How to Watch NFL Games in 2026: TV Channels & Streaming Options
The NFL is the most popular sport in the United States. But keeping up with your team, or the league in general, can be tricky. In 2026, NFL games are spread across a wide range of TV channels and streaming services, which can sometimes leave fans unsure of where to watch the action.
Now, the bad news is that no single service will get you access to every game. How you tune in will depend on where you live, which team you want to follow, the day of the week, and more.
The good news, however, is that we are here to make it as easy as possible to find every game you would like to watch. By using our NFL TV and streaming schedule together with the guide below, you can find out what channel your favorite team is on throughout the season.
How does NFL TV coverage work?
| NFL games | TV channel | Streaming option |
|---|---|---|
| Local Sunday afternoon games | CBS, FOX | Paramount+, FOX One |
| Out-of-market Sunday afternoon games | — | NFL Sunday Ticket |
| Thursday Night Football | — | Prime Video |
| Sunday Night Football | NBC | Peacock |
| Monday Night Football | ESPN, selected games on ABC | ESPN Unlimited |
| Selected international games | NFL Network | NFL+, ESPN Unlimited |
| Selected special games | — | Netflix |
Exact availability can vary by market and week. Check our NFL TV and streaming schedule for the latest channel and streaming listings.
As every football fan knows, the majority of NFL games take place on Sundays, with most teams playing at either 1pm or 4.25pm ET. These Sunday afternoon games are split between CBS and FOX, and the game available on your local station will depend on where you are in the country. Local teams will generally be prioritized within their home markets.
Every week, the NFL also has a number of primetime games, often involving some of the league’s biggest teams. Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football throughout most of the regular season, beginning in Week 2. After most of the action is done on Sundays, NBC will show Sunday Night Football, with games also available to stream on Peacock. On Mondays, Monday Night Football will be shown on ESPN, with selected games also airing on ABC.
Throughout the season, there will also be games in other time slots, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, international games and other standalone windows. We’ll get into some of these below, but your best bet for checking exactly when a game is on and where it will be shown is our 2026 NFL TV schedule.
How can I watch local NFL games?
If you’re looking to watch locally broadcast Sunday afternoon NFL games, you will generally find them on your local CBS or FOX station. A digital antenna can give you access to these over-the-air broadcasts in areas with suitable reception.
However, not every game involving your local team will be shown on CBS or FOX. Primetime, national and streaming-exclusive games can appear on NBC, ESPN, ABC, Prime Video, Netflix, NFL Network or other platforms depending on the week.
Because of this, an antenna is a strong starting point for fans who mainly want to follow their local team, but you should still check the NFL schedule to see where each game will be shown.
How can I watch out-of-market NFL games?
If you’re looking to watch a Sunday NFL game that isn’t being shown in your local market, you won’t be able to do so without some form of subscription service. One option that might be useful to fans who support a team outside of their own market is NFL Sunday Ticket, which has been available since 1994.
With NFL Sunday Ticket, subscribers can watch eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon regular-season games shown on CBS and FOX, giving fans a full slate of games to choose from during those Sunday windows.
Games available on your local CBS or FOX station are not included in Sunday Ticket, while primetime and streaming-exclusive games are handled separately. If this sounds like the right service for you, read our NFL Sunday Ticket review for a full breakdown.
Fans may also be interested in NFL+, which provides access to NFL Network, out-of-market preseason games and live audio for every game, while NFL+ Premium also includes NFL RedZone and additional replay features.
NFL+ subscribers can watch live local and primetime regular-season games on phones and tablets, but the service does not provide live out-of-market Sunday afternoon regular-season games. So, it should not be thought of as an alternative to NFL Sunday Ticket. Read our NFL+ streaming review for more information.
What NFL games will be on NFL Network?
During the 2026 NFL regular season, NFL Network is scheduled to carry seven games, including five International Series games and a Week 16 doubleheader.
The five international games include all three London matchups, as well as games in Paris and Madrid. The Munich game between the Patriots and Lions will instead be shown on FOX and streamed on FOX One.
Our 2026 NFL International Games guide has the full breakdown of the overseas schedule and U.S. TV coverage.
NFL+ is one way to get access to NFL Network. ESPN Unlimited subscribers can also watch NFL Network programming through the ESPN app.
How can I watch NFL preseason games?
Before the main action begins, most NFL teams play three preseason games in August, giving coaches the chance to assess rookies, new signings and players competing for roster spots.
There is an exception in 2026, with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers playing an additional preseason game after taking part in the Hall of Fame Game.
If you’re looking to watch preseason football, our NFL preseason TV and streaming guide explains how coverage works, while our NFL schedule will show exactly when each game is on and which channel or streaming service is carrying it.
Can I watch NFL games on streaming?
Yes. A large part of the NFL schedule can now be watched through streaming platforms, although there still isn’t one service that carries every game.
Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football throughout most of the regular season, while Netflix has five regular-season games in 2026. Sunday Night Football airs on NBC and streams on Peacock, while ESPN Unlimited provides direct streaming access to ESPN’s NFL coverage.
Games shown on the major broadcast networks also have streaming options. NFL games available through your local CBS station can be streamed through Paramount+, while FOX One provides streaming access to FOX NFL games available in your market.
More comprehensive live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM and Fubo can also provide many of the major broadcast and cable channels used throughout the NFL season. Channel availability can vary by service and location, however, and additional subscriptions will still be required if you want access to every part of the schedule.
Which NFL viewing option do you need?
I mainly want my local team
If you’re mainly focused on your local team, a digital antenna is a strong starting point because many Sunday afternoon games will be shown on your local CBS or FOX station.
However, your team can also appear in primetime or streaming-exclusive games throughout the season, so an antenna alone will not necessarily cover every game.
My favorite team is out of market
If you support a team that plays outside your local market, NFL Sunday Ticket could be the plan for you. It will give you access to eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games throughout the regular season.
You’ll still need the relevant national or streaming service when your team plays in primetime or in an exclusive game outside the Sunday afternoon windows.
I mainly watch on my phone
NFL+ could be one of the best options for you, particularly if you mainly want to watch local and primetime games on your phone or tablet.
If you support an out-of-market team and want to watch its Sunday afternoon games live, however, you’ll still need NFL Sunday Ticket.
I want to watch as much football as possible
If you’re a diehard football fan and are willing to pay a little more, a comprehensive live TV streaming service such as YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM or Fubo can be a good starting point, as these services carry many of the major broadcast and cable channels used throughout the NFL season.
If you also want out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, you’ll need to add NFL Sunday Ticket. Prime Video and Netflix are still required for the games exclusive to those services, while NFL+ Premium could also be worth considering if you want access to NFL RedZone.
There is no single subscription that gives you absolutely everything, which is why the right setup depends on the games and teams you want to follow.
NFL TV and streaming FAQs
What is NFL RedZone?
NFL RedZone switches between Sunday afternoon games to show scoring opportunities and touchdowns from around the league. It is available with NFL+ Premium and through selected TV and streaming providers.
What NFL games are on Netflix in 2026?
Netflix will stream five regular-season NFL games in 2026: the Australia game in Week 1, a Thanksgiving Eve game, two Christmas Day games and one Week 18 game.
See the full list of dates, kickoff times and viewing details in our NFL on Netflix 2026 guide .
Can I watch every NFL game with one streaming service?
No. NFL games are split across several broadcasters and streaming services, so there is no single subscription that provides every game. The services you need depend on your market, favorite team and the games you want to watch.
Can I watch local NFL games without cable?
Yes. Local Sunday afternoon games can be watched over the air on CBS or FOX with a suitable digital antenna. Local CBS games can also be streamed on Paramount+, while FOX games available in your market can be streamed on FOX One.
Where can I see what NFL games are on TV today?
Check the NFL TV and streaming schedule for upcoming games, kickoff times, TV channels and streaming services. Listings are updated as broadcast information is confirmed.