Catch the 2018 Super Bowl: Viewing Options for Cable Subscribers and Cord-Cutters Alike

This Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots will clash at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, battling for the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LII — one of the biggest live sports spectacles of the year. In fact, across the United States, it ranks among the most-watched live television events overall.

Whether you tune in for the football action, the halftime show (this year headlined by Justin Timberlake), or the commercials and movie trailers, there’s truly something for everyone. Let’s face it — between viewing parties, crowded bars and restaurants, and the perfect excuse to eat, drink, and gather with loved ones, the Super Bowl feels almost like a national holiday.

To ensure you don’t miss a moment on game day, we’ve assembled this guide covering the top ways to watch online or via other means, no matter which device, service, or platform you prefer.

Viewing the 2018 Super Bowl: Cable or No Cable

NBC’s Official App

Date: Sunday, February 4Time: 3:30 p.m. PT / 6:30 p.m. ETLocation: U.S. Bank Stadium, MinneapolisMatchup: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots

NBC is broadcasting this year’s Super Bowl and offering straightforward, cost-free options for everyone to watch. Starting at noon PT on Sunday, February 4, NBC will stream 11 hours of Super Bowl coverage — including the pregame show, the game itself, the halftime show, all commercials, and even a post-game episode of This Is Us — via its NBC app and through browsers at NBC.com.

Normally, you’d need to verify your TV subscription by logging in with your provider’s credentials to access these streams, but those restrictions will be temporarily lifted on game day. Below are the simplest ways to reach the app. And if you’re after an alternative, keep scrolling — we’ve got you covered there too.

Smartphones and Tablets

For mobile devices, grabbing the NBC app for Android or iOS is a breeze. Alternatively, you can download the Yahoo Sports or NFL Mobile apps — both available on iOS and Android — to stream the game.

Web Browsers

As noted earlier, the free game-day stream at NBC.com or NBCSports.com is your best bet. If your laptop or desktop has an HDMI output, connecting it to your TV through your preferred browser is a free and simple solution. And if you own a Chromecast, you can cast the game from Google Chrome straight to your television. Effortless.

Streaming Devices and Game Consoles

The NBC app mentioned above is available on several streaming platforms, including Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku devices, and Xbox One. Just download the app on your device of choice and you’re set. PlayStation 4 owners, however, will need an active PlayStation Vue subscription (or a free trial) to watch the game. But don’t worry — we’ve got a solution for that below.

Live TV Streaming Services

Cord-cutters who subscribe to any of the many live TV streaming services — such as PlayStation Vue, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, DirecTV Now, YouTube TV, and others — can tune in, provided (and this is crucial) that NBC is available in their area and included in their channel lineup. Fortunately, each of these services offers a free trial period, typically lasting seven days or more — plenty of time to enjoy the game. Just remember that you’ll be charged for a month if you don’t cancel before the trial ends, so set a reminder now.

Another service worth considering is FuboTV, a rising live-streaming platform that focuses primarily on sports content. Subscribers can watch the Super Bowl on their local NBC affiliate, again assuming local channels are available in their market. While the service normally costs $20 for the first month and $45 per month thereafter, a seven-day trial is available for new users. You can sign up for the trial, watch the Super Bowl, and cancel before the free week ends — all at no cost.

Over-the-Air Antenna

If you have an HD antenna, you can have your cake and eat it too — as long as you receive NBC in your area, of course. Use this handy guide to check whether NBC is available at your location by entering your details. If you don’t already own an antenna, here are some excellent options to get you set up before kickoff. If time is tight, your local Best Buy or electronics store should carry at least one of our top picks.

Cable or Satellite

Alright, we know you already know this, but we had to include it for completeness. If you have a cable or satellite TV subscription, the simplest way to watch is through your local NBC Sports affiliate. This is arguably the most reliable option overall — no worries about internet speed or buffering, and no need to fuss with app downloads or browser windows.