The 2026 NFL preseason is underway, giving football fans their first opportunity to watch teams prepare for the upcoming regular season. Preseason action runs from August 6 through August 29, 2026, with games airing across NFL Network, ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX and Prime Video.
For fans looking for where to watch NFL preseason games in 2026, there are also several streaming options, including NFL+, Peacock, ESPN+, Paramount+ and live TV streaming services.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 NFL preseason, including TV channels, streaming options and the complete schedule.
How to watch the 2026 NFL preseason
Dates: August 6-29, 2026
TV channels: NFL Network, ESPN, NBC, CBS, FOX
Streaming: Prime Video, Peacock, ESPN+, Paramount+, NFL+
NFL Network will carry a large portion of the 2026 preseason schedule, while nationally televised games will also appear on ESPN, NBC, CBS and FOX.
Streaming availability varies depending on the game and location. NFL+ provides access to preseason coverage, while games airing on NBC, CBS and ESPN may also be available through their respective streaming platforms and services.
What channel are NFL preseason games on?
The primary channel for watching the 2026 NFL preseason is NFL Network. However, select nationally televised games are scheduled for ESPN, CBS, FOX and NBC.
Prime Video will also exclusively stream the New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns matchup on Thursday, August 27.
Fans should keep in mind that local broadcast availability can vary by market.
NFL 2026 preseason schedule
All times listed are Eastern Time (ET).
Thursday, August 6
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Hall of Fame Game) — 8:00 p.m. — NBC / Peacock
Thursday, August 13
Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots — 7:30 p.m. — NFL Network
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers — 9:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Friday, August 14
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Jets — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Saturday, August 15
Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Los Angeles Rams vs. Kansas City Chiefs — 4:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints — 4:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Thursday, August 20
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans — 8:00 p.m. — ESPN
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers — 10:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Friday, August 21
New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — 7:30 p.m. — NFL Network
Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos — 9:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Saturday, August 22
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions — 12:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Baltimore Ravens vs. Minnesota Vikings — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Rams — 4:00 p.m. — NFL Network
New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins — 4:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Chicago Bears vs. Cincinnati Bengals — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 7:30 p.m. — NFL Network
Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals — 10:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Sunday, August 23
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans — 8:00 p.m. — FOX
Thursday, August 27
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns — 8:00 p.m. — Prime Video
San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers — 10:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Friday, August 28
Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens — 6:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins — 7:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — 7:30 p.m. — NFL Network
New York Giants vs. New York Jets — 7:30 p.m. — NFL Network
New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs — 8:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles — 8:00 p.m. — CBS
Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos — 9:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Saturday, August 29
Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts — 1:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans — 6:00 p.m. — NFL Network
Can you watch the NFL preseason on YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is one option for fans who want access to many of the channels carrying NFL games. Its channel lineup includes major broadcast networks such as CBS, FOX and NBC, along with ESPN and NFL Network, although local channel availability can depend on the viewer’s market.
YouTube TV is also the U.S. home of NFL Sunday Ticket, which provides access to Sunday afternoon out-of-market regular-season games. However, Sunday Ticket is primarily a regular-season package and is not required to watch the NFL preseason.
Can you watch NFL preseason games on NFL+?
NFL+ is another major option for watching preseason football. Availability can vary based on the game, device and whether the matchup is being shown in the viewer’s local market.
Because NFL Network carries so many preseason games, fans looking to follow multiple teams throughout August should check both NFL Network and NFL+ availability.
When does the 2026 NFL preseason end?
The 2026 NFL preseason concludes Saturday, August 29, with the Chicago Bears facing the Tennessee Titans at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Once the preseason concludes, teams will turn their attention toward final roster decisions and preparations for the 2026 NFL regular season.
2026 NFL preseason TV and streaming outlook
For viewers trying to watch as much preseason football as possible, NFL Network is the most important channel, carrying the majority of the games listed on the 2026 schedule.
National games will be spread across ESPN, NBC, CBS and FOX, while streaming options include NFL+, Peacock, Prime Video, ESPN+ and Paramount+, depending on the specific broadcast.
With games running from August 6 through August 29, the 2026 NFL preseason provides nearly a month of football before the regular season begins.