Every Thursday night during the NFL season, millions of fans tune in to Thursday Night Football - and for the first time in years, it’s all on Prime Video. No cable. No satellite. Just your phone, tablet, smart TV, or computer. But if you’ve never streamed a game on Prime Video before, it’s not always obvious how to get started. Here’s exactly how to watch live NFL games on Prime Video in 2025, no matter where you are or what device you use.
What You Need to Watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video
You don’t need a special NFL subscription or a pricey sports package. All you need is an active Amazon Prime membership. That’s it. Prime Video includes Thursday Night Football as part of its standard benefits - no extra cost, no add-ons. If you’re already paying for Prime for free shipping or movies, you’re already set to watch the games.
But here’s the catch: Prime Video doesn’t show every NFL game. Only the Thursday night matchups, usually one per week from Week 2 through Week 17. The schedule is set by the NFL and announced each season. In 2025, that means 17 games total - all exclusive to Prime Video in the U.S. No other streaming service or TV network carries them live.
How to Start Streaming on Prime Video
Opening Prime Video and finding the game is simple - if you know where to look. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Open the Prime Video app on your device - this includes iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Xbox, PlayStation, or your web browser at primevideo.com.
- Look for the NFL banner at the top of the homepage. It usually says "Thursday Night Football" in bold red and white.
- Tap or click on the banner. You’ll see the current week’s game listing with kickoff time and teams.
- Click "Watch Now" up to 30 minutes before kickoff. The stream will start automatically.
If you don’t see the banner, use the search bar and type "Thursday Night Football" or the team names. The game will appear as a live event with a red "LIVE" tag. Don’t wait until kickoff - the stream can take 10-15 seconds to load, especially on slower connections.
Devices That Work Best
Prime Video works on almost everything, but some devices make the experience smoother:
- Fire TV Stick 4K - Best overall. Optimized for Prime Video with voice remote control and 4K HDR support.
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony) - Works well if they run Android TV or webOS. Update the Prime Video app regularly.
- Apple TV 4K - Reliable, but doesn’t support Dolby Atmos audio for NFL games.
- Mobile phones - Great for watching on the go. Use Wi-Fi to avoid data overages.
- Web browsers - Chrome, Edge, and Firefox work fine. Safari has occasional buffering issues on older Macs.
Pro tip: Avoid using older Roku models (like the Roku Express from 2017). They can’t handle 1080p60 streams reliably, and you’ll get choppy video during big plays.
Audio and Commentary Options
Prime Video doesn’t just show the game - it gives you choices. You can switch between two commentary teams:
- Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit - The main broadcast, with the same team that does Monday Night Football on ESPN.
- Thursday Night Football Radio Feed - A separate audio track with NFL Network’s radio crew. It’s perfect if you want to listen while cooking, working, or driving.
To switch audio, open the settings menu during the game (usually by pressing the center button on your remote or tapping the screen on mobile). Look for "Audio Options" and toggle between the two. The radio feed has no commercials and fewer interruptions - a favorite among hardcore fans.
What About Local Broadcasts and Blackouts?
There are no blackouts on Prime Video. Unlike traditional TV, you can watch every Thursday night game no matter where you live - even if your local team is playing. That’s a big change from the old days when you had to wait for a local station to pick up the game.
But here’s something important: If you’re outside the U.S., you can’t watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video. The rights are only valid in the United States, its territories, and U.S. military bases. Canadians, Australians, and Europeans won’t see the stream - even if they have Prime. Amazon doesn’t offer international NFL streaming on Prime Video in 2025.
Recording Games and Catching Up
Prime Video doesn’t let you pause or rewind live streams. But once the game ends, it’s available to watch again on-demand. You’ll find the full replay in the "NFL" section of Prime Video within 30 minutes of the final whistle. You can watch it as many times as you want, download it for offline viewing (on mobile only), or share the link with friends.
If you miss the live game, the replay includes all the same commentary and stats. No edits. No cuts. Just the full 60 minutes of action, including halftime and post-game interviews.
How It Compares to Other NFL Streaming Options
Prime Video isn’t the only way to stream NFL games, but it’s the only one that gives you Thursday nights for free with a Prime membership. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Service | Games Covered | Cost | Live Stream? | Replays? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Video | 17 Thursday Night Football games | Free with Prime | Yes | Yes |
| NFL+ (Basic) | Local + primetime games (mobile only) | $6.99/month | Yes (mobile) | Yes |
| NFL Sunday Ticket (YouTube) | All out-of-market Sunday games | $149/year | Yes | Yes |
| Paramount+ | One Sunday afternoon game per week | $9.99/month | Yes | Yes |
| FuboTV | Local channels + Thursday games (via NFL Network) | $79.99/month | Yes | Yes |
Prime Video wins on price and simplicity. You don’t need to juggle multiple apps or pay extra. Just open Prime Video on Thursday night and go.
Common Problems and Fixes
Most people get in without issues. But here are the top three problems and how to fix them:
- "Stream not available" message - Make sure you’re in the U.S. Check your Amazon account’s country setting. If you’re traveling, use a U.S. IP address via a VPN that supports streaming (like ExpressVPN or NordVPN).
- Buffering or lag - Run a speed test. You need at least 10 Mbps for HD, 25 Mbps for 4K. Switch to a wired connection if possible. Restart your router if the issue persists.
- App crashes or freezes - Update the Prime Video app. On Android and iOS, go to your app store. On smart TVs, go to Settings > Apps > Prime Video > Update.
If none of that works, try logging out and back into your Amazon account. Sometimes a simple refresh fixes the problem.
What’s New in 2025
This season, Prime Video added a few features fans asked for:
- Real-time stats overlay - Swipe up during the game to see player stats, down-and-distance, and time remaining without leaving the stream.
- Multi-view mode - Watch two games at once (only available on tablets and large screens). Perfect if you’re rooting for two teams.
- AI-powered highlights - After the game, Prime Video automatically cuts and tags the top 10 plays. No need to fast-forward.
These aren’t flashy gimmicks - they’re useful tools that make watching more engaging. The stats overlay, in particular, has become a favorite among fantasy football players who need quick updates during the game.
Is Prime Video the Best Way to Watch NFL?
For Thursday nights? Absolutely. No other service gives you 17 live NFL games with no extra cost, no ads during the game, and full replays included. If you’re a casual fan, it’s the easiest option. If you’re a hardcore fan, the radio feed and stats features make it worth your time.
Just remember: This only covers Thursday nights. If you want Sunday games, you’ll still need NFL Sunday Ticket or a live TV service. But for one night a week, Prime Video is the only thing you need.
Do I need Amazon Prime to watch Thursday Night Football on Prime Video?
Yes. You need an active Amazon Prime membership. It’s included with Prime - no extra fee. If you don’t have Prime, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial, but you’ll need to cancel before it ends if you don’t want to pay.
Can I watch Thursday Night Football on my phone without an app?
Yes. Just open your mobile browser and go to primevideo.com. Log in with your Amazon account, and you can stream the game directly in your browser. No download needed.
Is the audio better on Prime Video than TV?
It depends. Prime Video offers Dolby Atmos audio on compatible devices, which gives you immersive sound - especially during crowd noise and big hits. Traditional TV broadcasts are usually stereo or 5.1. If you have a soundbar or home theater system, Prime Video’s audio will sound noticeably better.
Can I share my Prime Video NFL stream with friends?
Yes. Amazon allows up to three simultaneous streams per Prime account. So if you have a house full of fans, everyone can watch together - as long as you’re all logged into your account. You can also share your screen via AirPlay or Chromecast to cast to a TV.
What if I miss the live game? Can I still watch it later?
Yes. Every Thursday Night Football game is available for replay within 30 minutes after the final whistle. You can watch it anytime, anywhere - even offline if you download it to your phone or tablet. The replay includes the full broadcast, including commercials and halftime.
Are all Thursday Night Football games on Prime Video?
Yes. Since 2022, Amazon has held exclusive U.S. streaming rights to all Thursday Night Football games. No other platform - not ESPN, not NFL Network, not YouTube TV - can show them live. Prime Video is the only place to watch them in the U.S.
Next Steps
Ready to watch? Open Prime Video right now. Check the schedule for the upcoming Thursday night game. Make sure your device is updated. And if you’re unsure whether you have Prime, go to amazon.com/prime and check your membership status. It takes less than a minute - and you’ll be ready to go when kickoff arrives.