The Houston Texans are looking to secure a promising start to the 2026 NFL season with a win on Thursday night.
Of course, it's the preseason and anything can happen. Teams will often go 3-0, feel as if they've turned the corner and proceed to finish with a losing record. The same goes for teams who drop the first two matchups against playoff contenders, but instead make a run toward the Super Bowl.
For the Texans, they just want to set the tone against the Los Angeles Chargers with a bunch of newcomers hopefully being factors and making life challenging when it comes to roster cutdown dates.
The Texans and Bolts will air locally on ABC at 7 p.m. CT Thursday at Reliant Stadium. According to BetMGM, the Texans open as a 1-point favorite at home over Los Angeles, with the over/under set at 36.
Houston won't be at full strength, as Texans coach DeMeco Ryans already announced multiple players will not see action during Thursday's performance. This likely includes Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins, quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr., offensive lineman Wyatt Teller and others.
Here's where to watch Texans vs. Chargers in the first preseason game of 2026.
What TV channel is Texans vs. Chargers on today?
- TV: ABC (locally)
- Streaming: FuboTV (stream here)
- How to watch online: FuboTV (stream here)
The Texans and Chargers play Thursday evening locally in Houston on ABC in the first preseason game. There will be a replay of the game later this week on NFL Network. With a win, Houston will start off 3-1 under Ryans in preseason Week 1 matchups.
Streaming options for the game include FuboTV
Texans vs. Chargers start time
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 13
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
Texans-Chargers odds
According to BetMGM, the Texans open as a 1-point favorite at home over Los Angeles, with the over/under set at 36.
Texans tickets
Looking to buy Texans tickets for Thursday or next week's bout against the Las Vegas Raiders? We've got you covered. Click the link here to find the best seats in the house at the last moment.
Texans' regular-season schedule 2025
Below is Houston's regular-season schedule.
Week 1: Sunday, September 13, Noon CT: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 2: Sunday, September 20, Noon CT: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3: Sunday, September 27, Noon CT: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 4: Sunday, October 4, Noon CT: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 5: Sunday, October 11, Noon CT: at Tennessee Titans
Week 6: Sunday, October 19, 8:30 a.m.: at Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Week 7: Sunday, October 25, 9 p.m. CT: vs. New York Giants
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1: Bye Week
Week 9: Sunday, November 8, 3:00 p.m. CT: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 10: Sunday, November 15, Noon CT: at Cleveland Browns
Week 11: Thursday, November 19, 7:20 p.m. CT: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 12: Thursday, November 29, Noon: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 13: Sunday, December 6, 7:20 p.m. CT: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 14: Sunday, December 13, Noon CT: at Washington Commanders
Week 15: Sunday, December 20, Noon CT: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 16: Thursday, December 24, 7:15 p.m. CT: at Philadelphia Eagles (Amazon Prime)
Week 17: Monday, January 4, 7:20 p.m. CT: at Green Bay Packers
Week 18: TBD: vs. Tennessee Titans
Texans preseason schedule
- Week 1: Chargers vs. Texans (Aug. 13, 7 p.m. CT on ABC)
- Week 2: Raiders vs. Texans (Aug. 20, 7 p.m. CT on ABC)
- Week 3: Texans at Panthers (Aug. 28, 6 p.m. CT on ABC)
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: What TV channel is Texans vs. Chargers on today? Preseason Game 1, time, schedule