The NFL will kick off its 2025 season with a first: a globally free, live-streamed game on YouTube.
On Friday, September 5th, fans around the world will tune in to watch the Los Angeles Chargers play in São Paulo, Brazil, in a game that will be broadcasted exclusively on YouTube and YouTube TV. This marks the first time YouTube will act as a primary live NFL broadcaster, stepping further into the sports streaming arena.
Also Read | YouTube Might Finally Help You Stop Scrolling (Kind Of)
For fans in teams home markets, the game will still air on traditional broadcast networks. It’ll also be available via NFL Plus (mobile, US) and NFL Game Pass (DAZN, international).
This move aligns YouTube with a growing wave of streaming-first platforms entering the live sports world. After Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL broadcasts pulled in nearly 65 million US viewers, and Peacock’s success with exclusive matchups, YouTube now wants its piece of the pie too.
According to Mary Ellen Coe, YouTube’s Chief Business Officer, the broadcast will include creators and offer an interactive viewing experience, a nod to how YouTube uniquely blends content, culture, and community. Coe also revealed that fans have watched over 350 million hours of NFL content on YouTube to date.
And this isn’t a one-off: YouTube has also inked a multi-year deal with the NFL to continue streaming the Super Bowl Flag Football game.
With this move, YouTube is no longer just a platform about football, it’s becoming part of the game.