How to Watch Super Bowl LX in 2026

Who are you rooting for in Super Bowl LX? The Seattle Seahawks or the New England Patriots? Maybe you’ve already got your parlay locked in, or perhaps you’re just here for the commercials and halftime show (no judgment—those Doritos ads hit different on game day).

Super Bowl LX is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026. The Super Bowl is always one of the year’s biggest sporting events with millions tuning in across the country (and around the globe). Knowing how to watch Super Bowl LX in advance of the big day ensures you don’t miss a second of the action.

This year’s game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. You can watch through traditional cable or satellite TV, over-the-air with an antenna, or via various streaming platforms that carry NBC.

Fast, reliable internet is a no-brainer if you want high-quality streaming, especially if you’re watching in 4K or have multiple people streaming in your household. Buffering issues during crucial game moments can—and will—ruin the experience, so it’s worth checking your internet speed and comparing internet providers if you’re not getting the performance you need.

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How to watch Super Bowl LX

Super Bowl LX will air live on NBC at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Pregame coverage starts several hours earlier, with entertainment and analysis beginning around 1:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM ET, giving you plenty of time to grill those buffalo wings and settle in before kickoff.

The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California [1]. NBC has broadcast rights to this year’s Super Bowl, which means you’ll have more viewing options than ever before.

Over-the-air broadcast is one of the best ways to watch if you have a digital antenna. NBC’s free broadcast has excellent picture quality, and no internet connection is required, though you’ll need to be within range of an NBC affiliate. Modern digital antennas are affordable and easy to set up, making this an attractive option for cord-cutters who want to avoid monthly streaming fees.

Cable or satellite TV subscribers with NBC in their channel lineup can watch through their cable box or satellite receiver.

Peacock streaming is NBC’s dedicated streaming service and will carry the full game on all subscription tiers. Peacock Premium costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year for the ad-supported version, while Premium Plus costs $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year and removes commercials from most content [2]. The Super Bowl broadcast will include the same commercials regardless of your Peacock tier, as those ads are part of the live event itself.

Live TV streaming services provide another excellent option for cord-cutters. Platforms such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV carry NBC in most markets, allowing you to watch the Super Bowl as part of your existing subscription. These services include cloud DVR functionality for recording the game.

Equipment check

What equipment do you need to stream the Super Bowl?

A streaming device or smart TV is priority number one. Streaming device options include Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, or a smart TV with built-in apps. Most TVs manufactured in the last few years have streaming apps pre-installed, but streaming devices often deliver superior performance, with faster processors, more frequent software updates, and better app support. If your TV is older than five years, investing in a streaming device such as a Roku Streaming Stick or Amazon Fire TV Stick can greatly improve your viewing experience.

Sufficient internet speed is crucial for preventing buffering and maintaining picture quality. For standard definition streaming, you’ll need at least 3-5 Mbps download speed. For HD quality, which most people prefer, aim for 25 Mbps or higher. If you plan to watch in 4K—and the Super Bowl is increasingly being broadcast in 4K—you should have at least 100 Mbps, especially if other people in your household will be using the internet simultaneously.

These speed requirements aren’t just theoretical. A household with three people streaming simultaneously requires significantly more bandwidth than a single viewer. If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party and people will be using their phones, checking social media, or streaming the game across multiple TVs, your bandwidth needs will increase quickly.

A subscription or account completes the setup. Depending on your chosen platform, you’ll need either a Peacock subscription, a live TV streaming service subscription, or cable/satellite TV login credentials. Some streaming services offer free trials for new customers, which could allow you to watch the Super Bowl without paying if you time it correctly—just remember to cancel before the trial period ends if you don’t want to continue the service.

If you’re watching over-the-air with an antenna, you’ll only need the antenna itself connected to your TV, and no internet connection. This makes it an excellent backup option if your internet goes down or becomes congested during the game.

How to get a deal on Peacock through your home internet service

Several major internet providers offer bundled deals that include Peacock subscriptions at discounted rates or even free for promotional periods. These bundles can provide significant savings if you’re planning to subscribe to Peacock anyway—not just for the Super Bowl, but for NBC’s other sports coverage, original programming, and extensive content library.

Xfinity customers can access the StreamSaver bundle, which combines Peacock Premium, Netflix, and Apple TV+ for $30 per month [3]. This is a mega discount compared with subscribing to each service separately, which typically costs $45-50 per month. For households that already use these streaming services, switching to or staying with Xfinity can deliver meaningful savings over the year.

Spectrum TV customers receive free access to multiple streaming services, including Peacock, as part of their TV package promotions [4]. These deals typically last for a limited time, often one to two years, after which you’ll need to either pay for the services separately or negotiate a new promotional rate.

If you’re considering switching internet providers or don’t currently have home internet service, now is an excellent time to compare internet providers in your area. Many companies are competing aggressively for new customers by offering streaming service bundles, reduced installation fees, and promotional pricing for the first year or two of service.

The key is to look beyond the monthly rate and consider the total value of the package. An internet provider charging $10 more per month but including $15 in streaming services offers better value than a cheaper provider without perks.

Optimize your streaming experience

Tips for optimizing your Super Bowl streaming experience

Nothing ruins a Super Bowl watch party faster than a frozen TV during a potential touchdown or stuttering during the halftime show. Optimizing your home network before game day can prevent these frustrating interruptions.

Replace your router

An outdated router can be the bottleneck preventing you from getting the speeds you’re paying for from your internet provider. If your router is more than three to four years old, it likely doesn’t support newer Wi-Fi standards, which offer substantially better performance, especially when multiple devices are connected simultaneously.

Wi-Fi 6 routers provide faster maximum speeds, improved efficiency in crowded environments, and better battery life for connected devices. Wi-Fi 6E adds support for the 6 GHz band, which is less congested than the traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, providing even more reliable performance in apartment buildings and dense neighborhoods.

Move your router

Router placement has a significant impact on Wi-Fi performance, yet many people overlook it after initial installation. If your router is hidden in a closet, tucked behind a TV stand, placed in the basement, or pushed into a corner of your home, your streaming devices may not be receiving a strong signal.

For optimal performance, place your router in a central location within your home, elevated off the floor—ideally on a shelf or mounted on a wall. Keep it away from thick walls, metal objects, and other electronics that can cause interference. The router should be in the open, not enclosed in a cabinet or surrounded by other equipment.

Test your speeds

Before game day arrives, run a speed test to make sure you’re getting the internet speeds you’re paying for. Speed tests measure your download speed, upload speed, and latency (ping), giving you a clear picture of your connection’s real-world performance rather than just the advertised speeds.

If your speeds are significantly lower than what your provider advertises—more than 20-30% below the promised rate—start troubleshooting. Try restarting your router and modem by unplugging them for 30 seconds and plugging them back in. This simple step resolves many connection issues. If problems persist, contact your internet provider to troubleshoot potential issues with your connection, such as line problems, network congestion in your area, or equipment malfunctions.

Find the Best Internet Provider for Streaming the Super Bowl

Don’t let a slow internet connection ruin your Super Bowl Sunday watch party. Seriously, everyone is going to be mad if you host and can’t deliver the main event! Enter your zip code below to compare internet providers in your area. You’ll see which services are available at your specific address, what speeds they offer, and current promotions—including bundles with Peacock and other streaming services.

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Don’t wait until game day to realize your internet can’t handle the big moment. Upgrade now and enjoy uninterrupted, crystal-clear coverage on February 8.

Frequently Asked Questions

What internet speed do I need to stream the Super Bowl in 4K?

For 4K streaming, you should have at least 100 Mbps of download speed, especially if other people in your household will be using the internet simultaneously. This ensures smooth playback without buffering or quality drops.

Do I need a smart TV to stream the Super Bowl?

No, you don’t need a smart TV to stream the Super Bowl. While smart TVs have streaming apps built in, you can also use external streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast with any television that has an HDMI port. These dedicated streaming devices often offer better performance, more frequent updates, and a wider selection of apps than the built-in platforms on smart TVs, particularly if your TV is a few years old.

What time does Super Bowl LX start?

Super Bowl LX kicks off at 3:30 PM Pacific Time (6:30 PM Eastern Time) on Sunday, February 8, 2026. However, pregame coverage typically begins several hours earlier, around 1:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM ET, featuring in-depth analysis, player interviews, entertainment segments, and special features leading up to the opening kickoff. Many viewers tune in early to catch all the pregame festivities and excitement.

Sources

[1] NBCsports.com. “Super Bowl Locations: Where Will the Super Bowl Be Played in 2026?"

[2] Peacocktv.com

[3] Xfinity.com. “Digital Cable TV"

[4] Official.spectrum.com

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