The New England Patriots collide with the visiting Indianapolis Colts in the 2026 preseason opener in Foxborough on Thursday.
It will be the first game action for the Patriots since their improbable Super Bowl LX run last season. They stunned the NFL world by going on a 14-3 regular season run, ousting the Buffalo Bills from the AFC East throne and knocking off the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
However, they ran into a brick wall against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl and fell as flat as a pancake. With that said, they've added another year of experience and multiple new talents across the board that should improve their odds of competing in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Colts had bad luck with injuries and fizzled out late last season, losing their last seven consecutive games. They ultimately ended the year by missing the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Check back on this page for live updates and highlights from the Week 1 preseason game.
What TV channel is Patriots vs. Colts football on today?
- TV channel: WBZ-TV CBS, FOX Sports
- Streaming: Patriots.com | Fubo (free trial)
The Patriots and Colts play Thursday in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL preseason. Quarterback Drake Maye isn't expected to play against the Colts. Both teams are expected to rest most of their starters for the exhibition game.
Streaming options for the game include Patriots.com and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Patriots vs. Colts football start time
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 13
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Patriots and Colts are slated to play on Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Foxborough will serve as the backdrop for the Week 1 preseason game at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots preseason schedule 2026
Below is New England's preseason schedule.
- Thursday, August 13: Patriots vs. Colts
- Saturday, August 22: Patriots vs. Eagles
- Thursday, August 27: Patriots at Browns
Patriots regular-season schedule 2026
Below is New England's regular-season schedule.
- Wednesday, Sept. 9: Patriots at Seahawks
- Sunday, Sept. 20: Patriots vs. Steelers
- Sunday, Sept. 27: Patriots at Jaguars
- Sunday, Oct. 4: Patriots at Bills
- Sunday, Oct. 5: Patriots at Bills
- Sunday, Oct. 11: Patriots vs. Raiders
- Sunday, Oct. 18: Patriots vs. Jets
- Thursday, Oct. 22: Patriots at Bears
- Sunday, Nov. 1: Patriots at Dolphins
- Sunday, Nov. 8: Patriots vs. Packers
- Sunday, Nov. 15: Patriots vs. Lions
- BYE WEEK
- Sunday, Nov. 29: Patriots at Chargers
- Sunday, Dec. 6: Patriots vs. Bills
- Thursday, Dec. 10: Patriots vs. Vikings
- Monday, Dec. 21: Patriots at Chiefs
- Sunday, Dec. 27: Patriots at Jets
- TBD: Patriots vs. Broncos
- TBD: Patriots vs. Dolphins
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots vs Colts Week 1 preseason game: Live updates, highlights