NFL preseason schedule 2026: Dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch every game, week by week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nearly six months after the Seattle Seahawks were crowned Super Bowl champions, the NFL is back.
The Hall of Fame Game leads into three full weeks of preseason action as teams gear up for the 2026 season and get their first real look at new players, coaches and schemes.
While many established stars will get limited (if any) playing time in preseason games, there are plenty of storylines to follow in August. The spotlight will be on players returning from injury (most notably Patrick Mahomes), touted rookies led by Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and position battles across the league.
Whatever your interests, the bottom line is there will be football to watch at last. Here's when and where to tune in to every preseason game.
Where to watch NFL preseason games in 2026
- TV channels: NBC, CBS, ESPN, NFL Network, local stations
- Live streams:fubo, DIRECTV, ESPN app, Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock
NFL preseason games will be broadcast across a variety of platforms. The league's national partners — NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN and Prime Video — will have one exclusive game apiece during the preseason.
The rest of the games will be broadcast in the participating teams' local markets, but NFL Network will simulcast several games each week, as will the ESPN app via its Unlimited plan. See the full game schedule below.
Fans can also stream many of the games on fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers so you can try before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
NFL preseason schedule 2026
Hall of Fame Game
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Aug. 6 | Cardinals vs. Panthers^ | 8 p.m. | NBC, fubo, DIRECTV, Peacock |
^ at Canton, Ohio
Preseason Week 1 games
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Aug. 13 | Bengals vs. Lions | 7 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) |
| Steelers vs. Packers | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Patriots vs. Colts | 7:30 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Raiders vs. Cardinals | 8 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Texans vs. Chargers | 8 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| 49ers vs. Titans | 9 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Fri., Aug. 14 | Falcons vs. Broncos | 7 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) |
| Jets vs. Buccaneers | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Commanders vs. Dolphins | 7 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Sat., Aug. 15 | Bills vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) |
| Bears vs. Browns | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Giants vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Chiefs vs. Rams | 4 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Saints vs. Jaguars | 4 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Ravens vs. Eagles | 7 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Seahawks vs. Cowboys | 8 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |
Preseason Week 2 games
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Aug. 20 | Texans vs. Raiders | 8 p.m. | ESPN, fubo, DIRECTV, ESPN app |
| Chargers vs. 49ers | 10 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Fri., Aug. 21 | Steelers vs. Jets | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |
| Jaguars vs. Panthers | 7:30 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Broncos vs. Packers | 9 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Sat., Aug. 22 | Lions vs. Commanders | 12 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) |
| Browns vs. Bills | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Colts vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Vikings vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Rams vs. Saints | 4 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Dolphins vs. Giants | 4 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Bengals vs. Bears | 7 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Patriots vs. Eagles | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Buccaneers vs. Chiefs | 7:30 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Cardinals vs. Cowboys | 10 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Sun., Aug. 23 | Titans vs. Seahawks | 8 p.m. | Fox, fubo, DIRECTV |
Preseason Week 3 games
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Aug. 27 | Bills vs. Steelers | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |
| Browns vs. Patriots | 8 p.m. | Prime Video | |
| Raiders vs. 49ers | 8 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Chargers vs. Rams | 10 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Fri., Aug. 28 | Ravens vs. Commanders | 6 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |
| Dolphins vs. Falcons | 7 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Panthers vs. Texans | 7 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Jets vs. Giants | 7:30 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Jaguars vs. Buccaneers | 7:30 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Cowboys vs. Saints | 8 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Chiefs vs. Seahawks | 8 p.m. | Local channels, ESPN app, fubo (local) | |
| Eagles vs. Bengals | 8 p.m. | CBS, fubo, DIRECTV, Paramount+ | |
| Packers vs. Cardinals | 8 p.m. | Local channels, fubo (local) | |
| Broncos vs. Vikings | 9 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV | |
| Sat., Aug. 29 | Colts vs. Lions | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |
| Titans vs. Bears | 6 p.m. | NFL Network, fubo, DIRECTV |