The highly anticipated 2017-18 NFL season gets underway on Friday, September 8 (AEST) (Thursday, September 7). This is The Roar’s complete guide on how to watch every match so that you won’t miss a moment.
Reigning champions the New England Patriots will have the honour of hosting the first game in 2017-18, when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
While that game kicks off at 10:30am (AEST) on Friday morning, there are generally 16 games per week across a 17-week regular season, followed by the playoffs. They culminate in the Super Bowl, which is set to be played on Sunday, February 4 – Monday, February 5 (AEST) at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota.
There are 16 matches played in every round, with 32 teams making up the competition. Generally, most matches are played on a Sunday afternoon in the USA, making it Monday morning here in Australia.
On top of that, a Thursday night match (Friday morning AEST) and Monday night (Tuesday morning AEST) are played in each round.
Two channels share broadcasting responsibilities for the NFL in Australia, although this still won’t go close to showing every match of the season.
ESPN, a Foxtel Sports channel, are the primary broadcaster. They will carry up to three matches per week, and will generally broadcast across three days – being Friday, Sunday and Monday.
Network Seven will generally carry the same games as ESPN, broadcast on 7Mate, which can be found on station No.73.
The best way to stream every match of the NFL live in Australia is by using the NFL Game Pass. This allows you to not only live stream all 256 games throughout the season, but to also replay matches on demand and watch extra content. It also gives you access to the NFL’s 24/7 network.
The price is a little steep, coming in at $279.99 for the season. This can be paid as a one-off sum, or in three instalments. There is also a free trial for new customers.
For those matches being broadcast on ESPN, you’ll be able to use Foxtel’s streaming services, either Foxtel Now or the Foxtel app to stream matches.
The Foxtel app is best to use if you already have a valid TV subscription, while Now is a separate streaming service offered by Foxtel.
For those matches being broadcast on Channel Seven, The Roar has been unable to confirm if they are able to be streamed on their Plus7 application, which is accessible on mobile, tablet and desktop.
(Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
How to watch the match on TV
Foxtel offers the best choice of live sport from Australia and around the world.Sport on Foxtel’s iQ3 is the championship viewing experience including HD quality, the ability to record your favourite team and shows, as well as stream live sport anytime, anywhere on your favourite devices with the Foxtel app^ included in your subscription.
How to live stream the match online
Stream the best choice of live sport from Australia and around the world instantly with Foxtel Now. Foxtel Now is the more flexible and accessible way to stream live sport to your devices. Plus, you can start watching today with a two-week free trial^.If you already have a Foxtel subscription that includes the Sport pack, you can stream live sport anytime, anywhere to your devices through the free Foxtel app~.
^Requires internet and compatible device. Data charges may apply. Australia only.
~Just connect your compatible device to the internet. Data charges may apply. Shows only available if they’re in your pack, some shows/channels not available. Sorry, Australia only.
Hey, supercoach? Choose your own ultimate NFL team and compete with other players for cash prizes in daily competitions on any match. If you’re after the best odds on the NFL, PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The extraordinary episodes after his life as an American Football hero quite overshadowed the career of O.J. Simpson, who has died at the age…
The Kansas City Chiefs, steered brilliamtly at the end by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, downed the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to secure…
San Francisco 49ers will make their eighth appearance in the Super Bowl after a stellar season from a team stacked with real talent across the whole line-up.
The Chiefs are no longer strangers to playing matches in February. What was once a multi-generational 50-year drought has become an almost yearly tradition.
Daniel Faalele and Mitch Wishnowsky have kept their Super Bowl dreams alive, with Baltimore and San Francisco winning the divisional round playoff.
Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to his 24-year…
