Sunday Ticket prices increase, while NFL decreases the number of Sunday afternoon games

A quarter-century ago, NFL Sunday Ticket seemed like a modern miracle to football fans, allowing them to watch any NFL game on Sunday afternoon. However, the service is now facing challenges. With more opportunities to watch NFL games throughout the week, fans may not need Sunday Ticket as much anymore. In 2002, 84 percent of NFL games were on Sunday afternoon, while in 2025, only 73 percent were.

Many popular teams play numerous games outside their home market, making Sunday Ticket less essential for fans of those teams. YouTube acquired Sunday Ticket from DirecTV in 2023, increasing the price by almost 30 percent while reducing the number of available games. While die-hard fans who enjoy watching multiple games may still find value in Sunday Ticket, many fans may perceive it as a poor deal as the service becomes less necessary.