Watch Thursday Night Football Free Or Cheap On Amazon Prime Video
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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Watch Thursday Night Football Free Or Cheap on Amazon Prime Video
Tonight’s (September 17, 2026 at 8:15 p.m. ET) Detroit Lions-Buffalo Bills contest is the first official Thursday Night Football game of the 2026 season and the first regular season game at Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium. (The pregame coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET.) Amazon has the exclusive national rights but here’s how you can watch Thursday Night Football free or cheap. You do not need cable. You also don’t have to pay full price if you use the options below.
Free in the two local markets (antenna)
TNF still airs over the air for free on local channels in the home markets of both teams. In Buffalo tonight, the game will be on WKBW 7ABC (also streaming on the WKBW app for local viewers) and in Detroit it will be on FOX 2 Detroit. If you live in or near Buffalo or Detroit and have a decent indoor or outdoor antenna, you can watch for free on local TV. If you live outside those markets, you will not get this game on regular broadcast TV. An antenna will not help you.
Free nationwide: Twitch
Amazon also streams every TNF game live on Twitch (the Prime Video channel). You do not need a Prime membership. Here’s how:
• On a computer: go to twitch.tv and search for the Prime Video/TNF stream. No login required in a browser for many viewers.
• On a phone or tablet: use the Twitch app.
• On a TV: results vary. The Twitch apps on some Rokus and Smart TVs have been unreliable, according to some users on social media sites. A common workaround is watching on a phone or laptop and using AirPlay or an HDMI adapter to send it to the TV.
The twitch picture and audio can be a step down from the official Prime Video app which is in 1080p HD (the best high-def quality available) but the game is the same and the price is $0.
Cheapest paid options if you want the official stream on your TV
Amazon Prime Video: 30-day free trial. New customers can start a Prime trial, watch Thursday’s game (and the next few TNF games), then cancel before the trial ends. Cancel in Account settings on Amazon.com so you are not billed. You keep access through the end of the trial even after you cancel. If you are concerned about forgetting to cancel a free trial, see our article for tips: The Free Trial Trap.
Standalone Prime Video: $8.99 a month. Streaming only. No extra shipping or shopping perks. Fine if you only want football and movies. Cancel after the game if you want.
The full Amazon Prime is $14.99 a month or $139 a year. Includes Prime Video plus free shipping and the rest of Prime. The annual plan is cheaper if you keep it. Thursday Night Football is included and there’s no extra sports fee.
Prime Access: $6.99 a month. Same full Prime benefits. Available if you receive SNAP/EBT, Medicaid, SSI, or certain other assistance, or if your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. But there is no discount just for being a senior. Sign-up is at amazon.com/prime/qualify. Many seniors qualify through Medicaid or SNAP.
You do not need the extra “Ultra”/ad-free add-on for football. Live TNF is not in 4K anyway.
How to watch on Prime Video (step by step)
1. Download the Prime Video app on your Smart TV, Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, phone, or tablet (or go to amazon.com on a computer).
2. Sign in with your Amazon account.
3. Look on the home screen, under Sports, Live & Upcoming, or search “Thursday Night Football” or “Lions Bills.” Amazon does a good job of highlighting live events.
4. Select the game and press play.
It works on most TVs made in the last several years, Fire sticks, Roku, Apple TV, phones, tablets, and game consoles.
Other cheap notes
• NFL+ ($6.99/month or cheaper by the year) lets you watch live primetime games on a phone or tablet only. It is not a full TV substitute for this game.
• A sports bar that already has Prime is free if you buy a meal or a drink or two.
• Spanish-language coverage is on Prime Video as well.
Bottom line for most seniors
If you already have Prime, you are done. Just open the app Thursday night.
If you do not:
• Try Twitch first if you are comfortable with a computer or phone.
• Use the 30-day Prime trial if you want the official picture on the big TV and can remember to cancel.
• Check Prime Access at $6.99 if you have Medicaid, SNAP, or SSI.
• $8.99 for one month of Prime Video-only is the simplest “just this game” paid option.
Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET. Pregame starts at 6:30. Have the app signed in before 8 so you are not fighting logins at kickoff.
Happy viewing and stay safe!!
Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
