How to watch Browns vs Bears for free
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The Cleveland Browns open their 2026 preseason on the road against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Saturday, August 15th, with kickoff at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT. The game airs nationally on NFL Network, while fans in Cleveland and Chicago can watch free over the air on WEWS News 5 and FOX32. Outside the US, DAZN streams the game free through NFL Game Pass, no season-long subscription required.
The headline storyline is the Browns' quarterback battle. Head coach Todd Monken has not named a starter for the opener, with the team's first unofficial depth chart listing Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders as co-starters.
DAZN streams Browns vs Bears for free through NFL Game Pass, no season-long subscription required, in most countries outside the United States, Canada, and China. DAZN is geo-restricted, so if it's blocked or paywalled where you are, a VPN connected to a country with the free offer unlocks the stream. We recommend NordVPN for reliable server access and smooth HD streaming.
Where to watch Browns vs Bears
Below is a full overview of where to watch the game and when it starts in your time zone.
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Kickoff |
| United States | NFL Network / NFL+ | NFL Network via cable or live TV bundle; NFL+ $6.99/month | 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT |
| United Kingdom | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Free | 6:00 PM BST |
| Canada | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Paid subscription | 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT |
| Australia | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Free | 3:00 AM AEST, August 16th |
In the US, fans in the Cleveland and Chicago markets can also watch free over the air on WEWS News 5 and FOX32, respectively. DAZN's preseason free window does not apply in the US, Canada, or China.
How to use a VPN to watch the NFL preseason for free
DAZN streams Browns vs Bears free through NFL Game Pass in most countries outside the United States, Canada, and China. The free stream is geo-restricted to those eligible countries, but a VPN lets you watch from anywhere by connecting to a server where the offer applies.
- Choose a VPN with servers in a DAZN free-tier country. We recommend NordVPN for its fast servers and reliable unblocking
- Install the VPN app on your device
- Connect to a server in a confirmed free-tier country, such as the UK or Australia
- Open DAZN and create a free account
- Find Browns vs Bears under NFL Game Pass
- Start the live stream shortly before kickoff, and switch servers if it doesn't load
DAZN requires a free account to watch. If registration asks for a local address or postal code, use any valid postal code from a country where the free offer applies (for example, a London postcode for the UK) to complete sign-up.
DAZN runs on mobile apps, desktop browsers, and most smart TV and streaming stick platforms. If your smart TV doesn't support a VPN app directly, NordVPN's Smart DNS feature or a router-level setup covers it. For a full breakdown of options across every device, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
How to watch Browns vs Bears without cable in the US
Because this game has an NFL Network window, cord-cutters have a straightforward path: YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV all carry NFL Network in their base plans, and each includes a free trial for new subscribers. Verify the channel lineup for your market before signing up, since carriage can vary.
If you're outside both teams' home markets, NFL+ at $6.99/month is the simplest option, streaming every out-of-market preseason game live on mobile. NFL Sunday Ticket also added out-of-market preseason coverage for the 2026 season, a first for the package. For readers who still have cable or satellite, NFL Network is included in most standard packages from DirecTV, Dish, Xfinity, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios.
How to listen to Browns vs Bears on the radio
In Cleveland, the game airs on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) and ESPN 850 WKNR, the flagship stations of the Browns Radio Network, with Spanish-language coverage on 1300 AM La Mega. In Chicago, the broadcast is on ESPN Chicago, the Bears' radio home.
Nationally, SiriusXM carries both teams' feeds, and NFL+ includes live audio of every game as part of its $6.99/month subscription, a solid fallback for out-of-market fans who'd rather listen than stream.
What's different about preseason football
Don't expect a full game from the starters. The Browns have not named a starting quarterback for this game, listing Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders as co-starters on their unofficial depth chart, which suggests both will see meaningful snaps. The Bears have not publicly confirmed their starter plan for the opener.
The result itself doesn't count. Preseason games have no effect on the regular-season standings, so the scoreboard matters far less than the evaluations happening on the field. Every snap is an audition for players fighting to make the roster.
That process ends on Sunday, August 30th, 2026, when all 32 teams must cut their rosters to 53 players by 6:00 PM ET. The league moved the deadline up to the Sunday before Week 1 this season, so every preseason rep between now and then carries real weight for players on the bubble.
Browns vs Bears: roster battles and storylines to watch
The quarterback competition dominates this game. Cleveland's offense will split time between Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and rookie Dillon Gabriel, and how head coach Todd Monken divides those snaps will be the most watched decision of the Browns' preseason. Sanders in particular has drawn national attention, with DAZN's own Week 1 preview leading with the battle.
Chicago's camp has been built around joint practices, with the Dolphins and Bills visiting Halas Hall, but the Bears and Browns did not hold a joint session before this game. For the Bears, the opener is the first live look at how their 2026 roster reshuffle holds up against outside competition.
Frequently asked questions
When is Browns vs Bears?
The game is on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT, at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Can I watch Browns vs Bears for free?
Yes. In the US, the game is free over the air on WEWS News 5 in Cleveland and FOX32 in Chicago. Internationally, DAZN streams it free through NFL Game Pass in most countries outside the United States, Canada, and China, including the UK and Australia.
Do NFL starters play in preseason games?
It varies by team and by week, with no league-wide standard. For this game, the Browns have listed Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders as co-starters at quarterback, so both are expected to play. The Bears have not confirmed their starter plan for the opener.
Do preseason games count toward the standings?
No. Preseason results have no impact on the regular-season standings. The real stakes are roster spots, with teams required to cut down to 53 players by August 30th, 2026.
Which VPN server location should I use for DAZN?
Connect to a server in a confirmed free-tier country, such as the UK or Australia. A server in an excluded country, like the US or Canada, will not unlock the free stream.
Do I need cable to watch Browns vs Bears in the US?
No. NFL+ at $6.99/month streams the game out of market on mobile, and live TV bundles like YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV carry NFL Network with free trials for new subscribers.
Can I listen to Browns vs Bears on the radio?
Yes. The Browns' broadcast is on 92.3 The Fan and ESPN 850 WKNR, and the Bears' is on ESPN Chicago. Nationally, SiriusXM and NFL+ carry live audio of the game.
