How to Watch Chargers vs Patriots: AFC Wild Card Game Start Time, TV Channel, and Free Streaming

Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers will travel to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots in a high-stakes AFC Wild Card Round showdown. As the No. 2 seed, the Patriots host the No. 7 seed Chargers, with a trip to the Divisional Round on the line. However, recent history adds another layer of intrigue. The Chargers are coming off a dominant 40-7 victory against New England on December 28, setting the stage for either a revenge game for the Patriots or a continuation of momentum for the visiting underdogs.

New England enters the postseason as projected favorites, led by a strong offense under quarterback Drake Maye. The Chargers, however, have navigated a challenging season marked by significant offensive line injuries and quarterback Justin Herbert playing through his own ailments. Their ability to protect Herbert will be critical in this win-or-go-home contest. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, January 11, at 8:00 PM ET. Viewers can watch the national broadcast on NBC or stream the game live on Peacock.

Game information: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots

Date	Sunday, January 11, 2026
Time (ET and PT)	8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Venue (stadium, city)	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV (primary network)	NBC
Channel guide	Varies by local affiliate; check local listings for DirecTV, Dish, Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, and Verizon Fios.
Stream	Peacock, NFL+
Radio	Los Angeles Chargers: ALT 98.7 (KYSR-FM), KLAC 570 AM. New England Patriots: 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM).
Coverage	National broadcast.
Free	TVNZ+ (New Zealand)

How to watch Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots for free

Some NFL games air for free internationally through official broadcasters. For example, 7plus in Australia streams every Thursday Night Football and two Sunday Afternoon games weekly. In the UK, Channel 5 shows one Sunday Afternoon game and all Monday Night Football games, while TVNZ+ in New Zealand offers a rotating selection of Sunday games. This matchup will be available for free on TVNZ+.

Together, these broadcasters provide up to five free Sunday games weekly. Both TVNZ+ and 7plus will also stream all NFL 2025-2026 playoffs matches and the Super Bowl for free. These services are geo-restricted and only available to viewers within their respective countries. Fans traveling abroad can use a reliable VPN such as NordVPN to securely access their home-country stream.

Free NFL broadcasts this week

Game	Free platform	Date
Los Angeles Rams @ Carolina Panthers	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 10, 2026
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 10, 2026
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 11, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 11, 2026
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 11, 2026
Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers	TVNZ+ (NZ)	January 12, 2026

Watch Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots for free with NordVPN

Where to watch Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots

The AFC Wild Card Round matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New England Patriots will be broadcast nationally on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET. The game will air on NBC, with a Spanish-language simulcast available on Universo.

Pregame coverage begins at 7:00 PM ET with Football Night in America. As a national broadcast, the game will be available on local NBC affiliates in both the Chargers' and Patriots' home markets. While regional CBS and FOX broadcasts vary by location, this NBC playoff game will be available nationwide. You can check your local listings and coverage maps on services like 506Sports.

Home-market affiliates

For fans in the Los Angeles market, the game will be broadcast on KNBC (channel 4), the local NBC affiliate. The local kickoff time will be 5:00 PM PT. Viewers can tune in for the Football Night in America pregame show starting at 4:00 PM PT. The broadcast team will feature Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Cris Collinsworth as the analyst, and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

In the New England market, the game will air on NBC10 Boston (WBTS-CD). The local kickoff time is 8:00 PM ET, with the national pregame show starting at 7:00 PM ET. The NBC broadcast will be called by the lead Sunday Night Football crew of Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter).

Note: Viewers in the local markets have several ways to watch their NBC affiliate. The game can be viewed for free with an over-the-air antenna. It will also be available for streaming on Peacock. A subscription to Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) or Peacock Premium Plus ($16.99/month) is required to watch the live simulcast. Additionally, fans can use the TV Everywhere feature on the NBC Sports app by logging in with their cable or satellite TV provider credentials. This game is available both in-market and out-of-market through these national platforms.

How to listen to Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots on the radio

If you’d rather follow the game by ear, there are several radio options depending on which team’s coverage you want. From local flagship stations to official team apps and national audio services, here’s how to listen to Chargers vs Patriots live on the radio.

Los Angeles Chargers radio stations

The official flagship English-language radio home of the Los Angeles Chargers is ALT 98.7 FM (KYSR-FM). Select games may also be simulcast on Fox Sports Radio KLAC 570 AM. The broadcast team features Matt "Money" Smith (play-by-play), Daniel Jeremiah (analyst), and Shannon Farren (sideline reporter). For more information, you can visit the official team website. The game's Spanish-language broadcast is available on Que Buena 105.5/94.3 FM, with Adrian Garcia-Marquez and Francisco Pinto on the call.
You can listen to the local Chargers broadcast for free over the air on local radio stations. For online streaming, live audio is available on the Chargers' official website at chargers.com. The official Los Angeles Chargers app, available for iOS and Android, also provides free live game audio. However, due to NFL rules, these streams are geo-restricted and typically available only to fans within the team's designated market area on mobile devices.
Third-party platforms also carry the team's flagship station. You can stream ALT 98.7 FM on iHeartRadio and TuneIn using their free tiers. Note that live NFL game broadcasts are often blacked out on these platforms due to streaming rights, with regular programming playing instead. While iHeartRadio offers paid plans (iHeartRadio Plus for $4.99/month and All Access for $9.99/month), these subscriptions do not remove the NFL blackout restrictions.

New England Patriots radio stations

The flagship station for the New England Patriots is 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM) in Boston, which heads a network of approximately 33 affiliate stations across New England. The broadcast is called by Bob Socci (play-by-play) and Scott Zolak (analyst). The Patriots do not have a dedicated Spanish-language radio broadcast; Spanish audio for games may be available via national NFL broadcasts. For a full list of radio affiliates and broadcast information, check the Patriots' official website.
Fans can listen for free via the over-the-air radio signal from the flagship or affiliate stations. The team also offers a free live audio stream on its official website at Patriots.com/audio/live. The official New England Patriots app, available on iOS and Android, also streams the live radio call. These online options are subject to geo-restrictions; desktop streaming is available to users in the US, while mobile streaming is limited to fans within the Patriots' local market.
Listeners can also find the team's flagship station on various third-party platforms. 98.5 The Sports Hub is available on Audacy, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn through their free services. However, live game streams are subject to NFL geo-restrictions and are often replaced with other programming for out-of-market listeners on these platforms.

National and digital options

SiriusXM provides comprehensive NFL coverage, carrying the radio feeds for both the Chargers and Patriots, allowing subscribers to choose between the home and away calls. The service also features NFL Radio on Channel 88 for 24/7 league talk. Subscriptions that include NFL games start at $12.99/month for a streaming-only plan or $17.99/month for a plan that includes both in-car and app access. More information can be found on the official NFL page on SiriusXM.
NFL+ is a paid subscription service from the league that provides live audio of every NFL game, including home, away, and national calls, without local blackouts. This service is available nationwide for $6.99/month. The live audio can be accessed through the NFL app on phones, tablets, and other connected devices. You can subscribe or learn more at NFL.com/plus.

How to watch Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots without cable

Watching the NFL playoffs without a traditional cable subscription is easier than ever. Live TV streaming services offer a complete replacement, bundling the essential broadcast networks like NBC that you need for the game. These platforms provide a cable-like experience over the internet, accessible on smart TVs, streaming devices, and mobile phones.

YouTube TV – for $82.99/month, you get access to NBC in both the Los Angeles and Boston markets, ensuring you can watch the game. The service includes unlimited cloud DVR storage and the 4K Plus add-on for $9.99/month offers 4K playback and unlimited streams at home.
Hulu + Live TV – starting at $89.99/month, this service provides NBC in Los Angeles and Boston. This plan also includes the full on-demand libraries of Hulu, Disney+, and live sports coverage on ESPN+, making it a comprehensive entertainment bundle.
Sling TV – the most budget-friendly option, the Sling Blue plan includes NBC in select markets, including Los Angeles and Boston, for around $45.99/month. Sling Blue focuses on news and entertainment channels and allows for three simultaneous streams.
DIRECTV STREAM – the ENTERTAINMENT package starts at $89.99/month and includes local channels like NBC. Known for its extensive channel lineups, it’s a solid choice for those who want a robust, premium streaming experience similar to traditional satellite TV.
Fubo – due to an ongoing carriage dispute, Fubo does not currently carry any NBCUniversal channels, including NBC. You will not be able to watch this game using Fubo.

Stream on network-specific services

You can also watch the game directly through the broadcaster’s own streaming app. These services often provide a more direct and sometimes cheaper way to access specific games, though they come with narrower access and clear limitations compared to a full TV streaming package.

Peacock – as the official streaming service for NBC, all NFL games airing on the network are simulcast live on Peacock. You will need a Peacock Premium subscription, which starts at $10.99/month, to stream the Chargers vs Patriots Wild Card game.
NFL+ – the league's official streaming service allows you to watch live local and primetime postseason games. A key limitation is that live games on NFL+ are restricted to mobile phones and tablets only. Subscriptions start at $6.99/month.

How to watch Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots on cable or satellite

Watching the Chargers vs. Patriots game with a traditional cable or satellite subscription is a straightforward way to access the live broadcast on major networks. Your access to the game is determined by which network has the broadcast rights and if that network’s local affiliate is available in your TV market. The following providers offer plans that include these local channels, ensuring you can catch the game.

Xfinity – Xfinity offers several TV packages that include local broadcast networks. Plans like Popular TV (125+ channels) and Ultimate TV (185+ channels) provide comprehensive channel lineups. Pricing typically starts around $50.00-$70.00/month, often bundled with internet service. Packages include the X1 DVR box and access to the Xfinity Stream app. Be aware of potential broadcast fees and equipment rental costs. For more football coverage, the NFL Network is usually available in the More Sports & Entertainment Package add-on.
Spectrum – Spectrum provides plans like TV Select Signature (150+ channels) and TV Select Plus (160+ channels), which both carry local channels for the game. Spectrum is known for its no-contract policy, with plans starting around $100.00/month. Prices can vary based on location and promotional offers. To get more NFL content, you can add the Entertainment View package for channels like NFL Network or the Sports View package, which includes NFL RedZone.
DIRECTV – as a leading satellite provider, DIRECTV ensures nationwide availability. The CHOICE package (125+ channels) is the most popular option that includes local channels and regional sports networks, starting at $94.99/month. A two-year agreement is typically required, and customers should be aware of a potential Regional Sports Fee. The NFL Network is included in the CHOICE package and above, while NFL RedZone can be added via the DIRECTV Sports Pack.
DISH Network – DISH is another major satellite option with several packages that include local channels. The America's Top 120 Plus plan (190+ channels) is the entry-level package that includes NFL Network and starts at $99.99/month. DISH offers a two-year TV price guarantee, locking in your monthly rate. For the most dedicated fans, the Multi-Sport Pack can be added to get NFL RedZone and other sports channels for an additional $13.00/month.
Verizon Fios – for those in its fiber-optic service area, Verizon Fios offers excellent picture quality. Plans like Your Fios TV (125+ channels) and More Fios TV (325+ channels) include the necessary local networks to watch the game. Pricing starts at $79.00/month, though a router rental fee may apply if you don't subscribe to Fios internet. NFL Network is available, and NFL RedZone can be added with a Sports Pass for around $14.99/month.
Cox – Cox offers plans such as Contour TV Preferred (140+ channels) and Contour TV Ultimate (250+ channels), both of which provide local broadcast stations. Starting prices for plans with a robust channel lineup are around $125.00/month, though this varies significantly by region. For additional football coverage, the NFL Network and NFL RedZone are available in the Sports & Information Pack or Sports Pack 2 add-ons for around $10.00/month.