Some football fans will spend hundreds to stream the game
Some football fans will spend hundreds to stream the game
New data indicates that nearly a third of football fans are willing to spend big to watch the game.
The NFL and college football seasons are in full swing, and this year, fans have more ways to watch games than ever. The ESPN and Fox One streaming services are now available, giving viewers access to a large selection of games from both leagues outside the cable bundle. However, the cost is high; these services cost $20 per month or more, and that’s more or less the trend among streamers that partner with top football leagues. New data from AnalyticsIQ, as reported by Sports Business Journal, shows the average football fan is aware of the cost. Still, many are willing to spend majorly to ensure access.
Key Details:
- Open wallets: Thirty percent of football fans are willing to spend $200 or more per month on streamers.
- Spread your feathers: Peacock was the most preferred destination of these fans.
- Sunday Ticket synergy: YouTube TV is the most-used streamer after Peacock for football fans.
AnalyticsIQ says that “one of the four major U.S. men’s leagues” is counted among their clients and has accumulated 8,000 to 12,000 responses to its survey.
The data from AnalyticsIQ shows that approximately 30% of football fans in the United States are not only willing, but likely to spend more than $200 per month on streaming services. Their most preferred destination is Peacock. which offers Notre Dame and Big Ten football on the college side, and “Sunday Night Football” from the NFL each week.
That number is hardly surprising, considering how many NFL games are streaming-only this year. Netflix, Peacock, and ESPN+ are all hosting exclusive NFL games in 2025, and of course, Prime Video is the only place for national audiences to watch “Thursday Night Football,” and the expenses can add up fast.
Peacock is the most preferred streaming destination among football fans, followed by YouTube TV, Apple TV+, Disney+, and Netflix. YouTube TV offers access to a huge amount of college and pro football games in its channel package — not to mention its ownership of NFL Sunday Ticket distribution rights — but the next two streamers on the list don’t have any regular football broadcasts — though Disney+ does occasionally stream games simulcast from ESPN platforms or via special animated presentations.
The data also shows that football fans are on average 476.8 years old, and spend 7.8% more annually on discretionary items than the average consumer. They’re also 65.1% more likely to use AI than average, suggesting a more tech-forward approach in general, which is good news for streamers that want to woo football fans.
The NFL is likely to opt out of its TV deals in 2029, and if it does that programmers are going to have to pay much more for the league’s rights. Those costs will no doubt be passed to consumers, so the price tag for streaming football is only going up in the future. Nevertheless, the data from AnalyticsIQ shows that fans are willing to pay big to watch their favorite sport.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.