So, you’re ready for the game. The wings are ordered, the fantasy lineup is (hopefully) set, and you flip to your usual sports channel only to find... a talk show? Or maybe a movie? It happens way more than it should because, frankly, the answer to what channel is MNF isn't as simple as it was back in the 90s.
Gone are the days when you just clicked over to ABC every single week and called it a day. Now, watching Monday Night Football feels like a scavenger hunt across the Disney-owned media empire. Depending on the week, you might need ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, or even a streaming login for ESPN+.
The Short Answer: Where to Find the Game Tonight
In 2026, the primary home for Monday Night Football remains ESPN. However, the NFL and Disney have gotten aggressive with "simulcasting" and "exclusive" windows.
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Basically, if it’s a big-market matchup or a holiday, there is a very high chance the game is also on ABC. If you’re looking for the funnier, more chaotic version with Peyton and Eli Manning, that’s almost always tucked away on ESPN2.
What Channel is MNF on Right Now?
The "broadcast rotation" is the reason you're confused. This season, the NFL schedule is packed with doubleheaders and specific streaming-only games that can trip you up.
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Here is the breakdown of how they've split the rights:
- ESPN (The Main Hub): Almost every single Monday night game airs here. If you have cable or a live-streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo, this is your safest bet.
- ABC (The "Big" Game): ABC now carries a significant chunk of the MNF schedule, either as a simulcast of the ESPN feed or as an exclusive game during those weird "Doubleheader" nights where two games are played at once.
- ESPN+ (The Streaming Route): Usually, if a game is on ABC, it’s also on ESPN+. But watch out—at least once or twice a year, the NFL puts a game exclusively on ESPN+, meaning it won't be on traditional TV unless you're in the local markets of the two teams playing.
- ESPN2 (The ManningCast): For about 10-12 games a year, the Manning brothers host their alternate broadcast. It’s the same live game, just with better jokes and more legendary guests.
Why the Channels Keep Changing
It's all about the money and the "reach." The NFL realized that putting games on ABC (which is "over-the-air" and free with an antenna) gets way more viewers than keeping them locked behind the ESPN cable wall.
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However, they still need to keep the cable providers happy, which is why we have this hybrid model. During those crazy Week 4 or Week 6 doubleheaders, you might see one game start at 7:15 PM ET on ESPN and another kick off at 8:15 PM ET on ABC. You basically need a two-TV setup or a very fast thumb for the "last channel" button.
How to Watch MNF Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. In fact, it might be easier for you.
Most people use Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV, both of which carry ABC and the full suite of ESPN channels. If you're trying to go the cheapest route possible, a $20 digital antenna will get you the ABC games for free, but you'll miss the ESPN exclusives.
Then there’s NFL+. This is the league’s own app. It’s great if you’re okay watching on a phone or tablet, but if you want the game on your 65-inch 4K TV, it usually won't let you "cast" the live primetime games from your phone to the big screen due to some very annoying licensing rules.
Actionable Tips for the Rest of the Season:
- Check the 4:00 PM Update: Every Monday, the NFL’s social media accounts post a "How to Watch" graphic. Look for it. It’s the only way to be 100% sure if the game is on ABC or just ESPN.
- Download the ESPN App: Even if you don't have a subscription, the app’s scoreboard will tell you exactly which channel the game is on. If you do have a cable login, you can stream whatever channel the game is on directly through the app.
- Local Market Rule: If you live in the city of one of the teams playing (say, Chicago or Minneapolis), the game will always be on a local broadcast station (usually ABC or a local independent channel), even if the national broadcast is "exclusive" to ESPN+ or cable.