The NFL is moving to streaming for commercial businesses – whether bars and restaurants like it or not.

The question is: Is your sports bar ready to convert to streaming?

Back in March, NFL-backed EverPass announced that it would become the exclusive commercial option for NFL Sunday Ticket this coming season. Previously, EverPass had allowed DirecTV to distribute games to commercial businesses, too. That three-year agreement expired at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The change is a huge disruption for U.S. sports bars. 

DirecTV has had distribution rights with the NFL since 1994. Now that’s changed and the only legal way operators can get access to NFL games this year onward is through EverPass.

So bar operators’ options have to make the conversion or forego showing the NFL and risk alienating guests and fans.

Making the Switch

Football fans celebrating while watching a game at a sports bar

Making the switch from DirecTV to EverPass isn’t as simple as just buying the service or changing the channel. But it’s not as bad as you might expect, either.

First: Know What NFL Sunday Ticket on EverPass Covers
Before you make the switch, it’s important to know exactly what you’ll be getting.

The NFL Sunday Ticket only carries out-of-market games. Any local, in-market games will be blacked out and can be found on CBS or FOX. Nothing crazy or new.

It also does not include primetime games such as Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, or Thursday Night Football; special broadcasts such on Black Friday, Christmas Day; international games; or any postseason games, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

Sign Up for EverPass
First thing is first. You’ll need to sign up with EverPass to get the NFL Sunday Ticket.

Trying to use your residential/personal NFL Sunday Ticket subscription via YouTube is bound to get your business in hot water. Do it at your own risk – but it’s honestly not worth the legal headaches.

Make Sure Your Internet Has Enough Bandwidth
Because it is streaming, your bar will need Internet access.

The good news is that most bars and restaurants already have adequate bandwidth — minimum is 10 Mbps per device.

Get the Right Hardware
NFL Sunday Ticket requires EverPass hardware or can be accessed through the Xumo Stream Box for Spectrum Business Customers. 

Setup is designed to be plug-and-play and works with your existing screens.

In short: Setup isn’t as awful as you’d expect.

Join Us for the Football Marketing Bootcamp on June 24th and 25th

Football Marketing Bootcamp II webinar

If you’re looking for more details into how your bar can convert to NFL Sunday Ticket on EverPass, join us for the Football Marketing Bootcamp II webinar on June 24th and 25th.  

It’s a free event and we’ll be having Rob Sandor from Audio Visual Integration on to help walk you through the entire process of setting your bar up with NFL Sunday Ticket — plus what you’ll need to run EverPass at your establishment (Internet and hardware requirements, installation, etc.).

Our goal is to help bar operators learn how to make the transition easy, plus help you best market your business for the NFL and NCAA season and bring in more fans for less effort.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this free, two-day webinar series:

  • The Big Switch: How to Make Converting to NFL Sunday Ticket on EverPass Painless
  • Sports Marketing in the Digital Age: How to Reach More Fans for Less Work
  • We’re #1! How to Find, Build and Market to Fan Clubs
  • Fleaflicker Marketing: How to Get Fun and Creative with Football Marketing

You can register for the Football Marketing Bootcamp II here. If you’re not able to watch live, you can still sign up and we’ll send you links to the recorded sessions after the event is over.