The next Super Bowl, Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, airs on ABC and ESPN, the first time the game has been simulcast across both networks.
You can watch it free over the air with an antenna on your local ABC station, stream it on the ESPN app and services that carry ABC and ESPN, or follow along on NFL+ on mobile. The game is set for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The Super Bowl rotates networks every year, so the channel changes depending on the edition. Here is who is carrying the next game, how to stream it without cable, and how to watch the biggest broadcast of the year for free.
What Channel Is the Super Bowl On?
Super Bowl LXI is on ABC and ESPN. It is the first Super Bowl ever to air on ESPN and the first on ABC since 2006, and the two sister networks are simulcasting the game together. That is a change from recent years, because the NFL’s current 11-year media deal rotates the Super Bowl across four partners: CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC/ESPN. The previous edition, Super Bowl LX in February 2026, aired on NBC.
For the 2027 game, that means two ways to find it on traditional TV. Your local ABC affiliate carries the broadcast, and ESPN carries the simulcast on cable and streaming. Both show the same game, called by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in their first Super Bowl for ESPN.
| Provider | ABC | ESPN | Carries Super Bowl LXI? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirecTV | Local affiliate | Ch. 206 | Yes |
| Dish | Local affiliate | Ch. 140 | Yes |
| Xfinity | Local affiliate | Varies by market | Yes |
| Spectrum | Local affiliate | Varies by market | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Included | Included | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | Included | Included | Yes |
| Fubo | Included | Included | Yes |
| Sling | Not carried | Sling Orange | ESPN yes; ABC not on Sling |
How to Watch the Super Bowl Without Cable
You have more cord-free options for the Super Bowl than for almost any other game. The standalone ESPN app sells a direct subscription that carries the live ESPN channel, so you can stream the simulcast with no cable package. Live-TV services including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry both ABC and ESPN in most markets, and Sling Orange carries ESPN.
NFL+ also streams the game on phones and tablets, and ESPN is offering a ManningCast alternate broadcast for LXI. If you are setting up streaming for the season and the big game, our guide to watching live TV online breaks down which services carry ABC and ESPN together.
Is the Super Bowl Free to Watch?
Yes, and this is the rare year where it is genuinely simple. Because Super Bowl LXI airs on ABC, and ABC is a free over-the-air broadcast network, a basic indoor antenna pulls in your local ABC affiliate at no cost in most of the country. That makes the antenna the cheapest way to watch the entire game in high definition with no subscription at all.
The streaming routes through ESPN or a live-TV service require a subscription, though free trials can cover the single day. The one thing to avoid is the wave of free-stream sites that surface around the game, which are pirated feeds that are unreliable and often unsafe.
When Is the Super Bowl and What Time Does It Start?
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff in the early evening Eastern time after several hours of pregame coverage. Because the matchup and exact kickoff are confirmed only once the playoffs conclude, check the official NFL Super Bowl page and ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage for the finalized teams, start time, and halftime details closer to the date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the Super Bowl on?
The next Super Bowl, LXI on February 14, 2027, is on ABC and ESPN, simulcast across both networks. You can watch the ABC broadcast free with an antenna or the ESPN simulcast through cable and streaming. The carrying network rotates each year.
What channel is the Super Bowl on this year?
For the 2027 edition it is ABC and ESPN. The Super Bowl rotates among CBS, Fox, NBC, and ABC/ESPN under the NFL’s current deal, so the network changes annually. The February 2026 game was on NBC, and the next one moves to ABC and ESPN.
What is the Super Bowl streaming on?
Super Bowl LXI streams on the ESPN app, on NFL+ for mobile, and on any live-TV service that carries ABC or ESPN, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling Orange. A ManningCast alternate stream is also available through ESPN.
Is the Super Bowl free to watch?
Yes, on broadcast TV. Because Super Bowl LXI airs on ABC, you can watch it free over the air with an antenna through your local ABC affiliate. Streaming on ESPN or a live-TV service requires a subscription, though a free trial can cover the day.
Can I watch the Super Bowl on ESPN?
Yes. Super Bowl LXI is the first Super Bowl to air on ESPN, simulcast with ABC. You can watch the ESPN feed through a cable or live-TV subscription, the standalone ESPN app, or services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and Sling Orange.
Where is Super Bowl LXI being played?
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027. It is the home stadium of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers and has hosted the Super Bowl before, most recently Super Bowl LVI in February 2022.
What time does the Super Bowl start?
Super Bowl kickoff typically lands in the early evening Eastern time, around 6:30pm ET, following extended pregame coverage. The exact start time for LXI is confirmed closer to the game, so check the official NFL and ESPN listings in the days beforehand.
Last updated: May 2026. We refresh this guide each year as the Super Bowl rotates networks.