Where Can I Watch Chicago Fire: Why Most Fans Are Looking in the Wrong Place

Where Can I Watch Chicago Fire: Why Most Fans Are Looking in the Wrong Place

Finding out where the crew of Firehouse 51 is hanging out these days shouldn't feel like a three-alarm emergency. But with streaming rights shifting faster than a backdraft, it's easy to get lost. You're probably just trying to figure out where the heck you can binge the old stuff or catch the newest Season 14 episodes without paying for four different apps.

Honestly, it’s a mess.

One day a show is on one app, the next it’s gone because some corporate contract expired at midnight. If you're looking for the short answer: Peacock is currently the undisputed king of One Chicago. If you want the long answer—including how to watch for free or what to do if you’re traveling outside the U.S.—buckle up.

Where Can I Watch Chicago Fire Right Now?

If you are in the United States, your primary destination is Peacock. Period. Because NBC owns the show, they keep it close to the vest.

As of January 2026, every single episode from Season 1 through the current Season 14 is sitting right there. If you missed a Wednesday night broadcast on NBC, the new episode usually drops on Peacock by 6:00 AM ET the following Thursday morning.

The Cost of Watching

Peacock isn't exactly free anymore, at least not for the good stuff. You’ve basically got two choices. The "Premium" plan has ads and usually runs about $7.99 a month. If you can’t stand being interrupted by a car commercial right when Severide is about to jump off a roof, you’ll need "Premium Plus." That one is roughly $13.99 a month, but it lets you download episodes for offline viewing.

What About Other Big Streamers?

  • Netflix: Nope. Don't even bother looking. They haven't had it in years.
  • Hulu: It's complicated. You can watch it if you have Hulu + Live TV, which is basically just cable over the internet. But the standard $7.99 Hulu library? It's empty.
  • Amazon Prime: You can't "stream" it for free with your Prime membership, but you can buy individual episodes or full seasons. It's pricey—usually $2.99 an episode—but you own it forever.

How to Watch Season 14 Without a Subscription

Maybe you're a traditionalist. Or maybe you just don't want another monthly bill. You can actually watch Chicago Fire for $0 if you have the right gear.

The Antenna Hack

Since Chicago Fire airs on NBC, it’s a broadcast signal. If you live in or near a city, a $25 digital antenna from a place like Best Buy or Amazon can pick up your local NBC station in high definition. No monthly fee. No login. You just have to be on your couch on Wednesday nights at 9:00 PM ET.

The NBC App

Sometimes, the NBC app lets you watch the most recent few episodes for free with ads, but they usually require you to "link your TV provider." If you have a friend or family member willing to share their cable login, this is a solid loophole.

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Watching Outside the U.S.

The rules change the second you cross the border. Licensing is a different beast in every country.

In Canada: Your best bet is CityTV. They usually air episodes at the same time as the U.S. broadcast. If you want to stream, check out CityTV+ through Amazon Prime Video Channels.

In the UK: It’s a bit of a waiting game. Sky Witness is the typical home for the One Chicago franchise. Season 14 usually arrives a few months after the U.S. premiere, so you might need to dodge spoilers on social media for a while.

In Australia: Foxtel and its streaming cousin Binge are the go-to spots.

Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting

A lot of people get confused because they see "Chicago Fire" listed on Apple TV or YouTube. 90% of the time, these platforms are just trying to sell you the season. They aren't "streaming" it as part of a subscription.

Also, watch out for the "Chicago Fire FC" trap. If you search on Apple TV, you might see a schedule for Chicago Fire—but that’s the MLS soccer team. Unless you want to watch 90 minutes of guys kicking a ball instead of Mouch complaining about the firehouse couch, check the description twice.

If You’re Traveling

If you have a U.S. Peacock account but you're currently sitting in a hotel in London, the app will probably block you. This is where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) comes in. By setting your location back to the United States, you can access the content you already pay for. Just make sure the VPN provider you choose actually works with Peacock, as they’re getting better at blocking them.

Actionable Steps to Get Started

  1. Check your current subscriptions: If you already pay for Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or FuboTV, you can watch live or use their "Cloud DVR" to record the show.
  2. Go with Peacock for binging: If you’re starting from Season 1, there is no cheaper way to do it than a one-month Peacock subscription.
  3. Use an Antenna for Season 14: If you only care about the brand-new episodes and live in the U.S., a one-time antenna purchase is cheaper than years of streaming fees.
  4. Verify the Episode Number: If you are buying episodes on Amazon, check that you aren't accidentally buying the "standard definition" version when HD is available for the same price.

The transition to Season 14 has brought some cast changes and new drama, so catching up on the tail end of Season 13 is highly recommended before diving into the new episodes. Most fans find that a quick weekend binge of the last three episodes on Peacock is enough to get the context they need for the current firehouse dynamics.