Can You Watch Bengals vs. Chiefs AFC Championship Game on ESPN+?

This Sunday, Jan 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET, the AFC’s top seed, the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs will host the No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium for the NFL’s 2023 AFC Championship Game. Since this game is a rematch of last year’s conference title game — and the fourth game between the two teams since the start of 2022 — there is a lot of intrigue and anticipation for this star-studded matchup. So, if you are used to streaming your sports on ESPN+, you might be wondering if the game will be available on the worldwide leader in sports’ streaming service.

Unfortunately, even though ESPN+ did broadcast its first exclusive game earlier this year and simulcast games during Wildcard Weekend, Sunday’s Bengals and Chiefs game will not be on the service. But, have no fear, because we are here to help you figure out the best way to stream the AFC Title Game, based on what you are looking for.

How to Watch the 2023 AFC Championship Game

Cut Cable? Here’s How Can You Stream the 2023 AFC Championship Game Between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs

Though ESPN is making more of its live sports programming available on its streaming service, the Bengals and Chiefs game is being broadcast on CBS, so it won’t be available to ESPN+ subscribers. However, that does not mean that there’s no way for cord-cutters to watch the game.

Since CBS is broadcasting the AFC Title Game, you do not have to subscribe to a cable or satellite service in order to watch it, because all NFL on CBS games are available with a 30-day free trial of Paramount+, whether you sign up for the ad-supported Essential and ad-free Premium plan; keep in mind that the game will have commercials even on the Premium plan, since it is just a simulcast of the CBS broadcast.

But, the downside to watching the AFC Championship Game on Paramount+ is the fact that CBS isn’t broadcasting the NFC Championship Game earlier in the day. Since the Eagles and 49ers game is airing on FOX, your best bet to watch both games is to go with a live TV streaming service, like DIRECTV STREAM, fuboTV, Hulu Live TV, or YouTube TV.

The Cheapest Live-Streaming Option:

For many people, cost is a major consideration when it comes to streaming. The least expensive way to stream the rest of the playoffs is with a subscription to Sling TV, which you can get for just $27.50 for your first month. A subscription to Sling Blue will cover the NFC game on FOX, but more importantly, since the network will also be the home of Super Bowl LVII in February, the 50% off your first-month offer will cover both remaining FOX games.

Of course, there is a downside to Sling TV, and that is that the service does not carry CBS, which means that you can’t watch the AFC Title Game on the service. But, when you pair it with Paramount+, which offers the seven-day free trial referenced above, you will be able to stream both conference championship games and the Super Bowl for a very fair price.

The Streamable’s Top Pick for Live Streaming:

However, if you are more in the mood for a free trial for both of Sunday’s games, we suggest DIRECTV STREAM. The service offers a five-day free trial and it comes with a number benefits beyond what Sling provides, primarily the fact that it has like the most major cable networks and sports channels of any live TV streaming service. While the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 falls outside of DIRECTV STREAM’s free-trial, you can still sign up now in order to stream both conference title games for free, and see if the service is a good fit and worth keeping for Super Bowl LVII and everything else it has to offer.

Other Free Trial Services:

Another solid live-streaming service option is the sports-centric fuboTV. The service’s rates start at $74.99 per month, after a seven-day free trial, and Fubo carries every NFL playoff game. Thanks to its focus on sports fans, fuboTV offers users a slew of regional sports networks (RSNs) in order to watch MLB, NBA, and NHL games in your local market. And if you choose the Fubo Elite Plan, you will be able to watch NFL on FOX playoff games in 4K right there on the service.

A Bundle Pick For More Content:

If you are already an ESPN+ subscriber, chances are you are well acquainted with the Disney Bundle. However, you might not realize you can opt for Hulu’s live streamer and save on your other subscriptions. While Hulu Live TV doesn’t have a free trial, it only costs $69.99 per month and includes every game in the NFL playoffs in addition to 33 of the top 35 cable channels. But what makes it an even better deal is that, a Hulu + Live TV subscription includes all of Hulu’s on-demand offers, as well as Disney+ and ESPN+ subscriptions at no extra charge.

What about YouTube TV?

If you already know that YouTube TV will be the new home for NFL Sunday Ticket starting in the fall, you might be interested in getting a head start and signing up for that one now. YouTube TV runs $64.99 per month, but it still comes in last on our list for the playoff games. While it is cheaper than the other live streamers and it offers both CBS and FOX, it does not have a free trial, discounted first month, or any additional benefits. Also, YouTube TV charges an extra $19.99 per month in order to stream content 4k, which will include the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl on FOX.

Can You Stream NFL Playoff Games in 4K?

A lot of sports fans love streaming games in 4K, which utilizes 3840×2160 screen resolution. This provides viewers an ultra-high-definition look, which is obviously ideal for watching sports. Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities to stream NFL playoff games in 4K.

The only channel airing games in 4K this postseason is FOX, but that does mean that both Sunday’s NFL Title Game and February’s Super Bowl will be available in 4K if you have a compatible TV or device.

What Other Features Will You Have Access to With an ESPN+ Subscription?

ESPN+ not only provides live broadcasts of thousands of sporting events throughout the year, but it also has an ever-expanding library of original shows like “Peyton’s Place,” the entire library of “30 for 30,” “E:60,” “The Last Dance,” as well exclusive written analysis from top ESPN insiders.

ESPN+ only offers one pricing tier, you can sign up for the monthly plan at $9.99 or the annual plan at $99.99.

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ESPN+

ESPN+ is a live TV streaming service that gives access to thousands of live sporting events, original shows like Peyton’s Place, the entire library of 30 for 30, E:60, The Last Dance, as well exclusive written analysis from top ESPN insiders. Sports available on ESPN+ include NFL, MLB, NHL, UFC, College Football, F1, Bundesliga, PGA Tour, La Liga, and more.

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The service can be subscribed for $10.99 / month per month or annually for $109.99 / year.

You will get a daily out-of-market game from MLB, and every out-of-market NHL with NHL Power Play (previously NHL.TV). For NFL Fans, they have an exclusive NFL game, and simulcast select Monday Football games.

The service has some of the most attractive soccer coverage including Bundesliga, LaLiga, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise and more.

College sports fans will be able to watch thousands of games and events including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving, lacrosse, wrestling, volleyball, golf, and more.

For boxing and UFC fans, the service offers Top Rank boxing and will be the home of 15 exclusive UFC events.

ESPN+ now includes exclusive insights from analysts like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay (which used to be part of ESPN Insider), as well as premium Fantasy Tools & PickCenter.

What it does not include is most live sports that air on ESPN and ESPN2.

To get access to those channels you have to subscribe to a live TV streaming service. We suggest reading our guide on How to Watch ESPN without Cable.

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$10.99+ / month

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Streaming Comparison for 2023 the NFL Conference Championships and Super Bowl LVII