NFL fans waited months for the first full Sunday of the 2026 season.
Some of them couldn't watch it.
NFL+ and the NFL app experienced widespread technical problems Sunday, Sept. 13, as the first full slate of Week 1 games kicked off across the league.
The NFL acknowledged the problem on social media at 1:19 p.m. ET, saying it was experiencing technical difficulties and working to resolve the issue.
Fans reported problems accessing NFL+ and NFL RedZone, while others said the NFL app wouldn't load or recognize their subscriptions.
Downdetector, which provides real-time monitoring of technology outages, showed tens of thousands of reports of problems around the start of Sunday's 1 p.m. games.
The outage came at a particularly inconvenient time. Eight
games were scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m., including the Buffalo Bills' season opener against the Houston Texans.
Here's what to know about the NFL+ outage and how NFL+, NFL RedZone, NFL Network and NFL Sunday Ticket work.
We are aware of the issues affecting the NFL+ experience and are working to fix them. We apologize for the inconvenience.
— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) September 13, 2026
If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please submit a ticket to our customer support team. https://t.co/BxvQaFZlTp
Is NFL+ down?
Yes. The NFL acknowledged technical difficulties Sunday afternoon after users reported widespread problems accessing NFL+ and content through the NFL app.
The problems were reported around the start of Sunday's 1 p.m. games.
It's not immediately clear when service will be fully restored.
Is NFL RedZone down?
Some NFL RedZone viewers reported being unable to access the channel Sunday.
RedZone began its first Sunday broadcast of the 2026 regular season at 1 p.m. ET.
The problems did not appear to affect every way of watching RedZone, which is available through NFL+ Premium as well as other television and streaming providers.
Will someone lemme know when the NFL app that I just purchased Redzone on works?
— Lindsay Rhodes (@lindsay_rhodes) September 13, 2026
Is NFL Sunday Ticket down?
Some NFL fans also reported problems watching games through NFL Sunday Ticket on Sunday.
NFL Sunday Ticket, however, is a separate service from NFL+. It is distributed through YouTube and YouTube TV.
It wasn't immediately clear whether reported Sunday Ticket problems were connected to the NFL+ outage.
What is NFL+?
NFL+ is the NFL's subscription streaming service.
NFL+ costs $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It includes NFL Network, live game audio, out-of-market preseason games and live local and primetime regular-season and playoff games on phones and tablets.
NFL+ Premium costs $14.99 per month or $99.99 per season and includes everything in the basic plan along with NFL RedZone, NFL Pro and full, condensed and All-22 game replays.
NFL+ is available through NFL.com and the NFL app on supported devices.
Need NFL RedZone support.
— Ty (@TyRecino) September 13, 2026
I have the premium package for a reason - $100 a year to get RedZone. Tried my laptop and my phone, logged in and it's not letting me watch RedZone. Says connect with TV Provider or stream with NFL+. I've tried incognito window too. @NFLPlus @NFL pic.twitter.com/On6EwSvvAq
What is NFL RedZone?
NFL RedZone is the NFL's Sunday afternoon whip-around channel.
Hosted by Scott Hanson, RedZone moves among the Sunday afternoon games to show scoring opportunities, touchdowns and other important plays.
RedZone is included with NFL+ Premium and is also available through some television and streaming providers.
Awesome! Thanks NFL Network for nothing. Literally pic.twitter.com/VIZ751eGvf
— Ryan Baker HFS (@HeavyWt_Fantasy) September 13, 2026
What is NFL Network?
NFL Network is the league's 24-hour television network, featuring NFL news, analysis, original programming and live games.
A live stream of NFL Network is included with an NFL+ subscription.
So NFL Sunday Ticket isn’t working for week one? Such a joke @nfl and @YouTube
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) September 13, 2026
What is NFL Sunday Ticket?
NFL Sunday Ticket gives subscribers access to out-of-market regular-season games played on Sunday afternoons that aren't being carried by their local CBS or Fox station.
Sunday Ticket is available as an add-on to YouTube TV or as a standalone subscription through YouTube Primetime Channels.
It is different from NFL+. Sunday Ticket primarily solves the out-of-market problem for fans who want to watch a specific team's Sunday afternoon games.
For example, a Bills fan living outside the Buffalo television market could use Sunday Ticket to watch a Bills game on a Sunday afternoon when it isn't being shown by the fan's local CBS or Fox affiliate.
Sunday Ticket doesn't include locally televised games, national games, preseason games or playoff games as part of the standalone package.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Is NFL+ down? NFL RedZone, NFL app hit by outage during Week 1 games
