How to watch Buccaneers vs Jets preseason: free live stream, NFL Network, VPN guide
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The NFL is back, sort of. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets open their 2026 preseason on Friday, August 14th, at 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT) at MetLife Stadium, and this one has more juice than a typical August exhibition. The teams just spent two days hitting each other in joint practices that turned genuinely chippy, with fights breaking out and at least one helmet getting thrown. Now they get to do it with the scoreboard on.
In the US, the game airs nationally on NFL Network, with local broadcasts on WFLA in Tampa Bay and WCBS in New York.
The best news for everyone else: DAZN streams the entire NFL preseason free through NFL Game Pass in the UK, Australia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and most of the rest of the world. No subscription, no payment details, just a free account. Here is every way to watch.
DAZN streams every 2026 NFL preseason game free outside the US, Canada, and China. Traveling or living in a blocked country? Connect to a NordVPN server in the UK or Australia, create a free DAZN account, and stream the full game at no cost.
Where to watch Buccaneers vs Jets
| Region | Broadcast | Streaming | Cost |
| US (national) | NFL Network | NFL+ (out of market), fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, Sling | From $6.99/month |
| Tampa Bay | WFLA (NBC) | Buccaneers.com / team app | Free (local) |
| New York | WCBS (CBS) | NFL+ (mobile, in market) | Free over the air |
| UK | – | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Free |
| Australia | – | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Free |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland | – | DAZN NFL Game Pass | Free |
| Canada | – | DAZN | CA$24.99/month |
How to watch Buccaneers vs Jets free on DAZN
Follow these steps to stream the game free on DAZN from anywhere:
- Get a VPN. We recommend NordVPN for its fast servers and reliable DAZN unblocking. It works on phones, laptops, smart TVs, and streaming sticks.
- 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. No payment details are required for the preseason window.
- Find Buccaneers vs Jets under NFL Game Pass.
- Start the live stream shortly before the 7:00 PM ET kickoff. If the stream does not load, switch to a different server in the same country.
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 has apps for iOS, Android, desktop browsers, and most smart TV and streaming stick platforms. If your TV does not support a native VPN app, NordVPN's Smart DNS feature or a router-level setup covers it. For more options, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
How to watch Buccaneers vs Jets without cable in the US
The game airs nationally on NFL Network, which is included in most standard cable and satellite packages. For cord-cutters, several live TV streaming bundles carry it:
- fuboTV includes NFL Network in its base plan and offers a free trial for new subscribers, which comfortably covers this game.
- DirecTV Stream carries NFL Network on its Choice tier and up, with a free trial available.
- Sling TV is the budget route, with NFL Network on Sling Blue.
If you live outside the Tampa Bay and New York markets, NFL+ at $6.99/month is the dedicated way to stream every out-of-market preseason game live, subject to device restrictions on mobile. New for 2026, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV also includes out-of-market preseason coverage, so existing subscribers are already set.
In the Tampa Bay market, the game airs free over the air on WFLA News Channel 8, and the Buccaneers stream all their preseason games locally on Buccaneers.com and the team app. New York viewers can watch free over the air on WCBS.
How to listen to Buccaneers vs Jets on the radio
Buccaneers fans can tune in on WDAE 95.3 FM / 620 AM, the team's flagship station in Tampa Bay, with the game also carried on 98ROCK. In New York, the Jets' radio home is Q104.3 FM. Both flagship streams are also available free on iHeartRadio.
Nationally, SiriusXM carries both teams' local feeds alongside its dedicated NFL Radio channel 88, and NFL+ includes live audio of every game with no local blackouts, handy if you are on the move during kickoff.
Will the starters play, and what is different about preseason football
The two teams are taking opposite approaches. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that everyone will play, with Geno Smith set to start at quarterback. Todd Bowles went the other way, announcing that Baker Mayfield will not play in the opener, leaving Tampa Bay's backup quarterbacks to run the offense.
That split is typical of preseason week 1. There is no league-wide standard for starter usage, and results do not count toward the standings. The real stakes are roster spots: every team must cut down to 53 players by 6:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 30th, a deadline the NFL moved up from its traditional Tuesday slot this year. Every snap in games like this one is an audition.
Roster battles and storylines to watch
The headline is the quarterback contrast. With Mayfield sitting, the Jets' pass rush gets a live look at Tampa Bay's depth chart, and joint practices this week suggested that could be rough: Jets edge rusher David Bailey dominated stretches of the two sessions. On the other sideline, Geno Smith and Justin Fields both took first-team reps for New York this week, and Fields led a standout scoring drive in the final camp session. How Glenn splits their snaps on Friday is the clearest signal yet of where that battle stands.
Then there is the broadcast itself. Jon Gruden returns to the booth as part of WFLA's preseason crew for Tampa Bay, which gives even the local telecast a storyline of its own. And after two days of joint practices that produced multiple fights and a thrown helmet, do not be surprised if the intensity carries over into a game that officially counts for nothing.
FAQ
Is Buccaneers vs Jets free to watch?
Yes, in most of the world. DAZN streams the game free through NFL Game Pass outside the US, Canada, and China. In the US, it is free over the air on WFLA in Tampa Bay and WCBS in New York.
Is DAZN's NFL Game Pass really free for preseason?
Yes. DAZN streams the entire 2026 NFL preseason free with a registered account, no payment details required. Once the regular season starts, Game Pass reverts to a paid subscription.
Do NFL starters play in preseason games?
It varies by team and by week. For this game, the Jets plan to play everyone, including starting quarterback Geno Smith, while the Buccaneers are sitting Baker Mayfield.
Do preseason games count toward the standings?
No. Preseason results have no impact on the regular season. The games matter for roster evaluation ahead of the August 30th cutdown to 53 players.
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 Buccaneers vs Jets in the US?
No. fuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling all carry NFL Network with free trials, and NFL+ at $6.99/month streams out-of-market preseason games.
Can I listen to Buccaneers vs Jets on the radio?
Yes. WDAE 95.3 FM carries the Buccaneers broadcast, Q104.3 FM has the Jets call, and SiriusXM and NFL+ offer national audio coverage.
