I just became a cord cutter a few weeks ago, and it was very liberating. Until, of course I realized that, even with a Sling TV subscription, there may not be a way to watch Super Bowl 51 from home. But alas – some good news! This year, there are multiple ways to watch the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 in Houston, Texas for free, without a cable television subscription.
How to Watch Super Bowl 51
For those that don’t know, the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 3:30 PM PST (6:30 PM EST) and the pre-game will start many hours before that, as is tradition. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to watch, you just have to know where to look.
Over-The-Air (OTA) via HD Antenna
If you live in the United States, have access to a TV, and can get an over-the-air signal in your neighborhood, you can simply tune into FOX or one of its many affiliate stations by purchasing an over-the-air HD antenna for your TV.You can purchase any number of ultra thin HD TV antennas for under twenty dollars via Amazon.
I’m partial to the Mohu Leaf antennas because they’re ultra thin and have great range, especially the Leaf 50 which features powered amplification to ensure you’re picking up as many OTA stations as possible.
Before you make your purchase check out dtv.gov/maps a website created by the FCC that can help you preview the channels you might expect to receive in your area.
Also, you’ll want to make sure your new HD Antenna is optimally installed, so follow these simple steps outlined in this Mohu antenna optimization video.
Streaming Media Player
If you can’t pick up over-the-air signals in your area, your best bet for watching the Super Bowl for free would be to use products like the Roku Ultra, Amazon Fire TV, or the more pricey Apple TV. Or if you want to keep to a budget, go with a Roku Express or Amazon Fire TV Stick for under $40. These devices allow you to download or access the FOX Sports Go app and stream the Super Bowl for free. Keep in mind, normally the FOX Sports Go app requires a cable subscription – but thankfully not for the big game!
Personally I prefer the Amazon Fire TV because I’m already an Amazon Prime member so going with Amazon as my streaming media player of choice gives seamless access to a huge collection of streaming content.
Online
If you cannot get to a TV or prefer to watch the game for free over the web, you can to the FOX Sports Go website. On a device? Download the FOX Sports Go app for Android or iOS and watch it anywhere you can get a good connection. Plus, if you’re a Verizon customer, you can also watch it on-the-go using the NFL Mobile app.
Who’s Performing at Super Bowl 51?
Aside from Tom Brady and Matt Ryan, one of the performers at the Super Bowl will be country singer Luke Bryan, who is singing the national anthem. In addition, the famed Halftime show will feature the always entertaining Lady Gaga. Check out a preview below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skSWbc2PMzA
The Super Bowl Commercials
If you’re not a big football fan you may not even care about the game. However, everyone loves the entertaining commercials that the Super Bowl is known for. Fortunately, you can start previewing them early online. And, if football and new advertising are not your thing, let’s not forget the Puppy Bowl XIII will also be underway over on Animal Planet.
How Are You Going to Watch?
Are you planning on watching at home with cable or on your many devices with streaming services? Let us know in the comments below and enjoy the big game!
