How to Watch the 2019 AAF Games Online Without Cable – Enjoy the New Football League
Update: On April 17th, 2019, the Alliance of American Football filed for bankruptcy. Therefore, the AAF is no longer in operation.
A new professional American football league was born in 2018, and now, finally, the first championship has started. The Alliance of American Football, abbreviated as AAF, is underway and we hope you're just as excited to watch it all as we are. So, if you're looking for ways to watch the 2019 AAF games online, we're here to help you out.
The Alliance of American Football was founded on March 20, 2018, and features eight centrally owned and operated teams. The AAF is overseen by Bill Polian, former NFL general manager, Troy Polamalu, a former safety at the Pittsburgh Steelers, and J.K. McKay.
The eight participating teams are split into two - the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. The top two teams of each conference will face each other in the playoffs, and then, the winners will compete in the Championship game.
The inaugural season started on February 9, 2019, and will conclude on April 27, 2019. The broadcasting rights for the AAF are split between CBS, CBS Sports, NFL Network, TNT and B/R Live. Games can also be watched for free on the AAF website and via the official app.
How to Watch the 2019 AAF Games Online: Using a VPN
The fact that the AAF football games are broadcast by so many channels is absolutely great because that means you have a lot of opportunities to watch the games. One thing all these channels have in common is that their sites are only available in the United States. Similar blockades apply to the streaming services that feature the channels you're trying to watch the AAF games on, as well as the AAF app and B/R Live. Thankfully, in case you're traveling abroad, a VPN can solve your geoblock problem.
VPNs can change your IP address, which means that the location you're actually in won't be available anymore. If you don't already have a VPN, we strongly recommend going for ExpressVPN, which is a great service that we keep coming back to even though we've reviewed dozens of VPNs over the years. It has thousands of servers to pick from, great security safeguards and will maintain your privacy. Here's what you need to do to watch the AAF football games with the help of a VPN.
- The first step you need to take is to go to ExpressVPN and subscribe to the service, download the app and install it on your devices.
- Then, you need to launch the app and sign into your account. Once that step is complete, locate a US-based server and connect to it.
- The process only takes a few seconds but, by the time it's done, you'll have a new IP address to match the location of the selected server.
- You can now load the stream you want to watch the AAF games on. Enjoy!
How to Watch the AAF Football Games Without Cable: Using a Streaming Service
When you go online, you can do pretty much anything you want. Whether you watch YouTube videos, listen to music, watch movies and TV series, read the news, chat with your friends, research for work or anything else, watching TV online is the natural next step. Thankfully, nowadays, there are quite a few platforms that will help with this issue, so it's not that big of a problem. You can cut the cord at any time, and sign up for one of these platforms. Let's see what your options are to watch the AAF football games online.
1. fuboTV
At the top of our list, we have the sports-centric platform fuboTV which features dozens of dedicated channels. There are four bundles you can choose from as you start off, and then you can add various channel packs, as well as premium networks, so you make the service "yours." Upon subscribing to fuboTV, we recommend going for the fubo Extra bundle because it has a good price and the most channels. You'll find that CBS, CBS Sports, NFL Network, and TNT are present in both fubo and fubo Extra, however.
On fuboTV, users are offered 30 hours of cloud DVR storage space. If you feel the need for more, you can upgrade to 500 hours by paying $9.99 per month. Also, the streaming platform supports two simultaneous streams, but a third one can be added for $5.99 per month. Make sure to read our fuboTV review for more details on what the service has to offer.
2. Sling TV
Next up we have Sling TV, which is an ideal platform for those who want to mix watching sports and entertainment, while also loving to customize the services they use. That's because you start off by picking one of three bundles, before adding packs of channels grouped by theme, and premium networks. You'll find that Sling TV features many of the channels you need to watch AAF Football on. For instance, NFL Network is present in the Blue and Orange + Blue bundle, but TNT is present in all three bundles. If you want to get access to CBS you're going to have to resort to a gimmick - paying for two months when subscribing to Sling TV. The channel is only accessible with the help of an HD antenna that Sling TV will give you for free when you pay for two months. We recommend going for the Orange + Blue bundle here because it has the most channels.
Sling TV treats cloud DVR like any other add-on you enhance your bundle with, asking for $5 per month for enough space to record 50 hours of content. When it comes to watching content on multiple devices, Sling TV gets a little weird because the number of streams you can enjoy depends on the starter bundle you choose. Orange subscribers get a single stream, but Blue subscribers get three. If you pick the Orange + Blue bundle you can watch TV on four simultaneous streams. Check out TechNadu's Sling TV review for more details on what the service has to offer.
3. Hulu
Hulu is a great option and a name you're probably already familiar with thanks to the VOD service it's been offering for years. With only one bundle to pick, Hulu also gives users access to the full VOD library, and the possibility to add more channels via the two packs it has, or by picking premium networks. When subscribing to Hulu, you'll find numerous channels, including CBS, CBS Sports, and TNT, but not the NFL Network.
On Hulu, you'll notice that users get access to 50 hours of cloud DVR space, which should be enough for most users. If you want to expand, you can do that by paying $14.99 for enough space to record 200 hours of programs. Hulu also gives users the chance to watch content on up to two devices simultaneously. If you need more, you can pay $14.99 for the Unlimited Screen feature. This one will allow you to watch content on however many devices you want as long as they're connected to the Home network. Otherwise, the number drops to three when you're out and about. Read TechNadu's Hulu review for more information on the topic.
4. YouTube TV
Up next, we have YouTube TV, which is a great platform coming from Alphabet Inc. This one only features one bundle of channels, and the only way to customize the service is by picking some premium networks. When you subscribe to YouTube TV, you should find it easy to locate CBS, CBS Sports, and TNT since they are all in the main bundle.
YouTube TV has loads of cool features, many of them thank the fact that Alphabet Inc is the parent company. For instance, subscribers have access to unlimited cloud DVR storage space, and the recordings can be kept for up to nine months. Plus, the platform supports three simultaneous streams at no additional cost. We have a detailed review of YouTube TV if you want to check it before making a decision.
5. DirecTV Now
DirecTV Now is another fabulous option for those who like to be able to customize the services they subscribe to. That's because there are five main bundles here, more than on any other platform, three international bundles, a couple of packs with Spanish-language channels, as well as several premium networks. When subscribing to DirecTV Now, you'll find that CBS and TNT are present in all five bundles, but CBS Sports is only available with Go Big and Gotta Have It, while the NFL Network is in Just Right, Go Big and Gotta Have It. So, in the interest of being able to watch all the AAF football games, we recommend picking either Go Big or Gotta Have It.
On DirecTV Now, the cloud DVR feature only allows users to record some 20 hours of video, which isn't much. The worst part, however, is the fact that you can't expand this feature in any way. Nonetheless, you should also know that DirecTV Now supports two simultaneous streams, with a third being available for those who are willing to pay an extra $5 each month. Check out our DirecTV Now review for more detailed coverage.
6. PlayStation Vue
Yet another platform you can choose is PlayStation Vue, which managed to impress us quite a bit while we were reviewing the service, but we'll get to the reasons why in a minute. First, you need to know that there are four bundles to pick from here, a couple of channel packs, and several premium networks. As soon as you subscribe to PlayStation Vue, you'll find that CBS And TNT are present in all four bundles, but CBS and NFL Network show up in Core, Elite, and Ultra. We recommend going for Elite, or if you also want cheaper HBO and Showtime go for Ultra since it comes with them included.
On PlayStation Vue, users can enjoy enough cloud DVR space to record 500 programs. The recordings can only be kept for a month, so you'll have to be quick to watch it all. The service allows users to watch content on up to five devices at once, which is the most we've seen, especially since there's no additional fee involved. We must also mention the Split Screen feature, which allows users to watch three different programs at once, on the same screen. Check out TechNadu's PlayStation Vue review for more details.
7. CBS All Access
Another way to watch is via CBS All Access. The platform provides fans with access to all-things CBS, including video on demand for the full CBS library, which features dozens of cool shows, as well as the live stream of the channel.
So, if you'll subscribe to CBS All Access, you'll be able to watch at least some of the AAF games quite easily. We have a detailed review of CBS All Access that you can check out if you have more questions.
8. AAF
According to the AAF, football fans will be able to view the games on the AAF.com website and via the AAF app with no restrictions, meaning that you won't need to subscribe to anything. Fans don't seem too pleased with the app, claiming that games weren't accessible for them or that the streaming quality wasn't up to their expectations. The apps work on Android and iOS so far.
9. B/R Live
Another way to watch some of the games is the B/R Live site. Unlike other leagues where you have to pay to access the events, the stream is free for the AAF games, so you can check them out quite easily. The B/R Live will only broadcast certain games, but you'll get some coverage, at least. B/R Live works on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, TV Stick, and Cube.
FAQ
What teams are part of the AAF?
There are eight teams part of the Alliance of American Football - Atlanta Legends, Birmingham Iron, Memphis Express, Orlando Apollos, Arizona Hotshots, Salt Lake Stallions, San Antonio Commanders, and the San Diego Fleet.
Are the AAF Rules Different than NFL?
Yes, some major rules are different for the AAF. One of the things we can mention is the fact that there will be no TV timeouts, while kickoffs and extra points are eliminated completely. The play clock has also been reduced to 30 seconds, down from NFL's 40 seconds.
When are the AAF games?
The first season of the AAF kicked off on February 9 with two games (Atlanta at Orlando and San Diego at San Antonio) and will continue for ten weeks. You can check out the full schedule of the games on the AAF site. The top two teams of each conference will face each other in the playoffs on April 21st and 22nd. The championship game will be held on April 27th.
What AAF Games Can I Watch on CBS?
According to the schedule, CBS will televise two regional games at 8 PM ET on opening night, as well as the Championship game on April 27th, at 8 PM ET.
- February 9 - 8 PM ET - Atlanta at Orlando
- February 9 - 8 PM ET - San Diego at San Antonio
- April 27 - 8 PM ET - Championship final
What AAF Games Can I Watch on CBS Sports?
The AAF has announced that CBS Sports will broadcast the Sunday 4 PM games, as well as one of the semifinal playoff games on either April 21 or April 22nd.
- February 10 - 4 PM ET - Memphis at Birmingham
- February 17 - 4 PM ET - Orlando at San Antonio
- February 24 - 4 PM ET - Birmingham at Atlanta
- March 3 - 4 PM ET - San Diego at Memphis
- March 10 - 4 PM ET - Memphis at Atlanta
- March 17 - 4 PM ET - San Antonio at Atlanta
- March 24 - 4 PM ET - San Diego at Arizona
- March 31 - 4 PM ET - Atlanta at Birmingham
- April 7 - 4 PM ET - Salt Lake at Atlanta
- April 14 - 4 PM ET - Birmingham at Orlando
- April 21 or 22 - 8 PM ET - Playoff
What AAF Games Can I Watch on NFL Network?
The NFL Network has reached an agreement to televise 19 regular season prime time games, every Saturday and Sunday night.
- February 10 - 8 PM ET - Salt Lake at Arizona
- February 16 - 8 PM ET - Arizona at Memphis
- February 17 - 8 PM ET - Atlanta at San Diego
- February 23 - 8 PM ET - Memphis at Orlando
- February 24 - 8 PM ET - San Antonio at San Diego
- March 2 - 8 PM ET - Orlando at Salt Lake
- March 3 - 8 PM ET - Atlanta at Arizona
- March 9 - 8 PM ET - Salt Lake at San Diego
- March 10 - 8 PM ET - San Antonio at Arizona
- March 16 - 8 PM ET - Arizona at Orlando
- March 17 - 8 PM ET - Birmingham at San Diego
- March 23 - 8 PM ET - Salt Lake at San Antonio
- March 24 - 8 PM ET - Birmingham at Memphis
- March 30 - 8 PM ET - San Diego at Salt Lake
- March 31 - 8 PM ET - Arizona at San Antonio
- April 6 - 8 PM ET - San Diego at Orlando
- April 7 - 8 PM ET - Birmingham at Arizona
- April 13 - 8 PM ET - Atlanta at Memphis
- April 14 - 8 PM ET - Arizona at San Diego
What AAF Games Can I Watch on TNT and B/R Live?
TNT will televise the February 16th game between the Salt Lake Stallions and Birmingham Iron, as well as one of the two semifinal playoff games. B/R Live will have one Saturday afternoon game each week between weeks 3 and 9 and a Friday night game on April 12.
TNT
- February 16 - 2 PM ET - Salt Lake at Birmingham
- April 21 or 22 - 8 PM ET - Playoff
B/R Live
- February 23 - 3 PM ET - Arizona at Salt Lake
- March 3 - 4 PM ET - San Antonio at Birmingham
- March 9 - 2 PM ET - Orlando at Birmingham
- March 16 - 4 PM ET - Memphis at Salt Lake
- March 23 - 3 PM ET - Orlando at Atlanta
- March 30 - 2 PM ET - Orlando at Memphis
- April 6 - 4 PM ET - Memphis at San Antonio
- April 12 - 8 PM ET - San Antonio at Salt Lake
How Are Players Drafted for AAF Teams?
The players are allocated to Alliance teams based on where they competed in college. In the event that a player's college is outside of the Alliance area, he will be allocated based on his most recent NFL or CFL team. If he did not play in the NFL or CFL, the player can be picked by whichever Alliance team wants him.
There you have it, folks. It's a new era for American football, and the Alliance of American Football is here for a new start, hoping to complement the NFL and to bring sports into people's homes around the year. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the new football league, so leave us a note in the comments section below. You can even tell us which platform you chose to go with. Share the article online if you have the time, so more people find out about this exciting new league. Follow TechNadu on Facebook and Twitter for more tech news and guides.