Where to Watch Football at Disney World

Hey Disney Vacationers! Fall is here, and you know what that means—football season! Whether you’re a loyal Buckeyes fan from Columbus, Ohio, or a Patriots diehard originally from New Hampshire, like myself, heading to Disney World doesn’t mean you have to miss your team’s big game. Luckily, Disney World has plenty of spots to catch the action. Let’s dive into all the places where you can watch football at Disney, whether you’re chilling in your hotel, strolling through the parks, or something in between.

Watching Football in Your Hotel Room

Your hotel room might be your go-to spot for watching football, especially if your team is playing a Florida team or the game is nationally broadcast (think Monday Night Football). Here’s why watching in your room is a smart play:

• You’ve got your own bathroom (no lines!).
• Snack options are endless, and you set the drink menu.
• You control the remote—flip through channels as you please.
• No loud rival fans around to ruin your vibe.

Disney-owned hotel TVs are loaded with channels that cover all your football needs, including CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, and the NFL Network for the NFL. For college football fans, you’ve got Big Ten Network, SEC Network, FS1, and more. Here’s the full list of channels and their numbers on Disney World hotel TVs:

• 7 – ABC
• 8 – NBC
• 9 – CBS
• 10 – FOX
• 17 – ESPN
• 18 – ESPN2
• 19 – ESPN NEWS
• 20 – ESPNU
• 22 – ESPN Deportes
• 24 – NFL Network
• 25 – Big Ten Network
• 26 – FS1
• 27 – SEC Network

Other sports channels like TNT, TBS, and The Golf Channel are also available for when you want a break from football (if that ever happens).

Watching Football on Your Mobile Device

Streaming football on your mobile device is another option—though it’s a bit of a hit-or-miss experience at Disney World. Depending on your streaming service and cable provider, you may be able to watch on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Here’s the catch: many networks will block live games unless you’re connected to your home WiFi or update your location settings.

Pro tip: If you’re using a Fire Stick, Apple TV, or Roku device to stream, it may work in your hotel room, but expect some hiccups. Disney’s WiFi can be unpredictable, and occasionally the connection may be too slow for live sports.

Many of the Disney resort rooms have smart TVs where you can cast games from your device onto the bigger screen. Resorts that are confirmed to have these upgraded TVs include:

• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (both French Quarter and Riverside)
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

With more resorts constantly being updated, the list is growing.

If you want to go old school, bring along an HDMI to USB-C cable. You can hook up your laptop to the room’s TV and stream from services like YouTube TV or Hulu Live TV. Just be aware of any regional blackouts that might prevent you from watching all the games.

Watching Football at Your Hotel’s Lounge

Prefer watching the game with a crowd? Many Disney hotel lounges have TVs. The selection is mostly the same as what’s in your room, but the atmosphere is a bit livelier, especially during major games like the Super Bowl.

However, keep in mind that the screens in these lounges are often smaller, so it might not be the best choice if you want that full sports bar experience. A couple of solid options include:

• Geyser Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Steakhouse 71 Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

If you’re after a more legit sports bar vibe, head to Rix Sports Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. With multiple TVs and out-of-market games available, it’s the closest thing Disney has to a real sports bar on property.

Watching Football at a Sports Bar

Let’s face it—sometimes you just want that classic sports bar experience. Plenty of cold beverages, other fans to cheer (or argue) with, and a whole bunch of games on at once. If you’re not lucky enough to catch your game on local channels, finding a sports bar with satellite access is your best bet.

For Disney-goers, the go-to spots for sports viewing are now at Disney Springs, after the permanent closure of the ESPN Club at Disney’s Boardwalk. The top two contenders are City Works and Splitsville.

• City Works is located on the West Side of Disney Springs, right by the Cirque du Soleil tent. It offers an impressive lineup of beers, including IPAs, stouts, ciders, and more, along with classic American bar food like burgers, wings, and dips. If you’re in the mood for brunch, they’ve got you covered with eggs, pancakes, and breakfast tacos until 3:00 p.m. on weekends.
• Splitsville is a fun combo of bowling, live music, and football. You can grab a seat at the outdoor bar or catch a game inside. Food-wise, they serve pizza, sushi, burgers, and plenty of shareable snacks. Their drink menu isn’t as expansive as City Works, but you’ll still find a decent selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.

Parking for both locations is easy—just head to the Orange Garage at Disney Springs, and you’re set.

Watching Football at the Parks

Let’s be real—if you’re paying for theme park admission, you probably don’t want to spend your day watching TV. But if you can’t resist sneaking in a few minutes of the game, your options are limited.

The only place we’ve found inside the parks with sports on TV is the Rainforest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You don’t even need park admission to get in, but you will have to pay for parking if you’re driving in. They’ve got TVs at the bar, so it’s a decent option if you’re at Animal Kingdom and can’t bear to miss a game.

Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer the comfort of your hotel room, the camaraderie of a lounge, or the excitement of a sports bar, Disney World has options to make sure you don’t miss any of the football action. So pack your team jersey, maybe throw a portable streaming device in your bag, and enjoy the magic of Disney without skipping the game!

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Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!