Where to watch Thursday Night Football in the U.S.
Most NFL fans still miss this: regular-season Thursday Night Football games are now streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the United States. Kickoff is typically 8:15 p.m. ET with pregame coverage about an hour earlier. If you were hunting for a specific streaming guide and hit a dead link, this is the playbook you need to watch a matchup like Packers vs. Commanders.
Prime Video access: You can watch with an Amazon Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video plan. New users often get a free trial, which covers TNF if it falls within your trial window. On game day, open the Prime Video app, search for “Thursday Night Football,” and pick your preferred feed (standard broadcast or the analytics-heavy “Prime Vision” option).
Local broadcast in team markets: If you live in the Packers’ or Commanders’ home TV market, the game is also simulcast on a local over-the-air channel. A simple indoor antenna usually does the job. Check your local listings on game day to confirm the station carrying the broadcast.
Mobile-only option (NFL+): In the U.S., NFL+ streams live local and primetime games on phones and tablets. It’s a solid backup if you’re away from a TV, but casting to larger screens is restricted by rights. Download the NFL app, sign in, and look for the live game tile.
Sports bars and restaurants: Thanks to a distribution deal, many bars show TNF via DirecTV for Business. Call ahead to confirm the game is on and whether they’re using the main broadcast or an alternate feed.
Kickoff and feeds: TNF kicks at 8:15 p.m. ET. Prime Video typically offers multiple audio options, including English, Spanish, and descriptive audio, plus closed captions. The “Prime Vision” stream adds on-screen route maps, defensive contours, and real-time probabilities powered by Next Gen Stats.
International viewing, devices, quality, and quick fixes
Watching outside the U.S.: Internationally, NFL Game Pass (distributed by DAZN in most countries) carries live TNF. In the U.K. and Ireland, Sky Sports NFL usually broadcasts TNF, with streaming through Game Pass International as well. In Canada, DAZN’s NFL Game Pass also streams live games. Geo-restrictions apply, so check availability in your region before kickoff.
Supported devices: Prime Video runs on most modern smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), streaming sticks (Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV), game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox), phones, tablets, and web browsers. Update your app and device firmware before the game to avoid last-minute hiccups.
Picture and sound: Amazon’s TNF feed streams in high-definition with HDR on supported devices and Dolby 5.1 audio. Not every device supports every feature, so if HDR or surround sound isn’t showing up, check your HDMI cable, audio settings, and the app’s video menu. Some devices include a low-latency toggle to reduce delay versus cable—handy if you text with friends who watch on different platforms.
If you’re in a blackout zone: Only home-market stations and Prime Video have the rights for U.S. viewers. If you’re traveling, your app may show different availability based on location. Location services must be turned on for NFL+ and may be required for Prime Video to serve the correct feed.
Pricing snapshot: Access comes through a Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video plan. Student discounts and limited-time promos are common early in the season. If you’re only tuning in for a handful of games, set a reminder to cancel trials so you don’t get billed beyond what you need.
Accessibility: Closed captions are available across devices. Look for descriptive audio in the audio/subtitle menu. If captions are out of sync, toggle them off and back on, or switch to the alternate feed and return.
Game-day checklist (two minutes):
- Confirm your Prime Video or NFL+ login works on the device you’ll use.
- Update the Prime Video app and your device firmware.
- Test your internet: 10–15 Mbps per HD stream is the safe floor; more if multiple devices are streaming.
- If you’re in a home market, identify the local OTA channel as a backup and position your antenna.
- Open Prime Video 10 minutes before kickoff and choose your preferred broadcast feed.
Troubleshooting tips that actually help:
- Buffering or blurry video: Reboot your router, switch from Wi‑Fi to Ethernet if possible, and limit other heavy downloads during the game.
- Audio issues: Make sure your TV or receiver is set to PCM or Dolby Digital, not an unsupported format. Try a different HDMI port or cable.
- App acting up: Force close and relaunch the app, clear cache, or reinstall. On smart TVs, a power cycle (unplug for 30 seconds) often fixes stubborn glitches.
- Delay versus friends on cable: Enable low-latency mode if your device supports it. Otherwise, pausing for a few seconds to sync up is the easiest fix for group chats.
What if the Packers vs. Commanders listing isn’t showing? Double-check the NFL schedule for the week to confirm the matchup and that it’s a Thursday night slot. If it is, search for “NFL” inside Prime Video, then select the live game tile. In home markets, scan for the over-the-air channel as a fallback. On mobile, open the NFL app and look for the live game under NFL+.
The bottom line for fans: in the U.S., Prime Video is your primary home for TNF; local broadcast stations cover you in the Packers’ and Commanders’ markets; NFL+ works on phones and tablets; and international viewers rely on NFL Game Pass via DAZN or regional sports networks. Sort your login, test your stream before kickoff, and you’re set for Thursday night.