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How To Watch the 2026 Washington Commanders Season

Can the Commanders bounce back from an injury-riddled season? Here's how to watch every Washington matchup on TV and streaming.

Supporting the Washington Commanders requires considerable resilience. From the highs of the first Joe Gibbs years to the frustration of multiple name changes and a constant carousel at quarterback, fans have weathered plenty of instability. Yet, if you want to watch the Washington Commanders this season, you may find a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the team.

It’s no surprise these days that NFL games are shown on both traditional TV networks and streaming platforms. Fortunately, I’ve mapped out the Commanders’ 2026 TV situation to keep things simple. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of this season’s channel listings, best cord-cutting packages, and free options so you’re fully prepared for game day.

What channel shows Washington Commanders games?

You can watch the Washington Commanders on FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and Amazon Prime Video this season. Traditional live TV providers carry most of these broadcast networks, but your viewing options will vary depending on where you live.

In-market fans can catch regional Sunday afternoon matchups through local FOX and CBS affiliates. Meanwhile, out-of-market viewers will need an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to access those same broadcasts.

2026 Washington Commanders TV schedule

Washington’s 2026 schedule gives fans an early read on the NFC East, with road games against the Eagles and Cowboys in the first two weeks. The Commanders also head to London for a Week 4 matchup against the Colts, then move into several national windows against the 49ers, Eagles, Giants, and Bengals.

Check out the table below to view the Commanders’ complete 2026 schedule, featuring game times and channel listings.

WeekOpponentDateTime (ET)Channels
Preseason
Friday, Aug. 14
7:00 p.m.
TBD
Preseason
Saturday, Aug. 22
12:00 p.m.
TBD
Preseason
Friday, Aug. 28
6:00 p.m.
Week 1
Sunday, Sept. 13
4:25 p.m.
Week 2
Sunday, Sept. 20
4:25 p.m.
Week 3
Sunday, Sept. 27
1:00 p.m.
Week 4
Sunday, Oct. 4
9:30 a.m.
Week 5
Sunday, Oct. 11
1:00 p.m.
Week 6
Monday, Oct. 19
8:15 p.m.
Week 7
Bye Week
Week 8
Sunday, Nov. 1
8:20 p.m.
Week 9
Sunday, Nov. 8
1:00 p.m.
Week 10
Thursday, Nov. 12
8:15 p.m.
Week 11
Monday, Nov. 23
8:15 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
1:00 p.m.
Week 15
Sunday, Dec. 20
1:00 p.m.
Week 16
TBD
TBD
TBD
Week 17
TBD
TBD
TBD
Week 18
TBD
TBD
TBD



Best TV plans for watching the Washington Commanders

Nearly every TV provider offers Commanders games, but the number of games you’ll get depends on the game week and your location. Because NFL broadcasts are scattered across local channels, premium networks, and streaming exclusives, finding a single home for every kickoff is virtually impossible.

The easiest way to build your TV package is to get a robust live TV streaming service that covers your local CBS and FOX affiliates, as well as national networks like NBC and ESPN. From there, you just need to add a standalone Amazon Prime Video subscription to make sure you don’t miss the Commanders’ Thursday Night Football appearance in Week 10.

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Best Overall

YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) is the best overall service for Commanders fans because it features every essential local and national channel, while also offering the option to add NFL Sunday Ticket to your plan.

The Amazon Prime Video logo on a blue background.

Exclusive Games

You’ll need a Prime Video subscription ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) to watch the Commanders and any other NFL team during Thursday Night Football.

The NFL Sunday Ticket logo on a dark gray background.

Out-of-Market Coverage

An NFL Sunday Ticket subscription is essential for out-of-market Commanders fans. It lets you stream all the regional Sunday afternoon matchups on CBS and FOX that aren’t airing locally.

Most major TV providers carry the core channels you’ll need to watch Washington Commanders games on TV, including CBS, FOX, ESPN, and NBC. I compiled the table below for you to compare popular cable, satellite, and live TV streaming services side-by-side.

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.

Find the best TV providers near you

Sometimes, you can bundle multiple viewing options into a single plan through a local provider. Enter your zip code below to see your area’s top-ranked TV services.

Watch the Washington Commanders for free

Commanders games that air on broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC are free to watch using an over-the-air antenna. Before setting up your gear, be sure to use Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator to verify which local stations are within range of your address.

If you want to catch a Commanders game on TV without paying, you can also try a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV and YouTube TV through a promotional free trial. Just keep in mind that local network availability varies by region, and you’ll need to cancel before the trial ends to avoid a monthly subscription fee.

Washington Commanders logo

Get tickets to see the Commanders!

Buy Washington Commanders tickets through our partner, StubHub — your source for the best deals on Commanders games and more.

How to watch the Washington Commanders FAQ

Can I stream Commanders games without cable?

Yes, you can stream Commanders games without traditional cable. In-market fans need a live TV streaming service carrying their local CBS and FOX affiliates, while out-of-market fans can use NFL Sunday Ticket. You'll also need Amazon Prime Video for streaming-exclusive matchups.

Who are the Commanders' TV announcers?

Chick Hernandez provides play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Brian Mitchell for the Commanders' local preseason TV broadcasts on WUSA9, with Bryan Colbert Jr. handling sideline duties. During the regular season, national network TV announcers rotate weekly depending on the broadcast.

Why are Commanders games blacked out in my area?

If a Commanders game is blacked out on NFL Sunday Ticket, you live within the team's home broadcast region. Blackout rules require in-market fans to watch those specific regional matchups live on their local CBS or FOX affiliate instead.

How many primetime games do the Commanders have?

The Washington Commanders have at least four standalone primetime appearances in 2026. This includes one Thursday Night Football appearance, one Sunday Night Football game, and two Monday Night Football matchups.

Why you should trust us

Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, mapped out the entire Washington Commanders schedule to confirm this season’s game times and channel listings. He then evaluated leading cable, satellite, and streaming services to see which platforms offer the most reliable game-day coverage. From there, Taylor finalized his provider recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and overall user experience.

Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.

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