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Where to watch NFL games
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
NFL games air across CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix in 2026. Fans need multiple services to watch every game, with NFL+ and antennas as budget options.
Background
The 2026 NFL season is approaching, and viewers are looking for the best ways to watch games. The broadcast landscape has fragmented, with games spread across traditional networks like CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Peacock. This has led to a surge in guides and articles explaining how to watch games without missing out, especially for cord-cutters.
How it unfolded
- Aug 27, 2026FOX Sports publishes the 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 schedule, detailing TV channels and streaming options for the games.
- Aug 28, 2026Preseason Week 3 games air, including Bengals-Eagles on CBS and multiple games on NFL+.
- Aug 30, 2026Engadget and Sling publish guides on the cheapest NFL streaming options and how to watch with Sling TV.
- Sep 1, 2026DIRECTV and Netflix release their own guides for watching the 2026 NFL season, including Netflix's full schedule.
Who’s saying what
- Cord-cutters
- Budget-conscious fans can combine an antenna with NFL+ and Amazon Prime Video to watch most games cheaply.
- Traditionalists
- DIRECTV and cable packages offer nearly every channel needed to watch NFL games in one place, simplifying the experience.