signal, be sure to test your antenna in multiple locations around your home.

Can I stream the 2024 NFL opening game online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

You can—and have several options:

Peacock

NBC streaming service will give you access to a number of games, including tonight’s games, tomorrow’s games, and all upcoming Sunday night games. You can try it free for seven days, then pay a monthly fee of $8 or $14. (The free version of Peacock doesn’t include live sports.)

Disney+

Disney’s Disney+ package, Hulu And ESPN+ no longer offers a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three plans (or $30 per month for ad-free Hulu).

Including live TV in this package raises the price to $77 a month ($90 without ads).

Hulu with Live TV

Free trial on this service lasts three days. After that, you’ll pay $77 per month.

YouTubeTV

After one free trialYou may be charged a monthly fee of $73.

TV wall

Dish Network’s lower-end “Orange” package for Sling costs $40 a month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” package bumps the cost to $55 a month. Unfortunately, the seven-day free trial is gone.

DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, streaming services are often renamed will cost $80 per month and up after the free trial option. (A package that includes NFL Network will cost $99 per month.)

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord cutting service broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, then monthly fees of $80 or more, depending on which channels you choose.

Can I watch NFL games on Amazon?

Amazon will be the usual home of Thursday Night Football again, but not this week. Also, like last year, the streaming service won’t be showing any games on Thanksgiving, though it will be on Black Friday. The first game on Amazon this year will be the Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins on September 12.

Does the NFL offer a viewing package to watch the games I want?

There are actually three.

NFL App

The NFL App will allow you to stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an “out of market” game, you have two options.

American Football

Watch live domestic and international games and (with a premium subscription) replays. It’ll cost you $50 per season. ($100 for the premium plan.)

NFL Sunday Tickets

YouTube is once again home to the channel. Pricing this year starts at $73 a month for Sunday Ticket and YouTubeTV or $449 for just Sunday Ticket (which includes all out-of-market games this season).

Will the new kick-off rule apply in the regular season?

It will be.

The NFL is experimenting for a year this season with putting all members of the kicking and receiving teams (except the kicker and returner) within 10 yards of the field. Only the kicker and two returners are allowed to move until the ball hits the ground or is touched by a returner within 20 yards.

Kicks that touch the end zone in the air may be returned or considered a touchdown and possession at the 30-yard line. If the ball touches the ground (or touches a player) before the end zone and enters the end zone, the touchdown is at the 20-yard line. The kick may still be returned.

Meanwhile, onside kicks are no longer a surprise, as the trailing team must declare plans to take an onside kick—and only in the fourth quarter.