The Buffalo Bills are arguably the most successful NFL team of the 2020s to not (yet) hoist the Lombardi Trophy. But after owning the AFC East for six years, they finished 2025 second in the division.
Quarterback Josh Allen will try to lead the Bills back to the top of a division that includes the New England Patriots, who played in the most recent Super Bowl. Buffalo has the eighth-hardest schedule in the NFL.
Whether you’re in Western New York or cheering from across the country, read on to find out how to watch Buffalo Bills games live. We break down the channels, TV schedule, and streaming services you need to catch every snap of the 2026 NFL season.
What channel shows Buffalo Bills games?
To watch all Buffalo Bills games, you’ll need ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix. You can also stream your in-market CBS games with Paramount+ and all NFL on NBC matchups on Peacock Premium.
This channel list doesn’t include out-of-market games, though. Let’s say you live in New Mexico and want to watch all 17 Bills games; you’ll need NFL Sunday Ticket. Depending on where you live in New Mexico, you’ll likely receive more Broncos or Cardinals games on Sunday mornings and afternoons.
2026 Buffalo Bills TV schedule
The Bills get three consecutive home games early in the season, presenting a good opportunity for them to start 2026 strong. Some of their marquee matchups include a Week 4 showdown against the Patriots and a Week 12 tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Additionally, Buffalo has one game each on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix this season. If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for those services so you can stream those games live.
NFL - Buffalo Bills Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Week 5 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Thursday, Sept. 17 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Monday, Oct. 12 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Monday, Nov. 9 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Saturday, Dec. 19 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | 4:30 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Buffalo Bills
While our pick for a TV plan won’t get you every single Bills game this season, it comes pretty close. A subscription to YouTube TV offers multiple benefits for Buffalo fans no matter where they live. More on that later.
You’ll also need access to Netflix and Prime Video accounts to watch the games streaming exclusively on those platforms this season.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) offers Bills fans access to every local and national channel that games will air on this season. That includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. The platform is easy to use and has a clean interface, and its channel lineup allows for watching many more live sporting events than just the NFL.
Exclusive Games
Securing an Amazon Prime Video subscription ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) is a crucial move for Bills fans who want to catch the home opener, as their Week 2 Thursday Night Football clash with the Detroit Lions streams exclusively on the platform.
Out-of-Market Coverage
NFL Sunday Ticket is a must-have for displaced Buffalo Bills fans because it guarantees access to every Sunday afternoon matchup not shown on your local TV stations. You need to live outside the team’s regional broadcast market to actually reap these benefits, as in-market games are strictly blacked out on the platform.
Most live TV streaming and cable packages offer extensive Buffalo Bills coverage, especially if they carry essential NFL channels like CBS and ESPN. But your physical location can limit which matchups are available to you because of the league’s out-of-market broadcasting rules.
| TV service | Price | ABC | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
Watch the Buffalo Bills for free with an antenna
Buffalo Bills fans can watch several games for free using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. That’s because many primetime NFL matchups air on local channels. Plus, if you’re in or near the Buffalo area, an antenna should pick up the in-market Sunday afternoon games on CBS and FOX.
Now, if you don’t live in the general Buffalo TV market, those early Sunday games might be blacked out in your area. In that case, you’ll need an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription, which is one of the priciest TV packages out there.
To see which local channels you can pick up for free in your area, use the FCC’s Reception Map Tool. You can then check out our list of highly-rated antennas to find the perfect fit for your home.
Pro tip: If you live outside Buffalo, you don’t always need a pricey NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to catch out-of-market broadcasts. You can find a Bills Backers chapter near you to watch these matchups at a local bar. It’s a great way to save money and sing the “Shout!” song with fellow fans.
How to watch the Buffalo Bills FAQ
Can I stream Bills games without cable?
Yes. There are several live TV streaming services with local and national channels. You can stream games on ESPN and ABC with ESPN Unlimited. You can also stream games on CBS and NBC with Paramount+ and Peacock Premium, respectively. And the Bills will have two streaming exclusives in 2026 on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
Can I watch the Buffalo Bills on Paramount+?
Yes, any Buffalo Bills game that airs on CBS in your region will stream on Paramount+.
How can I listen to Buffalo Bills games on the radio?
Buffalo Bills radio coverage airs locally on WGR 550 and Bills Radio Network affiliates. You can also stream game-day audio on NFL+.
Can I watch Buffalo Bills games for free?
Buffalo Bills fans can watch several games for free using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. That's because many primetime NFL matchups air on local channels. Plus, if you're in or near the Buffalo area, an antenna should pick up the in-market Sunday afternoon games on CBS and FOX. You can also sign up for a free trial of a live TV streaming service.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Writer, Chantel Buchi, analyzed the complete Buffalo Bills broadcast schedule to map out the specific networks and platforms needed for the season. She evaluated a wide range of live TV and streaming packages against complex regional blackout policies and digital exclusivity windows. Armed with this data, she crafted straightforward viewing recommendations designed to accommodate every fan’s budget and level of dedication.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
