Are you a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan living outside the Lone Star State? Do you constantly find yourself frustrated by regional blackouts, missing out on crucial games because they're not broadcast in your local market? You're not alone! Millions of Cowboys fans across the globe face this very challenge. But fear not, because with a little planning and the right tools, you can ensure you never miss a Dak Prescott touchdown or a Micah Parsons sack again. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the best strategies for watching your beloved Dallas Cowboys, no matter where you are.
The Out-of-Market Dilemma: Why It's a Thing
Before we dive into the solutions, let's quickly understand why watching out-of-market games can be tricky. The NFL has complex broadcasting rights agreements. Local networks (CBS and FOX) typically have the rights to broadcast games involving teams in their specific market. If the Cowboys aren't the designated "local" team in your area, their Sunday afternoon games will likely be blacked out for you, even if you have cable. This is where "out-of-market" solutions come in.
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| How To Watch Dallas Cowboys Out Of Market |
Step 1: Assess Your Fan Dedication & Budget – How Much Do You Really Want to See Them Play?
This is the crucial first step. Your ideal solution will depend heavily on your commitment to watching every single Cowboys game and how much you're willing to spend. Are you a casual fan who just wants to catch the highlights, or are you a superfan who needs to see every snap, live and in high definition?
Casual Fan: You might be content with highlights, game recaps, or just catching the occasional primetime game. Your budget will likely be lower.
Dedicated Fan: You want to watch every regular-season game, live, and are willing to invest in a premium service.
Ultimate Fan: You want every game, every replay, coaches' film, and maybe even RedZone for all the scoring action. Your budget will be at the higher end.
Once you have an idea of your commitment level, you can choose the best path forward.
Step 2: The Gold Standard for Out-of-Market NFL – NFL Sunday Ticket
For years, NFL Sunday Ticket has been the definitive answer for out-of-market NFL viewing. It offers access to every regular-season NFL game that's not broadcast in your local market on Sundays.
Sub-heading: Understanding NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV
As of the 2023 season, NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusively available through YouTube TV. This marks a significant shift from its long-standing home on DirecTV.
What it offers: NFL Sunday Ticket provides all out-of-market regular season Sunday afternoon games. It's the only way to reliably watch every single Cowboys game if you don't live in their designated broadcast area.
How to get it: You can purchase NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on to a YouTube TV Base Plan, or as a standalone Primetime Channel subscription through YouTube.
YouTube TV Bundle: This is often the most comprehensive option. You get YouTube TV's live TV channels (including local networks, ESPN, NFL Network) plus NFL Sunday Ticket. This means you'll also get the primetime games (Thursday, Sunday, Monday) and any local games that do air in your market.
Standalone through YouTube Primetime Channels: If you already have a different live TV streaming service or just want Sunday Ticket without a full YouTube TV subscription, you can purchase it as a standalone channel.
Pricing: NFL Sunday Ticket is a premium service, and its price reflects that. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for the entire season. There are often discounts for early bird sign-ups or for new YouTube TV subscribers. Sometimes, a student plan is also available.
Key Features:
Multiview: Watch up to four live games at once (device limitations may apply).
Fantasy View: Track your fantasy team while watching games.
Key Plays: Easily replay important moments.
Unlimited Streams at Home: Watch on multiple devices simultaneously within your household.
Step 3: Other Legitimate Streaming Services & Options
QuickTip: Repetition reinforces learning.
While NFL Sunday Ticket is the king for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, other services can complement your viewing experience or serve as alternatives, especially for primetime matchups.
Sub-heading: Live TV Streaming Services (with a caveat)
These services offer a bundle of live TV channels, often including those that broadcast NFL games nationally (ESPN, NBC, FOX, CBS). However, they still adhere to local blackout rules for Sunday afternoon games.
YouTube TV: As mentioned, this is the home of NFL Sunday Ticket, but even without the add-on, it provides access to local CBS/FOX/NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network, covering many national and local games.
Hulu + Live TV: Offers a wide range of channels including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
FuboTV: Strong sports focus, with CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network.
Sling TV: A more budget-friendly option. Sling Orange typically includes ESPN for Monday Night Football, while Sling Blue includes FOX and NBC in select markets. You can combine them for a broader channel lineup. NFL RedZone is often available as an add-on.
Paramount+ (for CBS games): If you're primarily missing CBS games due to being out of market, a Paramount+ subscription will give you access to all CBS NFL broadcasts, including those for the Cowboys, that would normally air in your local market.
Peacock (for NBC games): Similar to Paramount+, Peacock streams all NFL games broadcast on NBC, including Sunday Night Football.
Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football): Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for Thursday Night Football. If the Cowboys play on a Thursday, you'll need Prime Video to watch them.
Netflix (Christmas Day Games): Starting in 2024, Netflix will carry certain Christmas Day NFL games. Check the Cowboys' schedule to see if they're playing on Christmas!
NFL+ Premium (Replays & RedZone): While NFL+ Premium does not provide live out-of-market regular season games, it's an excellent option for:
Live local and primetime games: On your mobile device only.
NFL RedZone: Get every touchdown from every game, every Sunday afternoon during the regular season. This is perfect for fantasy football fans or those who want to catch all the scoring action without watching full games.
Game Replays: Full game replays, condensed games, and All-22 coaches' film available after the game. This is a great way to catch up if you can't watch live.
Sub-heading: NFL Game Pass International (Outside the US)
If you're truly an international Cowboys fan, NFL Game Pass International (now typically powered by DAZN in many regions outside the US) is your best bet. This service offers live and on-demand access to every NFL game, including playoffs and the Super Bowl, without blackouts.
Step 4: The VPN Approach – Bending Geographic Boundaries
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a powerful tool for out-of-market viewing, though it requires a bit more technical setup and often works best in conjunction with other streaming services.
Sub-heading: How a VPN Works
A VPN allows you to connect to servers in different geographical locations, effectively masking your real IP address and making it appear as if you're Browse from another region.
The Strategy: You would use a VPN to connect to a server in a different US city where the Cowboys game is being broadcast locally on a service like CBS, FOX, or a live TV streaming service.
Important Considerations:
Reliability: Not all VPNs are created equal. You need a VPN with strong geo-unblocking capabilities and fast speeds to stream live sports without buffering. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are consistently recommended for streaming.
Legality/Terms of Service: While using a VPN for personal use is generally legal, using it to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming services might violate the terms of service of that particular streaming platform. Always be aware of this.
Setup: Setting up a VPN can be straightforward for basic use on a computer or mobile device. For Smart TVs or streaming devices, you might need to configure it on your router.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step VPN Usage
Tip: Reread the opening if you feel lost.
Choose a Reputable VPN: Select a VPN service known for its streaming performance (e.g., NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark).
Subscribe and Install: Sign up for a plan and download the VPN app to your streaming device, computer, or router.
Connect to a Server: Open the VPN app and connect to a server in a US city where the Cowboys game is scheduled to be broadcast locally. You might need to do some quick research to see which local markets are showing the game.
Access Streaming Service: Once connected to the VPN server, open your chosen streaming service (e.g., YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+, or even a free over-the-air local channel website if available and supported by the VPN).
Start Streaming: The streaming service should now believe you are in the location of your VPN server and grant you access to the local broadcast.
Step 5: Consider Public Viewing Options – Team Up with Fellow Fans!
Sometimes, the best way to watch an out-of-market game is to simply find a place that is showing it.
Sports Bars: Many sports bars subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket and will show all out-of-market games. This is a great way to experience the game with other fans and soak in the atmosphere. Use online sports bar finders or simply call local establishments.
Cowboys Fan Groups/Watch Parties: Search online for Dallas Cowboys fan clubs or watch parties in your area. These groups often organize viewings at specific venues, ensuring you'll have a spot to cheer on your team.
Step 6: Explore Replay Options – When Live Isn't an Option
If watching live isn't feasible or you just want to relive the glory (or agony), replays are your friend.
NFL+ Premium: As mentioned, NFL+ Premium offers full, condensed, and All-22 coaches' film replays shortly after the game concludes. This is an excellent option for those who don't need to watch live but want to see every moment.
YouTube NFL Channels & Highlights: The official NFL YouTube channel and team-specific channels often upload game highlights and condensed versions after the game. While not a full replay, it's a free way to catch the key moments.
Step 7: The "Free" (But Not Always Reliable) Routes
While paid services offer the most consistent and high-quality experience, some "free" options exist, though they come with significant caveats.
Over-the-Air (OTA) Antenna: If you live close enough to a market that is broadcasting the Cowboys game on a local CBS or FOX affiliate, an OTA antenna can pick up these signals for free. This is highly dependent on your geographic location and signal strength.
Questionable Streaming Sites: Be extremely wary of unofficial streaming websites. They often have poor quality, are riddled with pop-up ads, and can expose your device to malware. This option is not recommended due to security risks and unreliable streams.
Conclusion: Tailoring Your Cowboys Viewing Experience
Watching the Dallas Cowboys when you're out of market doesn't have to be a headache. By understanding your needs and the various options available, you can choose the solution that best fits your budget and fandom level. From the comprehensive coverage of NFL Sunday Ticket to the flexibility of a VPN, or even just finding a local Cowboys bar, there's a way for every fan to stay connected to America's Team. Go Cowboys!
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Focus on one line if it feels important.
How to watch every Dallas Cowboys game live?
To watch every Dallas Cowboys game live, especially out-of-market ones, your best option is to subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket, which is exclusively available through YouTube TV in the US.
How to get NFL Sunday Ticket without a YouTube TV subscription?
You can get NFL Sunday Ticket as a standalone Primetime Channel subscription directly through YouTube, without needing a full YouTube TV Base Plan.
How to use a VPN to watch Dallas Cowboys games?
Subscribe to a reputable VPN service (like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark), connect to a server in a US city where the Cowboys game is broadcast locally, and then access your chosen streaming service (e.g., Paramount+, Peacock, or a live TV streaming service) as if you were in that location.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys games on Amazon Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video exclusively streams Thursday Night Football. If the Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to play on a Thursday, you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to watch that specific game.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys games if I only want replays?
Subscribe to NFL+ Premium. This service offers full game replays, condensed game replays, and All-22 coaches' film shortly after the live broadcast, without blackouts.
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys games on my mobile device?
NFL+ provides live local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your mobile device or tablet only. For out-of-market Sunday games, you would still need NFL Sunday Ticket, which is accessible on mobile via the YouTube TV or YouTube app.
How to watch NFL RedZone for Dallas Cowboys highlights?
NFL RedZone, which provides live look-ins at every Sunday game during scoring opportunities, can be accessed through an add-on to services like YouTube TV or Sling TV (via their Sports Extra package), or it's included with NFL+ Premium.
How to find a sports bar showing Dallas Cowboys games?
Many sports bars subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket. You can use online sports bar finder tools, check the websites of local sports bars, or simply call ahead to ask if they will be showing the Dallas Cowboys game you want to watch.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys preseason games out of market?
NFL+ provides access to live out-of-market preseason games across supported devices. Check the NFL+ subscription details for exact availability and any blackout restrictions.
How to watch Dallas Cowboys games for free (legally)?
The most reliable free and legal way to watch Cowboys games is by using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to pick up local CBS or FOX broadcasts if the Cowboys game is the designated local broadcast in your area. This typically only works if you live in or near the Cowboys' local market or a market that chooses to broadcast their game.
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