The Atlanta Falcons are preparing to play their first 2026 preseason game, which will be against the Denver Broncos on Friday, Aug. 14. The contest will give Tua Tagovailoa a chance to stake his claim to the Falcons' starting job.
\nTagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons in 2026 free agency to provide veteran insurance, and competition, for 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.
\nPenix is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered midway through the 2025 season. His status for the start of the season remains murky, and his inability to play in preseason Week 1 will afford Tagovailoa the first crack at convincing new coach Kevin Stefanski he deserves a chance to start.
\nMeanwhile, Sean Payton confirmed the Broncos will play some of their starters, but third-year quarterback Bo Nix will not be in action for the first week of the preseason. The 26-year-old is expected to play the next two preseason contests, both of which are to be played on grass surfaces. The Broncos vs. Falcons game will be played on a turf surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
\nHere's more to know about the Broncos vs. Falcons preseason game and how to watch it.
\nWhat time is Broncos vs Falcons?
\nKickoff between Denver and Atlanta is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 14.
\nHow to watch Broncos vs Falcons on Friday
\n- Date: Aug. 14
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Broncos vs Falcons TV channel
\n- TV channel (national):NFL+ | ESPN Unlimited
- TV channel (local): WAGA (Atlanta) | KUSA (Denver)
- Streaming:NFL+
NFL+ Premium will carry the entirety of the preseason. Friday's preseason game will also air on ESPN Unlimited.
\nFor those looking to stream, Fubo carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks.
\nWatch the NFL all season on Fubo
\nNFL preseason Week 1 schedule
\nThursday, Aug. 13
\n- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions, 7 p.m. ET
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers, 7 p.m. ET
- New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m. ET
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans, 9 p.m. ET
Friday, Aug. 14
\n- Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos, 7 p.m. ET
- New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7 p.m. ET
- Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
Saturday, Aug. 15
\n- Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
- Buffalo Bills vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
- New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4 p.m. ET
- New Orleans Saints vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4 p.m. ET
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET
- Seattle Seahawks vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8 p.m. ET
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where to watch Broncos vs Falcons preseason game: TV, live streaming