Before the NFL regular season starts, there’s a month of preseason matchups to watch. Most of these exhibition games air on local channels, though you’ll need a TV plan with NFL Network or an NFL+ subscription to get the most live coverage.
Will last year’s duds become this year’s studs? We can’t say for sure, but preseason can provide a glimpse of what to expect.
Keep reading for complete details on how to watch your favorite NFL team this preseason—including game schedules and channel listings.
What channels are NFL preseason games on?
Most NFL preseason games air locally on each team’s TV affiliate network. You can also watch several nationally televised preseason games on NFL Network. In 2023, five other national broadcasts will appear across Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC.
Pro tip: All non-nationally televised games stream live on NFL+ (formerly NFL Game Pass) for out-of-market fans who don’t live near their favorite teams.
2023 NFL preseason schedule
The 2023 NFL preseason begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 3, in Canton, Ohio. After that, preseason matchups continue over the next three weeks before wrapping up on Sunday, August 27. The fourth and final week of the NFL preseason is a bye week as college football makes its full return over the Labor Day weekend.
Below is the complete NFL preseason schedule. Tap the boxes to expand each week and view every matchup—including kick-off times and channel listings.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns at New York Jets | Thursday, August 3 | 8 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
| Houston Texans at New England Patriots | Thursday, August 10 | 7 p.m. | KTRK-TV 13, Patriots Preseason TV Network |
| Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks | Thursday, August 10 | 10 p.m. | KMSP-TV 9, KING-TV 5 |
| Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins | Friday, August 11 | 7 p.m. | WAGA-TV 5, WFOR-TV 4 |
| Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals | Friday, August 11 | 7 p.m. | Packers TV Network, Bengals Preseason TV Network |
| New York Giants at Detroit Lions | Friday, August 11 | 7 p.m. | WNBC 4, Lions TV Network |
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Friday, August 11 | 7 p.m. | KDKA-TV 2, WFLA-TV 8 |
| Washington Commanders at Cleveland Browns | Friday, August 11 | 7:30 p.m. | WRC-TV 4, WEWS-TV 5 |
| Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals | Friday, August 11 | 10 p.m. | KTVD 20, KPNX 12 |
| Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills | Saturday, August 12 | 1 p.m. | WTTV 4, WIVB-TV 4 |
| Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears | Saturday, August 12 | 1 p.m. | WKRN-TV 2, WFLD 32 |
| New York Jets at Carolina Panthers | Saturday, August 12 | 4 p.m. | WCBS-TV 2, Panther TV Network |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Dallas Cowboys | Saturday, August 12 | 5 p.m. | WFOX-TV 30, KTVT 11 |
| Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens | Saturday, August 12 | 7 p.m. | WCAU 10, WBAL-TV 11 |
| Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams | Saturday, August 12 | 9 p.m. | KCBS-TV 2, KABC-TV 7 |
| Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints | Sunday, August 13 | 1 p.m. | KSHB-TV 41, WVUE-DT 8 |
| San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders | Sunday, August 13 | 4 p.m. | KPIX-TV 5, KVVU-TV 5 |
Data effective as of post date.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles | Thursday, August 17 | 7:30 p.m. | WEWS-TV 5, WCAU 10 |
| Carolina Panthers at New York Giants | Friday, August 18 | 7 p.m. | Panther TV Network, WNBC 4 |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons | Friday, August 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Bengals Preseason TV Network, WAGA-TV 5 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions | Saturday, August 19 | 1 p.m. | WFOX-TV 30, Lions TV Network |
| Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers | Saturday, August 19 | 6:30 p.m. | WIVB-TV 4, KDKA-TV 2 |
| Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts | Saturday, August 19 | 7 p.m. | WFLD 32, WXIN 59 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets | Saturday, August 19 | 7:30 p.m. | WFLA-TV 8, WCBS-TV 2 |
| Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals | Saturday, August 19 | 8 p.m. | KSHB-TV 41, KPNX 12 |
| Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans | Saturday, August 19 | 8 p.m. | WFOR-TV 4, KTRK-TV 13 |
| New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers | Saturday, August 19 | 8 p.m. | Patriots Preseason TV Network, Packers TV Network |
| Tennessee Titans at Minnesota Vikings | Saturday, August 19 | 8 p.m. | WKRN-TV 2, KMSP-TV 9 |
| Denver Broncos at San Francisco 49ers | Saturday, August 19 | 8:30 p.m. | KTVD 20, KPIX-TV 5 |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams | Saturday, August 19 | 9 p.m. | KVVU-TV 5, KABC-TV 7 |
| Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | Saturday, August 19 | 10 p.m. | KTVT 11, KING-TV 5 |
| New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers | Sunday, August 20 | 7:05 p.m. | WVUE-DT 8, KCBS-TV 2 |
| Baltimore Ravens at Washington Commanders | Monday, August 21 | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
Data effective as of post date.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons | Thursday, August 24 | 7:30 p.m. | KDKA-TV 2, WAGA-TV 5 |
| Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles | Thursday, August 24 | 8 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions | Friday, August 25 | 8 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ |
| New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans | Friday, August 25 | 8:15 p.m. | Patriots Preseason TV Network, WKRN-TV 2 |
| San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers | Friday, August 25 | 10 p.m. | KPIX-TV 5, KCBS-TV 2 |
| Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings | Saturday, August 26 | 1 p.m. | KPNX 12, KMSP-TV 9 |
| Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears | Saturday, August 26 | 1 p.m. | WIVB-TV 4, WFLD 32 |
| Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders | Saturday, August 26 | 1 p.m. | Bengals Preseason TV Network, WRC-TV 4 |
| Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs | Saturday, August 26 | 1 p.m. | WEWS-TV 5, KSHB-TV 41 |
| Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers | Saturday, August 26 | 1 p.m. | KING-TV 5, Packers TV Network |
| New York Jets at New York Giants | Saturday, August 26 | 6 p.m. | WNBC 4 |
| Baltimore Ravens at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Saturday, August 26 | 7 p.m. | WBAL-TV 11, WFLA-TV 8 |
| Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars | Saturday, August 26 | 7 p.m. | WFOR-TV 4, WJAX-TV 47 |
| Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys | Saturday, August 26 | 8 p.m. | KVVU-TV 5, KTVT 11 |
| Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos | Saturday, August 26 | 9 p.m. | KABC-TV 7, KTVD 20 |
| Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints | Sunday, August 27 | 8 p.m. | FOX |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the NFL preseason
The best TV plan for watching the NFL preseason depends on what teams you want to watch. Using the schedule above for reference, here’s a breakdown of our viewing recommendations based on game type.
- Local games: An over-the-air (OTA) antenna is the best way to watch in-market preseason games. Check out our free viewing options section for more information on how an antenna can pick up live games without a monthly subscription fee.
- Out-of-market games: Starting at just $4.99 a month, NFL+ offers the only way to watch every out-of-market preseason game. The streaming service usually has device restrictions for live games, but you can watch preseason matchups on any device with NFL app support.
- National games: An antenna can get you national broadcasts that air on CBS, FOX, and NBC. But you’ll need a TV subscription to access ESPN and NFL Network. If you’re sticking around for the NFL after the preseason, YouTube TV is our favorite service for watching local and national games. It’s also the new home of NFL Sunday Ticket.
How to watch the NFL preseason for free
*CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. Amazon.com Price; $47.99 (as of 5/3/23 11:30 a.m. CT). Read full disclaimer.
You can watch some NFL preseason games for free this season. All you need is an OTA antenna to pick up your local NFL team’s affiliate station and other regional channels that air national games.
Before you settle on an antenna, you’ll want to verify the channels available in your area. You can do this by entering your zip code into the Federal Communications Commission’s Reception Map Tool. The map will display channel callsigns in your area, which you can click on to view the channel’s tower distance.
How far away you are from those channel towers will dictate the type of antenna you want. Usually, we recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 ($47.99 on Amazon*) for its 60-mile range and slim design. But you may need a stronger antenna if you live in a rural area. We highlight several excellent antenna options in our Best OTA Antennas guide.
Final take
Watching NFL preseason games isn’t as straightforward as tuning in to the regular season. Most preseason matchups air locally on affiliate channels, but NFL Network nationally televises a handful of games. You can even catch a match on Amazon Prime Video, CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC.
If you support a local NFL team, the simplest way to watch their preseason games is by using an OTA antenna, which allows you to access in-market broadcasts for free. However, if your team plays in a nationally televised game, you may need a TV subscription—especially for ESPN and NFL Network games.
For fans of non-local teams, streaming out-of-market preseason games is possible through NFL+. The streaming service also offers national games limited to mobile viewing only.
How to watch the NFL preseason FAQ
Where can I stream NFL preseason games?
You can stream NFL preseason games through any live TV streaming service that offers your local NFL team’s affiliate network and NFL Network. NFL+ streams live out-of-market preseason games, while Amazon Prime Video carries one game per preseason.
Can I watch NFL preseason games on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes, one NFL preseason game streams on Amazon Prime Video each year. During the 2022 preseason, the streaming service reached over a million viewers with its 49ers–Texans broadcast.
What channel is Packers TV Network?
The Packers TV Network is a collection of TV channels throughout the U.S. affiliated with the Green Bay Packers. All channels within the network show local preseason games, Packers Family Night, and other exclusive team coverage. The Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers operate similar TV network partnerships.
Methodology
Our football experts compiled every NFL team’s preseason schedule and channel listings. With that information, we researched and tested the best ways to watch preseason games by comparing popular TV providers’ channel offerings and pricing. We chose our viewing recommendations based on service accessibility and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
Disclaimer
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Amazon.com price as of 5/3/23 11:30 a.m. CT. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
