Best Sports on TV This Weekend (August 16-17th): The Return of Premier League Soccer & NFL Preseason

As summer comes to an end, the sports season is only just beginning. In mid-August, NFL preseason begins to ramp up, while many of Europe’s major soccer leagues are starting back up for the 2025-26 campaign. On top of that, the MLB is still in full swing, as we inch closer to the business end of the season, and the Richmond Raceway will also enjoy a busy weekend. Make sure to visit the Live Sports on TV Website, where you will find up-to-date schedules and broadcast information for every sport.

Top 3 Must-Watch Sporting Events This Weekend: August 16-17th

With a week of action already under our belt, the most interesting narratives of the 2025 NFL preseason have already begun to emerge. The MLB playoff picture is starting to take shape, and there is still plenty left to play for. Across the pond, the Premier League season kicks off as well, and to make sure you don’t miss a second of the action, get the schedule on the Live Sports on TV Website.

NFL Preseason: Jacksonville Jaguars @ New Orleans Saints

• Day: Sunday, August 17th
• Time: 1 PM ET
• Channel: NFL Network, NFL+

We get a look at two of this class’s most intriguing rookies on the field at the same time in both Travis Hunter and Tyler Shough. Starting with the second overall pick, Hunter wants to show that he can play on both sides of the ball in the NFL and prove the copious amount of doubters wrong. Shough, on the other hand, was a puzzling pick to many, one of the quarterbacks taken ahead of Shedeur Sanders on his infamous draft day slide. As a rookie who turns 26 in December, there are considerable expectations for Shough to hit the ground running and at least be a serviceable QB in the Big Easy.  

Premier League: Manchester United vs Arsenal 

• When: Sunday, August 17th
• Time: 11:30 ET
• Channel: NBC, Telemundo, Peacock

Both of these teams come into the season with a whole lot to prove: for Arsenal, it’s time to show they’re legitimate title challengers, for the Red Devils, the fans need a sign of life. United fans have seen strong preseason performances fail to translate into sustainable form in the Premier League many times before. Ruben Amorim has finally had a full preseason with his men, and will hope that Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Šeško can add some much-needed killer instinct to his front line that looked toothless for most of last season. 

Mikel Arteta will also be hoping that his big-money forward Viktor Gyökeres makes a strong impression. For years now, Gunner fans have lamented that they’re a striker away from reaching the next level and capturing some silverware. Sunday will give both teams a chance to come out swinging, where getting out to a weak start could mean life or death for either manager.

MLB: San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers 

• When: Saturday, August 16th
• Time: 9:10 ET
• Channel: CBS, MLB.TV

The reigning champion LA Dodgers will host their in-state rivals this weekend in a rivalry game that has already reached fever pitch this season, providing some fireworks in the sweltering SoCal heat. Back when the two sides faced off at Dodger Stadium in June, the benches cleared after Tatis was struck by a stray pitch. Managers Mike Shildt and Dave Robinson got into it and were ejected as a result. Padres pitcher Robert Suarez retaliated against Shohei Ohtani later in the night, so tensions will certainly be high this weekend. 

Not to mention, only two games separate them at the top of the NL West. This time around, the Padres have trade deadline acquisition Mason Miller to try and usurp LA atop the division, making this a hugely consequential series in the 2025 season.

Sport on August 16-17th: ​​Full Weekend Sporting Highlights by Day

Saturday, August 16th

• NFL Preseason – (1:00pm ET, Fubo Sports, WBZ-TV): New England Patriots @ Minnesota Vikings: The new-look Pats were dominant in their preseason debut, while the glimpses of JJ McCarthy were promising, but left Vikings fans wanting more. 
• MLB Regular Season - (6:40pm ET, Fubo SPorts, MLB.TV): Milwaukee Brewers @ Cincinnati Reds. The Brewers have more wins than any other team in 2025, and will be a tough test for anyone, but the Reds enter this matchup as postseason hopefuls, well within the NL Wildcard Race.
• WNBA Regular Season - (2:00pm ET, CBS, Paramount+, WNBA League Pass): New York Liberty @ Minnesota Lynx.A rematch of the 2024 WNBA Finals, which ultimately went in New York’s favor. The Lynx will be hoping for revenge at home as they continue to assert their regular-season dominance over the Liberty. 
• PGA Tour Golf: BMW Championship, Round 3 - (9:10 am ET, CBS, Golf Channel): Stars of the game, such as Scottie Sheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Keegan Bradley, will duke it out at the last hurdle before the TOUR Championship.
• NASCAR: Richmond Raceway- Cook Out 400 - (7:30pm ET, Fubo Sports, USA Network, TSN5): Wrapping up a whirlwind few days in Virginia is the Cook Out 400, the third-to-last race of the season, which could have huge NASCAR playoff implications.
• Muay Thai: Rajadamnern World Series - (8:00am ET, Fubo Sports): The best Muay Thai fighters from around the world, competing in multiple formats in the art’s most historic venue. What’s not to love?

Sunday, August 17th

• NFL Preseason – (1:00pm ET, NFL Network, NFL +, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV): Jacksonville Jaguars @ New Orleans Saints: The Jags spent their second overall pick on Heisman-winner Travis Hunter, who will hope to prove himself as a two-way player against a chaotic Saints offense. 
• MLB Regular Season - (4:10pm ET, FUBO, MLB Network, MLB.TV): San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers: A historic rivalry which grows stronger as the years go by, this Southern California classic carries huge postseason implications for both teams. 
• WNBA Regular Season - (6:00pm ET, ABC, Fubo Sports): Phoenix Mercury @ Seattle Storm: A matchup that could be decisive for the playoff picture in the West, the clash between the Mercury’s high-flying offense and Seattle’s more measured defense will be must-see TV,
• PGA Tour Golf: BMW Championship, Final Round - (9:10 am ET, CBS, Golf Channel): It all comes down to this, as the group narrows to 30, and the Championship is on the horizon.
• Moto GP: Austria Grand Prix - (8:00am ET, Fox Sports 1): At the scenic Red Bull Ring, Francesco Bagnaia will look to make it four straight wins in Austria, hoping to close the gap with Marc Marquez atop the standings. 
• MLS Regular Season Matches - (Various times, MLS Season Pass): The next installment of thrilling MLS action is streaming via Apple’s MLS Season Pass.

Remember to keep an eye on our TV Sports Guide each weekend, giving you a rundown of everything on each and every day with timings and broadcast information.

Written by: Venuse, Inc. (Sports Content Creator)

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