The Niners finished third in the NFC West in 2025. That sounds bad, but it’s not. A 12-5 record in a four-team division that includes the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams is a true accomplishment. So get ready to watch the 49ers this season, because they aren’t showing many signs of slowing down.
San Francisco added some depth at key positions in the offseason, including veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. If the rest of the roster can stay relatively healthy, the 49ers could increase their win total from last year.
In this guide, I’ve compiled all the information you need to watch the 49ers in 2026-2027. Keep reading to find out what channels will air 49ers games, what TV and streaming plans you’ll need, and how to watch the team for free.
What channel shows San Francisco 49ers games?
49ers games will mostly air on regional CBS and FOX channels on Sundays. Outside of that, fans will want access to a couple of other local and national networks, as well as some streaming channels.
The 49ers have one of the three Week 17 exclusives on NBC and Peacock Premium this season. They also open the season with the first-ever NFL game in Australia, which will be streamed on Netflix. Another game to watch is the matchup in Mexico City against the Minnesota Vikings.
2026 San Francisco 49ers TV schedule
San Francisco’s 2026 schedule sends the team across the map more than any other NFL club, starting with a Week 1 matchup against the Rams in Australia and later facing the Vikings in Mexico City. Add in the usual NFC West stakes against the Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals, and the 49ers have a schedule built around travel, national windows, and division pressure.
Use the table below to track the complete 2026 49ers TV schedule. But remember to check back throughout the season as the NFL’s flex scheduling rules can alter select dates, kickoff times, and TV assignments.
NFL - San Francisco 49ers Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 13 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 20 | 10:00 p.m. | ||
Preseason | Thursday, Aug. 27 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
Week 1 | Thursday, Sept. 10 | 8:35 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 4:05 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Monday, Oct. 19 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 4:05 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 29 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Thursday, Dec. 17 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 27 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the San Francisco 49ers
Making sense of the NFL’s broadcast landscape can be a headache, as no single provider carries all the necessary networks and streaming platforms. To catch every 49ers game this year, you’ll need to combine a few different services.
As a primer, YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video are absolutely essential for any 49ers fan in 2026. You’ll also need access to Netflix for their historic Week 1 trip to Australia.
I broke down exactly why these are my top picks below.
Best Overall
This live TV service includes every national channel you’ll need to watch the 49ers, except for any standalone streamers. Plus, it allows you to easily add on NFL Sunday Ticket.
Exclusive Games
Prime Video is the home of Thursday Night Football exclusives, including the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Exclusive Games
You’ll need a Netflix subscription to kick off the season. The streaming giant holds the broadcast rights to the 49ers’ Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you don’t live in a region that shows 49ers games locally, NFL Sunday Ticket is the service you’ll need. It’ll also give you access to out-of-market games for most of the NFL.
Apart from the streaming exclusives, most major TV providers carry the must-have channels for watching 49ers football. You can compare popular cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services in the table below, but remember that local channel availability can vary by provider and market.
| 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.
Watch the San Francisco 49ers for free
For local fans, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is the best way to watch 49ers football without a monthly bill. As long as you have good signal strength, an antenna pulls in your local CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC affiliates. Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator can help you verify which channels are within range of your home, and our Best OTA Antennas guide outlines reliable options for your TV setup.
Bay Area fans may also get local broadcast access to select streaming-exclusive games. High-profile 49ers matchups on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video typically air on a local station in the participating teams’ home markets, meaning an antenna can still come in handy.
If you live outside the local market or just need a quick streaming fix, take advantage of free trials from live TV services like DIRECTV and YouTube TV. Just double-check the channel lineup in your zip code before signing up, and remember to cancel before the trial window closes.
Get tickets to see the 49ers!
Buy San Francisco 49ers tickets through our partner, StubHub — your source for the best deals on 49ers games and more.
How to watch the San Francisco 49ers FAQ
What channels show 49ers preseason games?
All three 49ers preseason games will air on KPIX-TV 5, the local CBS affiliate in the Bay Area. If you live outside the Bay Area, you can stream all three preseason matchups live on NFL+.
Can I stream 49ers games without cable?
Yes, you can stream select 49ers games on standalone services like FOX One, Peacock Premium, Prime Video, and Netflix. You can also use a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV or YouTube TV to catch games on traditional channels.
When do the 49ers play the Rams this season?
San Francisco opens the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, September 10. The 49ers will then host the Rams at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, December 13.
How can I listen to the 49ers on the radio?
Niners fans can tune in to KSFO 810 AM and KSAN 107.7 FM for game coverage on the radio.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, analyzed the 2026 San Francisco 49ers schedule and its specific channel designations. He then evaluated top TV and streaming providers based on their network lineups. Finally, Alex recommended services factoring in price, game count, and broader NFL coverage to help every 49ers fan watch within their budget.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
