This Sunday, NRG Stadium in Houston will host the country’s biggest annual sporting event: the Super Bowl. This year, Super Bowl LI (that’s 51, for those who don’t study their Roman numerals) will feature the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons, in what promises to be a high-octane contest that pits the top offense in the NFC (the Falcons) against the top offense in the AFC (the Patriots).
This year, Fox has exclusive rights to the live broadcast, and the network will give fans — including those without a cable subscription, or even a TV — several options for watching the big game in high definition. Whether you plan to tune in using your smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV, we’ve got you covered. Even if you’re just tuning in for the commercials or the spectacle that is bound to be Lady Gaga’s halftime performance, keep reading to find out how to watch Super Bowl LI in style.
As previously mentioned, Fox owns the rights to this year’s Super Bowl, which means you’ll want to navigate to whichever channel Fox is on at 3:30 p.m. PST. The exact channel depends on your location and your cable or satellite provider, but this is the preferred option for the best quality and stability — not to mention unhindered access to those oh-so-important commercials.
If you’re not a cable customer but you can grab a digital antenna, enter your address on this page to find out which channel Fox is currently being broadcast over in your local area. The antenna option may not be as stable as cable, but in some cases the broadcast digital HD signal may even be higher quality than what your satellite or cable provider serves up. You can find an excellent list of digital antennas here.
This year, Fox is offering live HD streams of the game at FoxSportsGo.com, even if you don’t have a cable subscription. This means that every major browser — including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, and Safari — should have no problem displaying the stream, assuming your software is up to date. The football gods are benevolent, and, apparently, they want you to glue your eyes to the field on Sunday.
Last year, most everyone with a tablet or set-top streaming device was able to watch the game for free using CBS’s Sports app. This year, the names have changed, but the method stays the same. Instead of CBS Sports, you’ll want to download the Fox Sports Go app on your iOS or Android device. Fox will be integrating local and national advertisements into the broadcast, so don’t worry about missing those hilarious Super Bowl commercials.
Most big-name devices, including the Apple TV, Chromecast, and various Roku devices are compatible with the app, and you won’t need to pilfer your parents’ login information to gain access. Every bone-crunching tackle and each close-up of Tom Brady looking bored are yours for the viewing — no strings attached. Below is a list of compatible devices.
Although fans can watch the game via the Fox Sports Go app on tablets, smartphones are a different story. Due to Verizon’s exclusivity agreement with the NFL, the only way to stream Super Bowl LI on your smartphone is by downloading the official NFL Mobile app — and even then, you’ll need to be a Verizon customer.
The small screen certainly isn’t ideal, but for fans unable to find their way to a living room or dive bar, it might be the only option. Just keep an eye on your data usage.
Related Posts
You can now enjoy Substack on a TV, if that’s your idea of fun times
The app, which has just rolled out for Apple TV and Google TV, basically takes the video content and livestreams from the creators you already subscribe to and splashes them onto the biggest screen in your house. It is a smart, calculated move toward what the tech industry calls a "lean-back" experience. Instead of hunching over a laptop or squinting at a smartphone screen to watch a forty-minute interview or a deep-dive lecture, you can now throw it on the TV while you cook dinner, fold laundry, or just relax on the couch.
Wondering if YouTube TV is worth it? This new promo will help you decide without hurting your wallet
Typically, YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial, after which subscribers pay $82.99 per month for the streaming service. Under the new promotion, subscribers can enjoy a 10-day free trial and pay just $59.99 per month for the first two months.
Netflix’s latest move is huge for movie theaters, and fantastic for you and I
In April 2025, Sarandos previously stated that he loved theaters but thought that theatrical moviegoing is an “outmoded idea, for most people, not for everybody.” As a result, Netflix's purchase of Warner Bros. ignited backlash and fears over the film industry's future.