Skip to main content

NFL, NBA offer free subscriptions as coronavirus cancels live sports

Sports have shut down indefinitely, courtesy of the coronavirus, and the absence of one of America’s most revered pastimes has been profound. On Wednesday, March 18, the NFL and the NBA both announced ways to help fill the void.

Recommended Videos

The NFL will offer complimentary access to NFL Game Pass, a digital streaming product of the league, which will allow fans to rewatch football games and moments from the past. The platform will be offered free of charge until May 31 for fans residing in the U.S. and will be free starting Thursday through July 31 for fans outside the U.S. and Canada.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The NBA followed suit shortly after, announcing in a letter to fans that it would be providing a free preview of NBA League Pass, the basketball league’s own subscription-based digital product, until April 22.

To sign up for complimentary access, fans will need to create an account at NFL.com/GamePass, or on the NFL app. If you’re after NBA League Pass, you can redeem the league’s free offer by signing into your NBA account through NBA.com or the NBA App.

The NBA is sending this letter to fans to announce free League Pass later today: pic.twitter.com/R6UbmOkFzF

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 18, 2020

The NFL will also offer full game encores each day across its digital platforms, including NFL.com, the NFL app, and NFL’s official YouTube channel. The games will “feature signature wins from all 32 teams” according to a press release and will be available to view by noon ET each day.

NFL Game Pass traditionally offers access to past regular and postseason games, previous seasons of football series like Hard Knocks and A Football Life, and “exclusive NFL Game Pass Film Sessions with some of the league’s star players and coaches.”

With complimentary access, you’ll be able to take advantage of several features. With game replays, you’ll be able to watch full broadcasts from 2009-2019, commercial-free and in HD. This will include the preseason, playoffs and Super Bowls from the past 11 seasons. Condensed, 45-minute replays will also be available.

Other content offered on NFL Game Pass include NFL Game Pass Film Sessions — where players and coaches break down plays and technique — NFL RedZone, Hard Knocks, and live broadcasts of NFL Network, where you can find 24/7 coverage of NFL’s ongoing free agency.

As for the NBA, the league said its complimentary offering will provide access to full and condensed games from the 2019-2020 season, as well as access to classic games and content.

There’s no telling when sports will return, with the NBA, NHL, and MLB all put on hold as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country. With this complimentary access, we’ll at least be able to watch sports again. They won’t be live, but they’ll surely serve as an escape from the ongoing chaos.

Plus, with a decade of football and plenty of archived basketball at the ready, there’s memorable action to relive for everyone, regardless of who you follow. So as you continue to social distance, at least you’ll have sports to watch.

Nick Woodard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
  As an A/V Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Nick Woodard covers topics that include 4K HDR TVs, headphones…
Halo Infinite Season 3 delayed until 2023, split-screen co-op canceled
halo infinite season delay team

After releasing in an unfinished state, Halo Infinite is still dealing with long-term woes that should come as no surprise to anyone who's been following the game. Today in a new Halo Waypoint blog, 343 announced that the upcoming Season 3 update to the game is delayed. Along with this news, the split-screen co-op, a staple of the Halo series, is completely canceled.

Halo Infinite | Update – September 2022

Read more
Tom Brady smashed a Microsoft Surface. The NFL warned him not to do it again
Tom Brady smashing a Surface.

From common error codes or issues with Zoom, there might be times when you're fed up with your computer and want to physically break it, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tom Brady might have taken that feeling a little too seriously.

The star quarterback recently smashed a Microsoft Surface tablet midgame (and physically separated the display of the device before chucking it at the floor,) and the NFL has now warned him not to do it again.

Read more
How to watch Browns vs. Steelers: Stream the NFL playoff for free today
steam browns vs steelers playoff free on peacock

Tonight at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Steelers will be facing off against their long-time rivals, the Cleveland Browns, in an NFL Wild Card Weekend game. This is the first time in nearly two decades that the Browns have made it to the playoffs, and if you are looking for a way to watch the action online, you're in luck, because you can stream the Browns vs. Steelers game for free with Peacock. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Peacock and the Browns vs. Steelers playoff tonight.

Date & Time: Sunday 1/10, 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Stadium: Heinz Field

Read more