ESPN returned to YouTube TV on November 14, 2025, after YouTube and Disney reached a new agreement. If you prepaid for NFL Sunday Ticket and still cannot watch, first check which account bought it and whether your purchase was a YouTube TV add-on or a standalone YouTube Primetime Channel membership. If you canceled YouTube TV and your add-on stopped working, contact YouTube customer support; the guidance reported at the time was to ask support to restore access.
What happened to ESPN on YouTube TV?
YouTube announced on November 14, 2025, that it had reached an agreement with Disney. ABC, ESPN, FX, and other channels were set to return over the course of that day, along with recordings in subscribers’ Libraries. YouTube’s announcement confirms the blackout was resolved. If ESPN is still missing from your account, treat that as an account or playback issue rather than assuming the 2025 blackout is ongoing.
Does NFL Sunday Ticket include ESPN?
No. Sunday Ticket and ESPN are separate viewing entitlements. Sunday Ticket covers eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon regular-season games. It does not include local games or national broadcasts such as Monday Night Football on ESPN. YouTube’s Sunday Ticket coverage guide explains which games are included.
So if the game you want is airing nationally on ESPN, Sunday Ticket will not unlock it. You need access to ESPN through your TV service or another authorized option. If the game is an eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon matchup, troubleshoot the Sunday Ticket membership itself.
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Check which Sunday Ticket membership you bought
YouTube offers Sunday Ticket in two formats. The difference matters if you canceled YouTube TV:
| Purchase format | Does it require an active YouTube TV plan? | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV Sunday Ticket add-on | Yes. Current terms require an active YouTube TV plan to access the add-on membership. YouTube’s add-on terms | YouTube TV channels plus eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Sunday Ticket does not add ESPN or local and national broadcasts. YouTube’s coverage guide |
| Standalone Sunday Ticket through YouTube Primetime Channels | No. It does not depend on maintaining a YouTube TV plan. YouTube’s terms | Eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games; it does not itself add ESPN or local and national broadcasts. YouTube’s coverage guide |
Check your purchase confirmation or account subscriptions to identify the format. Do not assume that buying Sunday Ticket means you have the standalone membership: an add-on is tied to the YouTube TV plan under the current terms.
Rank #2
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How to troubleshoot missing Sunday Ticket games
- Sign into the purchasing Google account. In YouTube or YouTube TV, confirm you are using the account that bought Sunday Ticket. YouTube’s troubleshooting guide says to verify the account used for the purchase.
- Confirm the game is covered. Sunday Ticket is for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon regular-season games, not local games or national broadcasts such as Monday Night Football on ESPN. Check the game’s broadcast and coverage before treating it as a missing entitlement.
- Check your playback location. In YouTube TV, verify or update your current playback area. If YouTube cannot identify your location, the help guide directs you to verify it on the web. Location information affects which games YouTube TV treats as local.
- Update the app and check your connection. YouTube TV Help recommends using the latest app version and a download speed of at least 7 Mbps for live streaming. This is YouTube’s recommendation, not a guarantee that every connection at that speed will play smoothly.
- If you canceled YouTube TV, contact support. On November 2, 2025, YouTube product communications manager Allison Toh told Tom’s Guide that users who canceled their YouTube TV plan and could no longer watch Sunday Ticket should contact customer support to restore access. Tom’s Guide reported that guidance. It is specific to the reported situation; support must assess your account, and the statement does not promise a particular remedy for every case.
If you missed an eligible game
YouTube says covered NFL games receive a 45-minute condensed video-on-demand replay. The replay is posted by midnight Eastern after the game and remains available until 11:59 p.m. the following Wednesday, according to YouTube TV Help. Availability is limited to games covered by Sunday Ticket.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ultra-speedy streaming: Roku Ultra is 30% faster than any other Roku player, delivering a lightning-fast interface and apps that launch in a snap.
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Rank #4
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
Rank #3
- The newest Fire TV experience (2026) – Our biggest update to Fire TV has a new, modern design that gets you to your entertainment fast. Browse dedicated content categories, pin more of your favorite apps, and get personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Spend less time scrolling, and more time watching.
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- Enjoy the show in 4K Ultra HD, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio.
- Fire TV Ambient Experience lets you display over 2,000 pieces of museum-quality art and photography.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
