The Dan Campbell era has been a wild ride for Motor City football fans. While the team improved in each of Campbell’s first few seasons, 2025 saw a dip back to a 9-8 record. Interestingly, that same record earned them second place in the NFC North back in 2022, but last year, it landed them in fourth. With the division only getting stronger, the pride will need to stay sharp.
Whether you’re cheering from Detroit or across the country, not a whole lot has changed with the Lions’ viewing options this year. Still, you’ll want to make sure your TV plan is locked in before kickoff. Keep reading to learn exactly how to watch the Detroit Lions all season long.
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What channel shows Detroit Lions games?
In 2026, you can watch the Detroit Lions on CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. Most of the team’s Sunday afternoon games air regionally on CBS and FOX, but out-of-market fans will need NFL Sunday Ticket to catch those live.
This season’s schedule also features several standalone primetime and holiday matchups. I’m definitely keeping an eye on the Lions’ Week 10 trip to Munich, Germany, on FOX, as well as their traditional Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears on CBS.
2026 Detroit Lions TV schedule
The Lions’ 2026 schedule features several marquee TV windows, including prime-time matchups against the Bills and Vikings. It also includes an international game in Munich against the Patriots and the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field against the division-rival Bears.
With an early bye in Week 6, Detroit faces a grueling back-half push to get back into the postseason. I’ve mapped out every date, kickoff time, and channel listing in the table below.
NFL - Detroit Lions Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 12:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 29 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
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 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 9:30 a.m. | ||
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Monday, Dec. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Detroit Lions
For many fans living in Michigan, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is an incredibly effective and affordable way to catch a large chunk of the Detroit Lions’ schedule. But if you’re shopping for a reliable TV setup, I recommend pairing a YouTube TV subscription with Prime Video.
Combining a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV with Prime Video guarantees you won’t miss a game this season, giving you every local and national Lions broadcast. You’ll even get a majority of this season’s marquee NFL matchups, so you can keep an eye on the competition.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) is my top provider pick because it carries every traditional local and national network you need for Lions football, including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN.
Exclusive Games
You’ll need a Prime Video subscription ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) to stream the Lions’ Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 2, which is the inaugural game at Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you’re far from Detroit and constantly blacked out from the team’s Sunday afternoon broadcasts, you’ll need an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to tune in.
You can enjoy comprehensive Lions coverage with most TV providers, particularly those that offer local channels and ESPN. But the number of games you receive may vary by location due to the NFL’s TV blackout policies.
| Provider | Price | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$171.98/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. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What channel is the Detroit Lions Television Network?
The Detroit Lions Television Network is a web of regional broadcast affiliates that carry the team’s live preseason games and year-round local programming, such as “Inside the Pride.” Anchored by flagship station WJBK (FOX 2) in Detroit, the network reaches across both peninsulas of Michigan and Northern Ohio.
During preseason coverage on the network, you’ll hear the broadcast team of Jason Benetti (play-by-play), T.J. Lang (analyst), and Dannie Rogers (sideline). Out-of-market fans living beyond this regional footprint can still stream these exhibition matchups live via NFL+.
| TV market | Channel # | Station | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 2 | WJBK | FOX |
| Alpena, MI | 11.3 | WBKB-DT3 | ABC |
| Bay City-Saginaw-Midland-Flint, MI | 5 | WNEM-TV | CBS |
| Cadillac-Traverse City, MI | 32 | WFQX-TV | FOX |
| Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI | 17 | WXMI | FOX |
| Ishpeming-Marquette, MI | 10 | WBUP | ABC |
| Lansing–Jackson, MI | 47 | WSYM-TV | FOX |
| Toledo, OH | 36 | WUPW | FOX |
Watch the Detroit Lions for free
The most reliable way to catch the Detroit Lions for free is by setting up a digital antenna. Because the Lions play most of their games on Sunday afternoons, a basic TV antenna will pick up your local CBS and FOX affiliates, allowing you to watch the bulk of the season. You’ll also get access to any matchups broadcast on NBC or ABC, provided you live within range of the local station’s broadcast tower.
If an antenna doesn’t fit your living situation, testing a live TV streaming service is a great backup plan to catch a game for free. Services like YouTube TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV frequently offer free trials that include core NFL channels. Just keep in mind that local availability can vary widely by zip code, so double-check the lineup before you sign up.
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How to watch the Detroit Lions FAQ
Can I stream Lions games without cable?
Yes, you can stream Detroit Lions games without a traditional cable plan using live TV streaming services like DIRECTV and YouTube TV. Meanwhile, standalone services like Amazon Prime Video, FOX One, and Peacock Premium let you stream select matchups.
Can I watch the Detroit Lions for free?
Yes, a digital antenna lets you watch locally broadcast NFL games on your area's ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations without a TV subscription. You can also use free trials from live TV streaming platforms as a temporary viewing option.
How can I listen to Lions radio coverage?
Locally, you can listen to the Detroit Lions on the radio via 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM). Fans across Michigan and the surrounding region can also tune in to affiliate stations on the Lions Radio Network.
Why are Lions games blacked out in my area?
If you live outside the Detroit TV market, your local CBS and FOX affiliates will often prioritize broadcasting other NFL matchups on Sunday afternoons. That's why out-of-market fans must use NFL Sunday Ticket to bypass live blackouts.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, analyzed the Detroit Lions’ TV schedule by verifying channel listings and kickoff times with each broadcaster. He then evaluated major cable, satellite, and live TV streaming platforms to pinpoint the most reliable viewing options. Finally, Taylor constructed this guide by basing his top provider recommendations on game availability, monthly pricing, and overall user experience.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
