Super Bowl Stream: How to Watch the Big Game on Any Device

Daniel Howley
·Technology Editor
Updated
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Photo: AP

This Super Bowl Sunday, millions of Americans will cram onto couches and stuff their faces as they watch some of the most anticipated commercials of the year. And I hear the Patriots and Seahawks are doing something, whatever.

Anyway, if you’re unlucky enough to have to work or just won’t be near a TV on Super Bowl Sunday, never fear. There are plenty of ways to stream the most important game of the year on your laptop, tablet, and even your smartphone.

So grab a beer, some seven-layer dip, and your favorite mobile device, and check out the apps and sites you’ll need to watch the big game.

NBC Sports Live app

Hallelujah! This year, you can stream the Super Bowl (and the halftime show) on your laptop, tablet, and smartphone for free. NBC is broadcasting the game, which means the TV giant alsogets the rights to stream the game online. The stream will be available on NBCSports.com on your laptop and via the NBC Sports Live Extra app for iOS, Android, and Windows.

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That means you’ll be able to watch the game on your iPad, as well as Android and Windows tablets. You won't be able to watch on your smartphone, though, as Verizon has that locked up.

To watch live broadcasts on the NBC Sports website and app, you usually need to prove you have a cable subscription using your cable log-in information. But NBC is waiving that requirement for the Super Bowl to draw more attention to the NBC Sports Live Extra app and its TV Everywhere initiative.

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But who cares when you can get access to the game for free?

The stream kicks off at 12 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday. Keep in mind that if you’re live-streaming on your phone or tablet, you probably want to connect to Wi-Fi, as that will likely mean both better speeds and less data use from your mobile plan.

NFL Mobile

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer, you can download the carrier’s NFL Mobile app for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry, which lets you stream every game, as well as the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Unlike the NBC Sports Live Extra app, though, you have to pay $5 to watch the game with NFL Mobile.

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Streaming from your home

If you’re a Dish subscriber, you can already watch live TV from your home while on the road via the Dish Anywhere app, and that includes the Super Bowl. All you need is a Dish subscription, a compatible home receiver, and the app.

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The Dish Anywhere app is available for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire tablets.

If you’ve got a Slingbox at home, you can also stream the game to your mobile device. It’s not exactly a cheap, though, as various Slingbox models range in price from $149 to $299. The SlingPlayer app, which is available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, and Kindle Fire tablets and Fire Phone, will also set you back a few bucks, $14.99 to be exact. Still, it’s an option.

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So whether you are called into the office, stuck at Chuck E. Cheese’s for your nephew’s birthday, or stranded in the woods, at least you know you’ll be able to watch the big game.

Just don’t let your boss catch you.

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley or on Google+.