The New England Patriots made it all the way to the Super Bowl last season. Even though they lost that game, it was a highly successful season.
Now the calendar turns to 2026, and the Patriots are looking to not only sustain that level of success, but exceed it under coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye.
This season is sure to be full of excitement. Keep reading to find out how you can watch the Patriots all season long with our comprehensive viewing guide.
What channels have New England Patriots games?
CBS will air at least eight Patriots games during the 2026 NFL regular season. FOX has a few games and NBC has two. The Bills will also appear on ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
In-market fans also have the option to stream CBS-aired games on Paramount+. Plus, all NBC games stream on Peacock Premium.
Want radio coverage? Then you’re in luck! The New England Patriots have a radio network that covers Massachusetts, five bordering states, and Maine. Find the radio station closest to you.
If you live outside those seven states, then you will need an NFL+ or SiriusXM subscription to listen to Patriots play-by-play coverage.
2026 New England Patriots TV schedule
The start of the 2026 NFL season for the Patriots is marked by playing three out of four games on the road, including a Week 1 clash with the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Other notable games are Week 10 against the Detroit Lions in Germany and Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Patriots don’t have a bye week until Week 11. Check out the team’s full schedule below.
NFL - New England Patriots Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Week 1 | Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 7 | Thursday, Oct. 22 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 9:30 a.m. | ||
Week 11 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Thursday, Dec. 10 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Monday, Dec. 21 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best ways to watch the New England Patriots
Most New England Patriots games this season will air on broadcast channels like CBS, FOX, and NBC. But then there’s the Week 13 game on ESPN.
In that case, I think fans would be best served by YouTube TV this season. I’ll get more into what I like about the service in a bit.
Here’s the rub: If you want to watch the game against the New York Jets in Week 11, you’ll need Amazon Prime Video. But instead of paying for that service, I say just get a 30-day free trial in time for the game.
Best overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) makes it so easy to watch not just the NFL, but various sports. From the pro football side, not only can anyone access their local broadcast stations, but the service includes ESPN and every local broadcast network. So if you’re an in-market Patriots fan, you can keep track of your team and others throughout the season.
I also like YouTube TV for its accessible interface, unlimited DVR storage, and various other types of content like movies, TV shows, news channels, and more.
Exclusive games
Patriots fans will want an Amazon Prime Video subscription ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) this season. Three New England games will stream exclusively on the platform — the last matchup of the preseason, Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, and Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Out-of-Market Coverage
For Patriots fans living outside of the team’s broadcast area, getting NFL Sunday Ticket will be huge. You’ll get to watch any Sunday games featuring the Patriots, and so many other NFL games that aren’t showing in your local market.
Pretty much every TV provider you can think of has the channels you need to watch the New England Patriots this season. But coverage will ultimately depend on where you live. Keep that in mind as you choose a provider.
| Provider | Price | CBS | ESPN | FOX | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV 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.
*Available in select markets.
What channel is the Patriots Preseason Network?
The Patriots Preseason TV Network consists of channels across New England. Its flagship channel is WBZ-TV in Boston. Check out the table below to see where you can watch the team’s preseason games when they air locally.
If you’re a Patriots fan who lives outside of these areas, you can watch preseason games on NFL+.
| TV Market | Channel # | Station | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, Massachusetts | 4 | WBZ-TV | CBS |
| Springfield, Massachusetts | 22 | WWLP-TV | NBC |
| Providence, Rhode Island | 12 | WPRI-TV | FOX |
| Manchester, New Hampshire | 9 | WMUR-TV | ABC |
| Portland/Auburn, Maine | 8 | WMTW-TV | ABC |
| Bangor, Maine | 7 | WVII-TV | FOX |
| Hartford, Connecticut | 8 | WCTX-TV | MyNetworkTV |
| Burlington, Vermont | 22 | WCAX-TV | CBS |
How to watch the New England Patriots FAQ
Can I watch New England Patriots games for free?
Yes. Fans can watch most games with a digital antenna if they're on FOX, CBS, NBC, or a local affiliate station. You can also get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime Video for those streaming exclusive games. Alternatively, you can sign up for a free trial of a live TV streaming service that includes a combination of local and national channels.
Do the New England Patriots have any holiday games?
No, the Patriots are not playing on any major holidays during the 2026 season.
How can I listen to the Patriots on the radio?
The flagship radio station for the New England Patriots is 98.5 FM The Sports Hub.
Are the Patriots playing an international game in 2026?
Yes. The Patriots play the Detroit Lions in Germany on November 15 at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com freelance writer, David Vick, analyzed this season’s New England Patriots game schedule, cross-referencing every kickoff time and channel with each broadcaster. This process helped him identify the best TV providers for watching Patriots games this season, considering the unique needs of both in-market and out-of-market fans.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
