In the opening paragraph, a quick answer to the question posed in the title is no – you cannot watch NFL games directly on Facebook in most cases. Facebook does not have rights to broadcast NFL games. However, there are some limited exceptions and workarounds that allow you to view some NFL content on Facebook, which this article will explore in detail.
What NFL content is available on Facebook?
While you cannot watch full NFL games on Facebook in most cases, there is some NFL-related content available:
- NFL team pages – All 32 NFL teams have active Facebook pages where they share news, updates, photos, videos, and livestreams of press conferences or other media events.
- Individual NFL player pages – Many NFL players have their own Facebook pages or public profiles where they interact with fans.
- NFL discussion groups – There are active NFL fan communities and groups on Facebook for discussing games, teams, and players.
- Highlights and clips – The NFL and media outlets will often post short video highlights or clips from games and analysis shows.
- Live pregame and postgame shows – Some local team broadcast affiliates will livestream pregame and postgame coverage.
So while full games are not available, there is still plenty of NFL content on Facebook for fans to enjoy.
Why are most NFL games not available on Facebook?
The main reason you can’t watch NFL games on Facebook is that Facebook does not own the broadcasting rights. The NFL sells exclusive rights to broadcast games to television networks and streaming services, and Facebook is not one of the current rights holders. Here is a quick overview of who holds NFL broadcasting rights:
- NBC – Sunday Night Football
- CBS – AFC Sunday afternoon games
- Fox – NFC Sunday afternoon games
- ESPN – Monday Night Football
- Amazon Prime – Thursday Night Football
- DirecTV – Sunday Ticket package for out-of-market games
Because Facebook does not hold any broadcasting rights, they cannot show full game broadcasts on their platform without permission. They are limited to non-game NFL content like news, analysis, and highlights.
Are there any exceptions where NFL games are shown on Facebook?
There are a few limited cases where you may be able to watch NFL games on Facebook:
- Local preseason games – Some local team broadcast affiliates will stream preseason games live on Facebook in their local market.
- International markets – For fans outside the US, some international broadcast partners will stream NFL games on Facebook.
- Illegal streams – Unauthorized streams of NFL games are sometimes found on Facebook, though they often get taken down due to copyright issues.
So under special circumstances, it is possible to find live NFL game broadcasts on Facebook. But this is the exception, not the norm, due to broadcasting rights limitations.
Workarounds to watch NFL on Facebook
While you can’t directly watch NFL games on Facebook, there are some workarounds that allow you to view NFL games with a Facebook connection:
- Facebook Watch Parties – These allow you to watch a live broadcast from a TV network while connected on Facebook to chat with friends.
- SkySports simulcast – SkySports from the UK simulcasts some NFL games on Facebook that are available internationally but blocked in the US.
- Unverified links – Sometimes sketchy third-party links claim to show NFL games through Facebook, but they often don’t work reliably.
However, these workarounds have significant limitations versus watching a broadcast directly on Facebook. The experience is not the same as having the games fully available natively on the platform.
Will NFL games ever be shown directly on Facebook?
While not a current option, there is a chance the NFL could eventually partner with Facebook for broadcasting rights. However, it faces some major hurdles:
- Expensive rights fees – Broadcasting NFL games is incredibly expensive, which limits potential partners.
- Competing bidders – Deep-pocketed competitors like Amazon are also vying for rights.
- Audience fit – Facebook’s audience skews young, while NFL viewers tend to be older.
- Ad limitations – The NFL makes a lot of ad revenue during games, but Facebook offers fewer options for this currently.
Here is a table summarizing the chances of the NFL partnering with Facebook for broadcasting rights:
| Factor | Chance |
|---|---|
| Cost of rights | Low |
| Competing bidders | Low |
| Audience fit | Medium |
| Ad revenue potential | Low |
Based on these factors, the chances seem relatively low for Facebook to acquire NFL broadcasting rights in the near future. But the rapid evolution of the media landscape makes it unwise to rule anything out entirely. Facebook has grown into a major player in streaming live events and continues to explore sports offerings. While unlikely in the short term, Facebook remains a potential suitor to watch in the next round of NFL media rights negotiations.
How to watch NFL games without cable
Since full NFL games are not directly available on Facebook as discussed above, here are some of the best ways to watch NFL action without a cable TV subscription:
- NFL+ app – Lets you live stream local and primetime games on mobile and connected devices.
- NFL Sunday Ticket – DirecTV’s package for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
- Free trials – Take advantage of free trial offers from streaming services like FuboTV and Sling.
- Local TV antenna – Pick up over-the-air local broadcasts of CBS, NBC, and Fox games.
- Sports bars – Watch the games in-person at a local bar that has TV subscriptions.
There are plenty of options to get your NFL fix these days without needing an expensive cable package. Following the NFL’s digital shift, more and more streaming choices become available each season. And the possibility of Facebook entering the mix down the road remains intriguing, if still uncertain.
The future of NFL streaming
While unlikely to land on Facebook anytime soon, the way the NFL is broadcasted is rapidly evolving. Some predictions for the future:
- More streaming packages – The NFL will slice up rights into more tailored streaming packages beyond just CBS, NBC, Fox, and ESPN.
- Big tech bidders – Deep-pocketed bidders like Amazon, Apple, YouTube, and Facebook will compete more aggressively for rights.
- Shift from cable – Cable subscriptions will continue declining as streaming becomes more accessible and affordable.
- Mobile focus – There will be an increased emphasis on streaming NFL games on mobile devices.
- Personalization – Streaming will allow for customized camera angles, stats, and advertising.
While the details remain uncertain, it seems clear that streaming will be central to the NFL’s future media landscape. This shift could potentially open the door for new players like Facebook to get in the game. But cable networks still retain a stronghold for now. It will likely take years before an outcome where live NFL action is readily available on social media platforms comes to fruition.
Conclusion
In summary, while you cannot currently watch full NFL games directly on Facebook in most cases, some limited content is available. Broadcast rights agreements prevent Facebook from showing games unless they acquire those rights from current holders like CBS, ESPN, and Fox. The chance of that happening soon seems low, though not impossible long-term. For now, NFL fans will need to look to other streaming options besides Facebook to get their football fix. But the rapid changes in the media landscape mean continued evolution is inevitable when it comes to broadcast rights and accessibility. This will be an interesting story to follow in coming years as the NFL adapts to the digital age.