What Are Out Of Market Nfl Games?

What Are Out of Market NFL Games?

Ever wanted to watch your favorite NFL team play but found the game wasn’t on your local TV channels? That’s because of “out-of-market” NFL games. These are the games that are broadcast outside of the area where the teams are based. Let’s explore this in detail, so you can get to cheering on your team, no matter where they’re playing!

Understanding NFL Market Areas

To truly get what “out-of-market” means, first, let’s talk about “in-market” games. Each NFL team has a designated geographical area, or “market,” where their games are most often televised. These markets are based on where the team is located and where they have the most fans. If you live within a team’s market, you’ll typically see their games on your local channels, like CBS, Fox, or NBC. These are the networks that hold the broadcasting rights for certain games each week.

Home Market vs. Away Market

It’s helpful to think about it in terms of home and away. When your local team plays at their home stadium, that’s a home game and will be aired in their market. When they travel to play another team, that’s an away game. Usually, the local market of the away team will also broadcast the game, as it would be considered “in-market” for their fans. Understanding that distinction is the first step in grasping “out-of-market”.

For example, if you live in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you are in the Green Bay Packers’ market. You’ll see most of their games on your local channels. If you live in Dallas, Texas, you are in the Dallas Cowboys’ market. You’ll catch the Cowboys on local networks. Simple enough, right?

The Challenge of Out-of-Market Games

Now, here’s the snag: what if you’re a big Packers fan living in Dallas? Or a Cowboys fan living in Green Bay? The games aren’t usually broadcast on your local channels. This is where the concept of out-of-market games comes in. They are games that are outside of the viewing area assigned to your local TV providers.

Think of it like this: TV networks have deals with the NFL to show certain games in certain areas. It is all part of a larger network of agreements. These contracts ensure the local channels broadcast those teams that most of their viewers want to see. That’s why we have in-market broadcasts. But if you want to watch a team that’s not “local” for you, you’re facing an out-of-market scenario.

Why Are Some Games Out of Market?

So, why don’t they just show every game everywhere? Several factors are at play:

• Broadcasting Rights: Networks like CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN pay a lot of money to show NFL games. They have contracts that give them exclusive rights to broadcast certain games in certain areas. This protects their investment and keeps things organized.
• Local Interest: TV channels want to show the games that are most likely to be watched by the people in their area. Showing local team games often gives higher viewer numbers.
• Promoting Attendance: If all games were shown everywhere, it might discourage people from going to the games in person, which is also not good for the NFL. Localized broadcasts encourages people to attend in their own market.

How to Watch Out-of-Market NFL Games

Don’t worry, just because a game is out-of-market doesn’t mean you can’t see it. There are a few ways to catch those games, even if they’re not on your usual TV channels.

NFL Sunday Ticket

One of the most popular options for accessing out-of-market games is NFL Sunday Ticket. This is a subscription service that allows you to watch every out-of-market game, every Sunday. It’s a great option for the serious NFL fan who wants to follow multiple teams or their favorite team no matter where they live. However, it has a big caveat: it usually only comes with a subscription to certain TV providers. So, you’ll have to check that you qualify for this add-on. Previously, DirecTV was the sole provider of NFL Sunday Ticket. However, this has changed recently.

NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube

Good news! As of 2023, NFL Sunday Ticket is now available through YouTube and YouTube TV. This means you can subscribe and watch all those out-of-market games without being tied to a specific TV provider. There’s a separate subscription required for each. This is great news for those who might not have had access in previous years. However, do bear in mind that this is still an additional subscription cost.

Streaming Services

Many different streaming services are becoming more widely available for watching live sports. While most streaming services only carry in-market games (because they’re using local networks’ feeds), some of them, like YouTube TV, are starting to offer out-of-market games as add-on options. However, it’s crucial to verify the specifics offered in your area, as these can change. Some streaming services do offer NFL RedZone as an add-on, which can be a fun way to watch key moments from a lot of different games as they happen.

Using a VPN (Caution!)

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a technology that can make it seem like you are using the internet from a different location. Some people use VPNs to try to access out-of-market games. While technically possible, this is very much a grey area, and many streaming and service providers actively try to block VPNs. Using a VPN could potentially lead to your subscription being cancelled. It is important to note that some streaming services and providers have terms of service that specifically say not to use VPNs. If you do, your service may be cut off. We advise doing some further research before using a VPN for this purpose.

Bars and Restaurants

Another option to consider is going out to a sports bar or restaurant. Many of these establishments subscribe to special sports packages that show a wide range of games, including out-of-market games. This can be a fun way to enjoy the game with other fans. This can be a social option, but you’ll have to factor in cost and travel to get to the bar or restaurant in question. Additionally, it is not an ideal choice if you want to watch from the comfort of your own home.

Why NFL Sunday Ticket Is a Popular Choice

While NFL Sunday Ticket might come with an extra subscription fee, it is often the go-to option for dedicated fans. Here’s why:

• Full Access: It offers every single out-of-market game. No more missing out!
• Convenience: You can watch games on your TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
• Choice: You can pick the game you want to watch. Never miss a moment of your favorite team’s games.
• Ideal for Die-Hards: If you follow a team that’s not local, or if you’re just a big fan who likes to watch a lot of football, this is a service for you.

Important Things to Consider

Before you decide how you’ll be watching those out-of-market NFL games, keep these important points in mind:

• Cost: Subscriptions to services like NFL Sunday Ticket can be expensive, and so are streaming packages that carry out-of-market games as an add-on. Consider your budget, and how many games you’re actually going to watch.
• Availability: Check to see what services are available in your area. Not all services have the same deals across the entire country.
• Your Viewing Habits: If you only want to watch one or two games per week, or just your favorite team, it might be more cost-effective to go to a sports bar or find a friend with the right subscriptions than it is to subscribe for the season.
• Internet Speed: If you’re going to be streaming games, make sure you have good internet speed, or you’ll experience frequent buffering and lag.

In-Market vs. Out-of-Market: A Quick Comparison

Let’s recap the key differences in a clear way:

Understanding the difference between in-market and out-of-market games can be a little complicated at first, but once you understand the basics, it will be much easier to follow your favorite team. In short, it all comes down to location, broadcast rights and how the NFL tries to encourage attendance.