Finding exactly where can i stream the patriots feels like trying to read a complicated defensive scheme without a huddle. You think you've got it figured out, and then suddenly the game is on a service you didn't even know you needed. One week it's CBS, the next it’s a random Thursday on Amazon, and then you’re scrambling to find a login for a game that’s supposedly "local" but somehow blacked out.
It’s annoying. I get it.
Honestly, the way NFL broadcasting rights work in 2026 is a mess of billion-dollar contracts that leave fans holding five different remote controls. If you're living in the heart of Boston, your path is pretty straightforward. If you’re a Pats fan living in, say, Arizona or Florida? You’re in for a much more expensive ride.
The Local Fan Strategy: Streaming in New England
If you’re physically located in the New England market—think Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and parts of Connecticut—you have the easiest "where can i stream the patriots" solution. Most of the games are still on CBS, which is the home of the AFC.
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Basically, you need Paramount+. Specifically, the Paramount+ Premium (now often called Showtime tier) allows you to stream your local CBS affiliate live. It’s the bread and butter of the season.
But CBS isn't the only player. For those Sunday Night Football matchups against rivals like the Bills or the Jets, you’ll need Peacock. NBC owns those rights, and they don't share. Then there’s the Amazon Prime factor. Ever since Amazon took over Thursday Night Football, at least one game a year—like the Week 11 clash against the Jets—is locked behind that Prime wall.
- Paramount+: Your go-to for the bulk of Sunday afternoon games.
- Peacock: Required for Sunday Night primetime slots.
- Prime Video: The exclusive home of Thursday Night Football.
- Fox One: A newer player that handles the occasional cross-flex game where the Pats play an NFC team.
How to Stream if You’re Out-of-Market
This is where it gets pricey. If you aren't in New England, those local CBS and Fox broadcasts won't show the Patriots; they’ll show whatever team is local to you. You've probably heard of NFL Sunday Ticket.
In 2026, YouTube TV still holds the keys to this kingdom. You can buy Sunday Ticket as an add-on to a YouTube TV subscription or as a standalone "Primetime Channel" on YouTube. It is the only legal way to see every single out-of-market Sunday afternoon game.
Fair warning: it’s a gut punch to the wallet. Returning users are looking at roughly $480 for the season. If you’re a student, though, there’s a massive loophole. The student discount usually drops that price down to around $119, which is arguably the best deal in sports streaming.
The NFL+ Catch: What Nobody Tells You
I see a lot of people recommending NFL+ because it’s cheap (around $6.99 a month). But there is a huge caveat. You can only watch live local and primetime games on a mobile device or tablet.
You cannot beam that live game to your 65-inch TV.
It’s perfect if you’re stuck at a wedding or working a Sunday shift and need to watch on your phone. If you want to watch on a big screen, NFL+ is only useful for the NFL+ Premium tier, which gives you full game replays right after the broadcast ends. It’s great for the "film junkies" who want the All-22 coaches' film, but it's not a great solution for live-action junkies who want the big-screen experience.
The "Cable Replacement" Heavy Hitters
If you want to stop hunting for individual apps and just want a "set it and forget it" option, the live TV streaming services are your best bet.
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Fubo is probably the most sports-centric. It carries CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. In 2026, they’ve added more specialized regional sports networks too. The downside? It’s basically the same price as cable now, often hitting $85 or more after all the "regional sports fees" they tack on.
YouTube TV is the more balanced choice, especially because of the Sunday Ticket integration. It has a "Multiview" feature that lets you watch four games at once—which is incredible for fantasy football players—but it lacks some of the niche sports channels you find on Fubo.
Then there’s Sling TV. It’s the "budget" pick, but it’s risky for Patriots fans. Sling Blue has Fox and NBC in select markets, and Sling Orange has ESPN. But it doesn't carry CBS at all. To get your Sunday afternoon Pats fix on Sling, you’d still have to pair it with an antenna or a Paramount+ sub.
Watching the Playoffs and Super Bowl LX
Since we are currently in the thick of the 2025-2026 postseason cycle, the rules change slightly. The NFL spreads the playoff wealth.
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For the Divisional Round and the AFC Championship, Paramount+ is your best friend because CBS usually handles the AFC side of the bracket. However, Super Bowl LX (scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium) is an NBC broadcast. That means you’ll need Peacock or a live TV service that carries NBC to watch the big game.
A Practical Checklist for Pats Fans
Don't just start subbing to everything. Use this logic to save some cash:
- Check your zip code: If you're in New England, buy a $20 digital antenna first. You might get 80% of the games for free in HD.
- Evaluate your "Must-Haves": If you only care about the Pats and no other teams, and you live out of market, Sunday Ticket is your only choice.
- The Prime Factor: Check the schedule. If the Patriots have already played their Thursday night game, don't bother subbing to Amazon just for football.
- Use the Trials: Most of these services (Fubo, YouTube TV, Paramount+) offer 7-day trials. If the Pats are on a weird network for just one week, use the trial and cancel it on Monday.
The most efficient setup right now for a "displaced" fan is likely a combination of the YouTube TV base plan (for local/primetime) and the Sunday Ticket add-on. For the local fan, a digital antenna paired with a Peacock sub for those few NBC games is the cheapest path to victory.
Check your local listings for the upcoming weekend. If the game is on CBS, ensure your Paramount+ app is updated and logged in at least 15 minutes before kickoff to avoid the "subscription verification" lag that always seems to happen right at the coin toss.