So, you’re staring at your remote, the sun is down, and you just want to see some hits. Honestly, finding the right channel for Monday night used to be easy. It was always ABC. Then it was always ESPN. Now? It’s basically a scavenger hunt across three different networks and a handful of streaming apps.
If you are looking for what channel is the monday night football game on right now, the short answer is usually ESPN, but that’s not the whole story anymore. Depending on the week, you might find the same game on ABC, a totally different game on ESPN+, or the Manning brothers cracking jokes on ESPN2.
It’s confusing. I get it. Let's break down where you actually need to point your remote so you don't miss kickoff.
The Main Stage: ESPN and ABC
The vast majority of the time, the "main" broadcast lives on ESPN. This is where Joe Buck and Troy Aikman do their thing. However, the NFL and Disney (which owns both networks) have been getting more aggressive about putting games back on ABC.
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In 2025 and 2026, the league has made ABC a permanent home for at least ten games throughout the season. Sometimes it’s a simulcast—meaning the exact same game is on both channels—and sometimes it's a "split doubleheader."
Why the Doubleheaders Matter
This is where people usually get tripped up. On certain nights, the NFL runs two games at the same time or slightly staggered.
- Game A might start at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.
- Game B might start at 8:15 PM ET on ABC.
If you only have one of those channels, you’re only getting half the action. You’ve gotta check the specific week's schedule because these "Side-by-Side" Mondays happen more often than they used to, especially in the early and middle parts of the season.
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The "ManningCast" on ESPN2
If you haven't watched Peyton and Eli Manning yet, you’re missing out on the most chaotic way to watch football. This isn't a standard broadcast. They have guests (like LeBron James or Arnold Schwarzenegger), they talk over the plays, and Peyton usually gets frustrated with poor quarterback play.
This usually airs on ESPN2. It’s not on every week—usually about 10 to 12 games a season—but if you want a more conversational, less "professional" vibe, that’s your spot.
Streaming: What If You Don’t Have Cable?
You don't need a $150 cable bill to find what channel is the monday night football broadcast. If you’re a cord-cutter, you have a few specific paths.
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- ESPN+: This is the big one. Most (but not all) Monday night games are now simulcast on ESPN+. There are also a few "exclusive" games every year that only live on this app.
- Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV / Fubo: These are basically cable-lite. They all carry ESPN and ABC. If you have one of these, just search "NFL" in the search bar and the game will pop up.
- Sling TV: A bit cheaper, but be careful. You need "Sling Orange" to get ESPN. If you only have "Sling Blue," you might get your local ABC station in some cities, but you won't get the main ESPN feed.
- NFL+: This is the league’s own app. It’s great for watching on your phone or tablet, but keep in mind you can’t "cast" the live game to your big-screen TV with the basic plan.
The Local Rule (The "Antenna" Hack)
Here is something most people forget: even if a game is "exclusive" to ESPN, the NFL has a rule that the game must be shown on a local broadcast station in the markets of the two teams playing.
For example, if the Dallas Cowboys are playing the New York Giants on ESPN, fans in Dallas and New York can usually find the game on a local channel (like their local ABC, NBC, or even a secondary station) for free with a digital antenna. If you live outside those cities, you're stuck with the national cable/streaming options.
Don't Forget the Kickoff Times
Monday Night Football isn't always at 8:15 PM ET anymore. With the new doubleheader format, "tonight's game" could start as early as 7:00 PM ET or as late as 10:15 PM ET.
Actionable Steps to Find the Game Fast:
- Check the ESPN App: Even if you don't have a subscription, the front page of the app always lists exactly which channel is carrying the game (ESPN, ABC, or ESPN+).
- Use a Digital Antenna: If you’re in the home market of one of the teams, scan your local channels. You might get the game in HD for $0.
- Verify the ManningCast: If the main broadcast feels too "buttoned-up," flip over to ESPN2 to see if the Manning brothers are live.
- Check for "Flexing": Late in the season (Weeks 12-17), the NFL can "flex" a better game into the Monday night slot. Always double-check the matchup 12 days in advance to make sure the game you wanted to see hasn't been moved to Sunday.
The simplest way to stay ready is to ensure you have your ESPN or streaming login saved and ready to go by 7:00 PM ET. Whether it's a blowout or a down-to-the-wire thriller, knowing which app or channel to open saves you from that panicked ten-minute search while the opening kickoff is already in the air.