Canada has a huge NFL audience, and Sunday football is one of the last things keeping many households on cable. You don't need it. Here's how NFL rights work in Canada, every official option, and where IPTV fits for cord-cutters.
Who shows the NFL in Canada
- CTV, TSN and RDS (Bell Media) hold Canadian broadcast rights to many games, including the national windows and the Super Bowl. RDS covers games in French.
- DAZN is the NFL's streaming partner in Canada and carries a large share of games live, including Sunday afternoon games that aren't on Canadian TV in your area.
- US networks such as CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC air games in the United States, and many Canadians near the border have always watched those feeds.
Simultaneous substitution, briefly
When a Canadian channel and an American channel air the same program at the same time, Canadian cable and satellite providers are required to substitute the Canadian signal over the American one. It's why Canadians watching on cable usually see Canadian commercials, including during the Super Bowl. Internet-delivered channels aren't always handled the same way, which is why some cord-cutters notice they're watching the US feed.
Your options without cable
| Option | What you get | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna | CTV and US network games if you're near the border | Depends on your location and reception |
| DAZN | Most regular-season games live, plus RedZone-style coverage | Separate subscription; some games shown on Canadian TV are excluded |
| TSN+ / CTV app | Games broadcast by Bell Media | Only Bell's share |
| IPTV service | Canadian and US networks and sports channels in one guide | Quality and licensing vary by provider |
Planning a Sunday
A typical NFL Sunday runs from 1 p.m. to past 11 p.m. Eastern: early games, late-afternoon games and Sunday Night Football. For a full day of football on IPTV:
- Favourite the channels carrying your team and the national games.
- Wire the main TV to the router; you'll be streaming for ten hours.
- Use a second screen for a second game if you have a multi-screen plan.
- Check event channels a few minutes before kick-off in case a game has moved.
Don't forget the CFL
The CFL season runs from June to the Grey Cup in November, largely on TSN and RDS, and it's a very different game: three downs, a bigger field and a rouge. If you're setting up for football anyway, add your local team to your favourites. Our city pages for Winnipeg, Hamilton and Calgary cover the local sides.
College football
US college football runs on Saturdays from late August to January, spread across US national networks and conference channels. It's one of the areas where an IPTV lineup with a deep US sports section is noticeably more complete than the official Canadian options.
For general set-up advice, see our IPTV for sports guide.
Questions
What is the best way to watch every NFL game in Canada?
DAZN is the official service for watching most NFL games live in Canada. Canadian broadcasters CTV, TSN and RDS carry selected games. An IPTV service carrying Canadian and US networks is another option.
Why do I see Canadian ads during the Super Bowl?
Because of simultaneous substitution: when a Canadian and US channel air the same program at the same time, Canadian cable and satellite providers replace the US signal with the Canadian one, ads included.
Can I watch the NFL in French?
Yes. RDS broadcasts NFL games in French, and French-language sports channels are part of our lineup.