How To Watch the Detroit Lions Live Anywhere Without Cable 2025

Check out the best streaming services to watch the Detroit Lions this season, from the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers to key matchups.
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Last season, the Detroit Lions clinched the number one seed in their division for the first time since 1993 after beating the Minnesota Vikings 31-9. After getting a bye for the Wild Card Weekend, the Lions were back in the NFC Divisional Round, facing off against the Washington Commanders on January 18, 2025. But Lions fans were disappointed when Detroit lost 45-31 against Washington, marking the Lions' final game of the 2024-25 season. 

Now, we're ready for a new NFL season. This guide will explore the various ways you can watch all Detroit Lions games live without needing a cable subscription. We’ll cover the best streaming options to ensure you don’t miss any action, from the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers to key matchups like the Week 11 road game against reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Whether you’re a local fan or following from afar, you’ll find all the information you need to stay connected with the Lions throughout the season.

In this article
What channels do you need to watch the Detroit Lions?
How to stream Detroit Lions games
Watch out-of-market games
FAQs
Bottom line

What channels do you need to watch the Detroit Lions?

To keep up with every Detroit Lions game, you'll need to know which channels will be airing each matchup. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule for this upcoming season.

Game (All times Eastern) Opponent Channel
Hall of Fame Game: Jul. 31 at 8:00 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers NBC
Preseason Week 1, Game 1: Aug. 8 at 7:00 p.m. @ Atlanta Falcons Lions TV Network
Preseason Week 2, Game 2: Aug. 16 at 1:00 p.m. Miami Dolphins Lions TV Network
Preseason Week 3, Game 3: Aug. 23 at 1:00 p.m. Houston Texans Lions TV Network
Week 1, Game 1: Sep. 7 at 4:25 p.m. @ Green Bay Packers CBS
Week 2, Game 2: Sep. 14 at 1:00 p.m. Chicago Bears FOX
Week 3, Game 3: Sep. 22 at 8:15 p.m. @ Baltimore Ravens ESPN/ABC
Week 4, Game 4: Sep. 28 at 1:00 p.m. Cleveland Browns FOX
Week 5, Game 5: Oct. 5 at 4:25 p.m. @ Cincinnati Bengals FOX
Week 6, Game 6: Oct. 12 at 8:20 p.m. @ Kansas City Chiefs NBC
Week 7, Game 7: Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Buccaneers ESPN/ABC
Week 8: BYE WEEK
Week 9, Game 8: Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. Minnesota Vikings FOX
Week 10, Game 9: Nov. 9 at 4:25 p.m. @ Washington Commanders FOX
Week 11, Game 10: Nov. 16 at 8:20 p.m. @ Philadelphia Eagles NBC
Week 12, Game 11: Nov. 23 at 1:00 p.m. New York Giants FOX
Week 13, Game 12: Nov. 27 at 1:00 p.m. Green Bay Packers FOX
Week 14, Game 13: Dec. 4 at 8:15 p.m. Dallas Cowboys Prime Video
Week 15, Game 14: Dec. 14 at 4:25 p.m. @ Los Angeles Rams FOX
Week 16, Game 15: Dec. 21 at 4:25 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers CBS
Week 17, Game 16: Dec. 25 at 4:30 p.m. @ Minnesota Vikings Netflix
Week 18, Game 17: Jan. 3/4 TBD @ Chicago Bears TBD

How to stream Detroit Lions games

To guarantee you don’t miss a single Lions game live, you will need to have subscriptions to a variety of streaming services. YouTube TV offers a comprehensive package with access to CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, which cover the majority of NFL games.

On top of this, you can add the NFL Sunday Ticket to your YouTube TV subscription for an extra fee to catch out-of-market games.

Some NFL games this season will be exclusively available on streaming platforms like Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix. These services will feature select matchups, including prime-time and holiday games, making them essential for dedicated fans.

Watching the Detroit Lions with YouTube TV

YouTube TV is by-far the most comprehensive option for streaming NFL games live. You’ll get access to all local channels, plus the option to add on NFL Sunday Ticket for an additional fee, which will even grant access to out-of-market games.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive options.

Cost What it includes
YouTube TV $59.99/mo (first two months), then $82.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket $117.49 per month (after promo period for new users) NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, out-of-market Sunday games

Watching the Detroit Lions with Hulu

Hulu + Live TV is another excellent choice for streaming NFL games, providing access to top national and local sports networks like ABC, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FOX, FS1, TNT, and the NFL Network.

Cost What it includes
Hulu + Live TV (Ads) $82.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Hulu + Live TV (No ads) $95.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Watching the Detroit Lions with Fubo

Fubo is another comprehensive service that will give you access to ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and many more. This can guarantee you can watch all the in-market and nationally televised NFL games.

Cost What it includes
Pro $64.99/mo for first month, $84.99 after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Elite $89.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K)
Deluxe $109.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K + Paramount)

Watching the Detroit Lions with DIRECTV Stream

DIRECTV Streaming also offers access to all the major networks that broadcast NFL games. With its basic package starting around $79.99/mo, you'll have access to networks such as ABC, NBC, and ESPN.

If you want to catch games on the NFL Network, you’ll need to go with the Choice plan or higher.

Cost What it includes
Entertainment $79.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN
Choice $59.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Ultimate $84.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Premier $124.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Watching out-of-market games

Catching every Detroit Lions game may be an obstacle if you don't live within the local broadcast area. This is due to the NFL's regional broadcasting rules.

Whether you're elsewhere in the U.S. or on the other side of the planet, there are fortunately several ways to ensure you don’t miss any of the Lions’ out-of-market action.

Subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket

NFL Sunday Ticket is designed to help fans watch out-of-market games that aren’t broadcast on their local channels. This service is perfect for fans living outside the local area.

This option is sold exclusively from YouTube TV and you have two pricing options:

  • NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV: $349/yr (or 4 payments of $87.25/mo)
  • NFL Sunday Ticket only: $449/yr (or 4 payments of $112.25/mo)

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to mask your location by connecting to a server in a different geographic region, helping you bypass regional restrictions and access content as if you were in a different location.

So if a game is not available in your region, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in an area where the game is being broadcast. This way, you can enjoy the game live without any interruptions.

One of the best VPNs for accessing out-of-market NFL games in the U.S. is Surfshark, which has servers all across the country.

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FAQs

How can I watch Detroit Lions games internationally?

If you're an international fan, watching Detroit Lions games can be seamless if you have access to the right services. Some excellent options include streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo.

If you are outside the U.S., you can simply use a VPN. This will allow you to mask your IP address and bypass geographic restrictions, making it appear as if you were stateside. Fans can also catch the games abroad (excluding China) on DAZN with the NFL Game Pass International.

How can I watch the Detroit Lions without Sunday Ticket?

Don’t worry — most Detroit Lions games are broadcast on major cable networks, including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. You can also use free NFL streaming platforms to watch games outside of your region.

How can I watch the Detroit Lions without cable?

Ditching your cable subscription doesn’t mean sacrificing your ability to watch Detroit Lions games. Consider opting for streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, or Sling TV. These platforms provide access to cable networks like CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN, which will broadcast most of the Lions' games.

Bottom line

To keep up with every Detroit Lions game this season, a combination of streaming services is essential. Subscribing to platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo provides access to the main networks broadcasting NFL games, including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN.

For those out-of-market games, adding NFL Sunday Ticket to your streaming lineup is the best way to ensure you don’t miss any games.

This setup will allow you to enjoy every thrilling moment of the Lions' journey through the season, whether you’re at home or on the road.

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Author Details
Ryan Clancy is a writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing tech down to a level that everyone can understand.
Kate is an Editor at All About Cookies. She has a decade of digital publishing experience and a background in EdTech. As a digital security expert, she leverages her passion for helping people to create authentic, well-researched content on a wide-range of digital privacy and security topics.