Thursday Night Football (TNF) is one of the NFL’s most-watched primetime events, drawing massive audiences across the U.S. and worldwide. As of the 2025 season, Amazon Prime Video holds exclusive streaming rights for most TNF games, making it the main way fans watch live — but you don’t necessarily have to pay to catch the action.
With record viewership through streaming rights deals and expanded digital access, many viewers are asking the same question: how to watch Thursday Night Football for free — legally and safely. This guide breaks down every method that will help you stream TNF games at no cost in 2025.
📌 The Official TNF Broadcast Rights (2025)
Every 2025 Thursday Night Football matchup — including regular season and select playoff games — is primarily hosted on Amazon Prime Video. Prime members can stream live on TVs, phones, tablets, and browsers. Some local broadcast stations may still carry certain TNF games over the air in their local markets.
Here’s the gist:
- 📺 Prime Video is now the main TNF platform.
- 🆓 Free trials and mobile streams offer temporary free access.
- 📡 Over-the-air antennas can pick up games if they air on networks in your area.
- 📱 Free mobile app options in some regions allow viewing without paying.
✅ Use Amazon Prime Video’s Free Trial
Legally one of the easiest ways to watch Thursday Night Football for free is through Amazon Prime’s trial.
Amazon offers a 30-day free trial for new members — and that includes access to every Thursday Night Football game during the trial period.
How it works:
- Sign up for a free Prime trial at Amazon.
- Open the Prime Video app or website.
- Search for “Thursday Night Football” and start watching live games.
💡 Tip: If you’re only interested in streaming TNF, you might also try a Prime Video–only trial (cheaper than full Prime). Either way, cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.
📺 Watch Locally with an HDTV Antenna
In some U.S. markets, Thursday Night Football still airs on local broadcast channels (like FOX, CBS, or NBC) if the NFL designates a game that way. With a digital HDTV antenna, you can pick up those channels for free in crisp HD.
Steps:
- Buy a digital antenna (often under $40).
- Connect it to your TV.
- Tune in to the local channel broadcasting the TNF game.
Licensed OTA broadcasts are completely free and don’t require any subscription. This tip is especially useful if you live in the local market of one of the competing teams.
📱 Stream Free on Official Apps (Mobile Only)
Some official apps offer free TNF streaming — but only on phones or tablets.
- NFL Mobile App: In many regions, the NFL official app lets you stream TNF games live at no cost.
- Yahoo Sports App: Often streams live TNF games for free on mobile devices.
These platforms don’t always work on TVs, but they’re perfect if you’re on the go. That said, availability can vary by region and carrier.
🌐 Free Ad-Supported Platforms (Replays & Highlights)
If live free access isn’t available, many ad-supported platforms stream replays, condensed versions, highlights, and sometimes delayed broadcasts without charge:
| Platform | Free Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pluto TV | NFL Channel content | Highlights, replays |
| Tubi | Football replays | No live TNF |
| Roku Channel | Limited replays | Varies by market |
These won’t always show live games — but if you want to catch every play and update after kickoff without subscription fees, they’re worth checking.
🆓 Twitch Legal Simulcasts (When Available)
In past seasons, Amazon has simulcast TNF games on Twitch — which streams for free to viewers worldwide via web or mobile browsers. These streams include live play-by-play, sometimes in multiple variants (English, Spanish, alternate camera angles).
Note: Twitch access doesn’t always work on native TV apps — but it is legal and free to watch via computers or mobile devices.
🔄 Watch with Friends at Free Hosted Locations
Another trick: many sports bars, pubs, hotels, and lounges offer TNF broadcasts for patrons without personal subscriptions. Thanks to deals between Prime Video and DIRECTV for business venues, over 300,000 establishments stream games live — opening a social (and free) way to catch TNF.
Check local bars or restaurants advertising NFL or TNF broadcasts — it’s a fun way to watch with fellow fans.
📊 Check Local Free Broadcasts Outside the U.S.
Depending on where you live, Thursday Night Football may broadcast for free on local sports or public television channels (e.g., in Australia, NZ, UK markets). Viewing rules vary internationally, but many regions still offer free live NFL games on public or free-to-air networks — separate from Prime Video exclusivity in the U.S.
📌 Be Careful: Avoid Illegal Streams
While free TNF streams may sometimes appear on unofficial sites, using them is risky and often illegal. Stick to official options above — free trials, antennas, mobile apps, and legitimate ad-supported services. If it looks “too good to be true,” it probably is.
📝 Best Ways to Watch TNF for Free
| Method | Cost | Works Live? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Free Trial | Free (30 days) | Yes | Best for full live games |
| Mobile Apps (NFL/Yahoo) | Free | Yes (Mobile) | Great for phones/tablets |
| Digital Antenna | Free after purchase | Sometimes | Local OTA broadcasts |
| Twitch (Official) | Free | Yes (web/mobile) | Device restrictions apply |
| Ad-Supported Replays | Free | No | Useful for highlights/replays |
| Sports Bar / Venues | Free to attendee | Yes | Social viewing option |
| Local Free TV (Intl) | Free | Yes | Depends on region |
