Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football? Watching America's Team under the lights is an experience like no other, and with the ever-evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, it can sometimes feel like a puzzle. But don't worry, we're here to help you solve it! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to ensure you catch every thrilling moment of the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday nights.
The Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football: What You Need to Know
Before we get into the "how-to," let's clarify the "what." For the 2025 NFL season, Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive national streaming rights to most Thursday Night Football (TNF) games. This is a significant shift from traditional broadcast TV, meaning you'll likely need an Amazon Prime subscription to catch the majority of these matchups. However, there are a couple of important exceptions to be aware of:
Week 1 (Sept 4, 2025): Cowboys at Eagles will be a special presentation of Sunday Night Football and will air on NBC.
Week 14 (Dec 4, 2025): Cowboys at Lions will be on Prime Video.
Some Thursday games, particularly early in the season or on Thanksgiving, may still appear on traditional networks like NBC. Always check the official NFL schedule or the Dallas Cowboys' official website for the most up-to-date information on specific game broadcasts.
In the competing teams' home markets, Prime Video games are typically also available on over-the-air TV.
Now, let's get you set up!
Step 1: Discover When the Cowboys Play on Thursday Night!
Alright, fellow Cowboys fan, the first and most crucial step is to know when the Cowboys are actually scheduled for a Thursday night game! Imagine getting everything set up, only to realize you've tuned in on the wrong night! So, let's confirm the schedule.
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It: Head over to the official Dallas Cowboys website (dallascowboys.com) or a reputable sports news site that publishes the NFL schedule. Look specifically for their Thursday Night Football matchups. Mark these dates and times in your calendar, set reminders, and clear your schedule!
As of now, for the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys have the following confirmed Thursday night appearances:
Thursday, September 4, 2025 (Week 1): Cowboys at Eagles – 8:20 PM ET on NBC
Thursday, December 4, 2025 (Week 14): Cowboys at Lions – 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video
Remember: Always double-check the schedule as the season approaches, as minor adjustments can sometimes occur!
Step 2: Choose Your Primary Viewing Platform
This is where the main action happens for most Thursday Night Football games. As mentioned, Amazon Prime Video is the dominant player here.
Sub-heading: Option A: Amazon Prime Video (Recommended for Most TNF Games)
If the Cowboys are playing on Prime Video, this is your go-to.
What you need: An Amazon Prime subscription. If you already have one, great! If not, you can sign up for a free trial or a monthly/annual subscription.
How to access:
Sign up for Amazon Prime: Visit the Amazon Prime website and follow the steps to create an account and start your subscription.
Download the Prime Video App: Once subscribed, download the Prime Video app on your preferred streaming device (Smart TV, Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, gaming console, smartphone, tablet, etc.) or access it via your web browser on a computer.
Log In: Open the app or website and log in with your Amazon Prime credentials.
Navigate to NFL: On game day, you'll usually see the Thursday Night Football game prominently featured on the Prime Video homepage. You can also search for "NFL" or "Thursday Night Football."
Enjoy the Game! Settle in and watch the Cowboys! Prime Video often offers features like X-Ray for player stats and team insights during the game, which can enhance your viewing experience.
Sub-heading: Option B: Traditional Broadcast TV (For Select Games)
For games like Week 1 against the Eagles on NBC, you'll rely on traditional TV.
What you need:
Cable/Satellite TV Subscription: If you have a cable or satellite package that includes NBC, FOX, or CBS, you're all set for these specific games.
Digital Antenna: For local channels like NBC, FOX, or CBS, a digital antenna is a fantastic one-time purchase that provides free over-the-air access. Simply connect it to your TV and scan for channels. This is an excellent cost-effective solution for in-market games.
How to access:
Tune In: On game night, simply tune your TV to the correct local channel (e.g., NBC) at the scheduled time.
Step 3: Explore Live TV Streaming Services (Cord-Cutters Rejoice!)
If you've cut the cord but still want access to live TV channels that might carry Cowboys games (or offer a more comprehensive sports package), a live TV streaming service is your best bet.
Sub-heading: Popular Options & What They Offer
These services bundle live channels, similar to cable, but delivered over the internet.
Hulu + Live TV:
What it offers: Includes NBC, FOX, CBS, and ESPN in most markets. This covers a wide range of NFL games, including some prime-time matchups.
How to use: Sign up for a subscription, download the Hulu app, and access the live TV section.
YouTube TV:
What it offers: Provides access to NBC, FOX, CBS, ESPN, and NFL Network. This is a very robust option for NFL fans. You can also purchase NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on for out-of-market Sunday games.
How to use: Subscribe to YouTube TV, download the app, and navigate to the live TV guide.
Sling TV:
What it offers: Sling Blue includes NFL Network, FOX, and NBC in select markets. Sling Orange includes ESPN. For a comprehensive NFL experience, Sling Orange + Blue might be necessary.
How to use: Sign up for your desired Sling TV package, download the app, and start streaming. Be aware of potential local channel limitations based on your ZIP code.
FuboTV:
What it offers: Focuses heavily on sports, including NBC, FOX, CBS, and NFL Network. Often a popular choice for avid sports enthusiasts.
How to use: Subscribe to FuboTV, download the app, and enjoy their extensive sports channel lineup.
DirecTV Stream:
What it offers: Another comprehensive option with many local and national sports channels, including those carrying NFL games.
How to use: Sign up for a package, download the app, and stream.
Important Note for Live TV Streaming Services: Always check the channel lineup for your specific ZIP code before subscribing, as local channel availability can vary. Many services offer free trials, so you can test them out before committing.
Step 4: Consider NFL+ (For Mobile and In-Market Access)
NFL+ is the official streaming service of the NFL. While it doesn't give you all the bells and whistles of Prime Video for TNF, it's a valuable tool, especially for mobile viewing.
What it offers:
NFL+ Premium: Offers live local and primetime regular season games (including Thursday Night Football) on your mobile phone or tablet. It also includes NFL Network and NFL RedZone (for Sunday afternoon games).
NFL+ Essential: Offers live local and primetime games on mobile devices only.
How to use:
Download the NFL App: Get the official NFL Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet.
Subscribe to NFL+: Choose your preferred NFL+ subscription level within the app or on the NFL website.
Watch on Mobile: On game day, open the app and navigate to the live game. Remember, this is primarily for mobile viewing, not necessarily for casting to a TV (unless specified for a particular device/subscription tier).
Step 5: International Options (NFL Game Pass via DAZN)
Are you a Cowboys fan living outside the U.S. or its territories? Then NFL Game Pass, now available through DAZN, is your ultimate solution for watching every NFL game, including Thursday Night Football.
What it offers: Live and on-demand access to all regular season and postseason games, including TNF, pre-season games, NFL Network, and NFL RedZone. This means you can watch the Cowboys no matter where you are in the world (outside of the US, Canada, and China).
How to use:
Visit DAZN: Go to the DAZN website (DAZN.com) in your country.
Purchase NFL Game Pass: Subscribe to NFL Game Pass through DAZN.
Stream: Access the games live or on-demand through the DAZN platform on supported devices.
Step 6: Leveraging a VPN (Virtual Private Network) - For Specific Circumstances
While we always recommend using official and legal methods, a VPN can be a tool for some specific situations, particularly if you're traveling or facing regional restrictions.
How it works: A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location. This can make it appear as if you're Browse from that location.
Potential uses:
Accessing NFL Game Pass from a restricted region: If you're in a country where DAZN offers NFL Game Pass but you're facing issues, a VPN might help.
Circumventing local blackouts: While generally discouraged for legal reasons, some users attempt to bypass local blackouts for games on streaming services by connecting to a server in a non-blackout area. Be aware that this can violate terms of service for streaming platforms.
Recommended VPNs (based on general performance for streaming):
NordVPN (known for speed and server count)
Surfshark (good for multiple devices and budget-friendly)
ExpressVPN (reliable and user-friendly)
How to use a VPN:
Choose a reputable VPN service: Sign up and download their application.
Connect to a server: Select a server location that aligns with where the game is available without restrictions (e.g., if you're trying to access NFL Game Pass, connect to a server in a country where it's offered).
Open your streaming app/website: Launch Prime Video, DAZN, or your chosen streaming service and try to access the game.
A Word of Caution: Using a VPN to bypass geo-restrictions can sometimes be against the terms of service of streaming platforms. While many VPNs work, streaming services are constantly improving their detection methods, and your VPN connection might be blocked. Also, streaming quality can be affected by VPN speed.
Step 7: Don't Forget Audio and Highlights!
Even if you can't watch the game live, you can still follow the action!
Radio Broadcasts: Tune into your local Dallas Cowboys radio affiliate or stream the game audio online via the official Dallas Cowboys app, Westwood One Sports, or TuneIn.
Game Highlights: After the game, you can catch up on all the key plays and touchdowns on the official NFL website, the Dallas Cowboys website, YouTube, and various sports news platforms. Prime Video also offers game replays and condensed versions.
By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to catch every Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football game, whether you're a devoted cord-cutter or a traditional cable subscriber. Go Cowboys!
Frequently Asked Questions about Watching Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football
How to watch Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football without a cable subscription?
You can watch Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football without a cable subscription primarily through Amazon Prime Video, which holds the exclusive national streaming rights for most TNF games. Additionally, live TV streaming services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV offer channels that may carry specific Thursday night games (like NBC for Week 1).
How to stream Dallas Cowboys TNF games on my smart TV?
To stream Dallas Cowboys TNF games on your smart TV, download the Amazon Prime Video app from your TV's app store, log in with your Prime account, and navigate to the live game. If the game is on a traditional network (like NBC), you can use the app for a live TV streaming service you subscribe to (e.g., Hulu, YouTube TV) or a digital antenna.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys TNF if I'm not in the US?
If you're outside the U.S. (excluding Canada and China), the best way to watch Dallas Cowboys TNF games is through NFL Game Pass International, which is now available via DAZN. This subscription gives you live and on-demand access to all NFL games.
How to find the official Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football schedule?
You can find the official Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football schedule on the Dallas Cowboys' official website (dallascowboys.com) under their "Schedule" or "Watch" sections. Reputable sports news websites also publish the full NFL schedule.
How to rewatch a Dallas Cowboys TNF game if I missed it live?
You can rewatch Dallas Cowboys TNF games on Amazon Prime Video as full replays or condensed versions. NFL+ Premium subscribers also get access to full game replays. Additionally, official NFL and team websites, as well as YouTube, will have game highlights available.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys TNF on my mobile phone?
For mobile viewing, you can watch Dallas Cowboys TNF games (including those on Prime Video) directly through the Amazon Prime Video app. For local and primetime games, the NFL+ Premium subscription via the official NFL Mobile App also allows live viewing on smartphones and tablets.
How to get NFL RedZone to follow all Thursday Night Football action?
NFL RedZone does not typically show full Thursday Night Football games as its focus is on Sunday afternoon games, providing live look-ins for scoring plays across all simultaneous matchups. However, it's included with NFL+ Premium and available as an add-on to many live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and Sling TV. To watch the full TNF game, you'll need the primary broadcaster (usually Amazon Prime Video).
How to use a VPN to watch Dallas Cowboys TNF?
To use a VPN, subscribe to a reputable service (like NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN), download their app, connect to a server in a region where the game is available without restrictions (e.g., for NFL Game Pass International, connect to a country where DAZN offers it). Then, open your streaming app (DAZN, Prime Video, etc.) and try to access the game. Be aware of terms of service.
How to listen to Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football on the radio?
You can listen to Dallas Cowboys Thursday Night Football on your local Cowboys radio affiliate. You can also often stream the live game audio online via the Dallas Cowboys official app, the NFL app, Westwood One Sports, or TuneIn Radio.
How to check if a specific Dallas Cowboys TNF game is blacked out in my area?
Local blackouts primarily apply to in-market games shown on traditional TV channels. If a game is on Prime Video, it's typically available nationwide. For local broadcasts, check the NFL's official blackout rules or the website of your specific TV provider or streaming service, as they often have tools to verify local channel availability based on your ZIP code.
