Watching the NFL will cost more, require more streaming services than ever this season

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Earlier this year, six in 10 sports fans said they have skipped watching a game at least a few times in the past year because it was "too expensive," according to a new Fox News poll. In addition, 72% of fans said major sporting events should be required to air on free broadcast television instead of behind streaming paywalls.

The 2026-27 NFL schedule is not going to make those fans any happier.

While the full season schedule will not be released until Thursday, reports about some of the league’s streaming plans are already available. Most notably, Netflix is expanding its slate this season to include at least 49ers-Rams in Australia in Week 1 on Thursday, Sept. 10, along with games on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Eve.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference after Super Bowl LX at Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Feb. 9, 2026. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire)

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Netflix previously only carried NFL games on Christmas. That means fans who subscribe to Netflix only for the NFL will now have to pay for at least three months this season instead of just one.

Peacock will also air an exclusive prime time broadcast Saturday, Jan. 2. For context, all NBC games already stream on Peacock, but this one will air only on Peacock, which recently raised its price to $10.99 per month.

Of course, fans will still need Amazon Prime for the entire regular season and the first weekend of the