How to watch Patriots vs Broncos AFC Championship live and for free
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A trip to Super Bowl LX is on the line as the New England Patriots travel to face the Denver Broncos in a high-stakes AFC Championship showdown. Both teams enter the contest with identical 14-3 records, representing the conference's top two seeds. The game reignites a significant playoff rivalry at Empower Field at Mile High, where the Broncos have historically dominated. Denver holds an undefeated 4-0 all-time home playoff record against New England and is 6-1 in AFC Championship games played on its home turf, setting a formidable precedent for this title game.
The top-seeded Broncos must navigate this critical matchup under adverse circumstances, as starting quarterback Bo Nix is sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury. In his place, Jarrett Stidham will lead the offense against Drake Maye and the visiting Patriots. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, January 25, at 3:00 PM EST. The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS and will be available to stream live on Paramount+.
Game information: New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
| Category | Details |
| Date | Sunday, January 25, 2026 |
| Time | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT |
| Venue | Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO |
| TV | CBS |
| Channel Guide | DirecTV: Ch. 4 (WBZ/KCNC), Ch. 221 (CBS Sports) Dish: Ch. 4 (WBZ/KCNC), Ch. 158 (CBS Sports) Comcast/Xfinity: Varies by location Spectrum: Varies by location Verizon Fios: Varies by location |
| Stream | Paramount+, NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV |
| Radio | Patriots: 98.5 The Sports Hub |
| Coverage | National broadcast. Also airing on local affiliates WBZ-TV (Boston) and KCNC-TV (Denver). |
| Free | 7plus (Australia) or TVNZ (New Zealand) |
How to watch New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos for free
The AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos will be available to stream for free on select international platforms.
Fans in Australia can watch the game live on 7plus, while viewers in New Zealand can stream the AFC Championship for free on TVNZ+. Both platforms also carry the NFC Championship Game, making them the best free options for conference championship weekend.
Free NFL playoff games this week
| Game | Free platform | Date |
| New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos (AFC Championship) | TVNZ+ (New Zealand), 7plus (Australia) | January 25th, 2026 |
| Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (NFC Championship) | TVNZ+ (New Zealand), 7plus (Australia) | January 25th, 2026 |
Both TVNZ+ and 7plus will stream every remaining NFL playoff game and the Super Bowl during the 2025–2026 postseason. These services are geo-restricted and only accessible within their respective countries.
Fans traveling abroad can still access their home-country stream by using a VPN. At Cybernews, we recommend a reliable VPN such as NordVPN to stream playoff games while away from home securely.
Where to watch New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos
The AFC Championship Game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos will air nationally on CBS. Kickoff is set for January 25th, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
As a conference championship matchup, the game will be available on all local CBS affiliate stations nationwide, including WBZ-TV in Boston and KCNC-TV in Denver. Pregame coverage will air on CBS ahead of kickoff.
Viewers can also stream their local CBS broadcast through Paramount+ with the SHOWTIME plan, which includes live local CBS access. An over-the-air antenna offers a free way to watch the game, while cable and satellite subscribers can stream via the CBS Sports App using TV Everywhere credentials.
How to listen to New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos on a radio
If you want to follow the Patriots vs Broncos game on the radio, both teams offer free local broadcasts through their flagship stations. Below, you’ll find the main New England and Denver radio options, including announcers, online streaming availability, and any location restrictions you should know about before kickoff.
New England Patriots radio stations
- The official free over-the-air flagship home for the New England Patriots is 98.5 The Sports Hub (WBZ-FM). The broadcast team features Bob Socci providing play-by-play, Scott Zolak as the analyst, and sideline reports from Matt Chatham and Steve Burton. The station’s gameday coverage includes a three-hour pregame show, "Patriots Preview," and a three-hour postgame show. For Spanish-language listeners, the game broadcast is available on SiriusXM. An over-the-air Spanish radio affiliate is not confirmed, so check the team website for the latest information.
- You can listen to the local call online for free through the station’s Listen Live player or on third-party platforms such as iHeartRadio and TuneIn, though a freeaccount registration may be required. Note that live game streams are often subject to geo-restrictions and may only be available to listeners in the New England market area. Mobile streaming of the live game broadcast is also available within the market on the official New England Patriots app, which you can download for iOS and Android.
Denver Broncos Radio stations
- The primary free over-the-air flagship station for the Denver Broncos is KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM. The broadcast features Dave Logan as the play-by-play announcer, Rick Lewis as the color commentary analyst, and Susie Wargin reporting from the sideline. The Broncos' Spanish-language broadcast is available from Tico Sports on KBNO 97.7 FM and 1280 AM in Denver and can also be streamed from the Tico Sports website.
- Fans can stream the KOA broadcast online for free via iHeartRadio and TuneIn. However, streaming for the live game is geo-restricted and only available to listeners within a 100-mile radius of Denver. This same in-market restriction applies to listening via the official Denver Broncos app, available for iOS and Android.
National and digital options
- SiriusXM is a paid subscription service that carries the radio feeds for both the home and away teams for every NFL game, as well as the national broadcast. The service also includes the dedicated NFL Radio channel (Ch. 88) for league-wide news and analysis. 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 car and app access. You can find more details on the NFL on SiriusXM page.
- NFL+ is a paid subscription service from the league that provides live audio of every NFL game nationwide. Listeners can choose between the home, away, and national radio calls for any game. An NFL+ subscription costs $6.99/month. The service allows you to listen on phones, tablets, and computers through the NFL+ website or app.
How to watch New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos without cable
The AFC Championship showdown between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos will be broadcast live on CBS. If you've cut the cord, you can still catch the game live using a live TV streaming service. These services act as cable replacements, bundling major broadcast networks like CBS, so you won't miss the 3:00 PM ET kickoff on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Here are the best live TV streaming services for watching the game:
- YouTube TV – for $82.99/month, you get access to CBS in both the Boston and Denver markets, along with over 100 other channels. New users can often find a free trial and promotional pricing for the first few months. The service includes unlimited cloud DVR storage, with recordings kept for nine months.
- Hulu + Live TV – priced at $89.99/month, this plan includes the live TV service bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+. While CBS is available in most major markets, you should verify its inclusion in your specific ZIP code on the Hulu website.
- Fubo – the Pro plan costs between $73.99/month and $84.99/month and includes CBS in Boston and Denver. Fubo is known for its extensive sports coverage, but be aware of a potential Regional Sports Fee of up to $16.99/month depending on your location. The service offers unlimited cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams at home.
- DIRECTV STREAM – the Choice package, a popular option for sports fans, is approximately $114.98/month and includes CBS in both cities. This plan features over 125 channels, including many regional sports networks. All plans come with unlimited cloud DVR and a 5-day free trial for new customers.
Stream on networks’ direct-to-customer service
You can also watch the game through apps offered directly by the network or the league, though they often come with specific limitations. Since the game is on CBS, you can use Paramount+ for in-market streaming. The NFL’s official app is another option, but with significant device restrictions for live games.
- Paramount+ – to watch the live broadcast of your local CBS station, you must subscribe to the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan for $14.99/month. The less expensive Essential plan does not include the live CBS feed. Live TV streams on this service will still have commercial breaks.
- NFL+ – the league's official streaming service allows you to watch live local and primetime games, including this one on CBS. However, live games are restricted to mobile phones and tablets only; you cannot cast them to a TV. The base NFL+ plan is $6.99/month, while the NFL+ Premium plan, which adds NFL RedZone and game replays, costs $14.99/month.
How to watch Patriots vs Broncos on cable or satellite
Watching the AFC Championship game with a cable or satellite subscription is a reliable way to catch the live broadcast on CBS. As a major local network, CBS is included in the basic channel lineup of nearly every provider. Your access will be to your specific regional CBS affiliate, which will carry the national broadcast of the game. Below are the options from major providers.
- Xfinity – all Xfinity TV plans include local channels, ensuring access to the game on CBS. Packages like TV Core offer a basic lineup, while plans such as TV Plus (125+ channels) and TV Premium (185+ channels) provide more comprehensive sports coverage, including ESPNand NFL Network. Prices typically start around $55-$65/month when bundled with internet and often include an X1 4K TV box and voice remote. While channel lineups can vary slightly by region, CBS is a constant in both the Boston and Denver markets.
- Spectrum – Spectrum includes CBS in all of its TV packages, such as the entry-level TV Select Signature plan. This package offers over 150 channels, including other networks with NFL coverage like FOX, NBC, and ESPN, with promotional pricing starting around $115.00/month for the first year. For more dedicated football coverage, the Sports View add-on provides access to NFL Network and NFL RedZone. Your local CBS station is guaranteed regardless of your location.
- DIRECTV – as a satellite provider, DIRECTV offers nationwide coverage, and its packages all include local channels. You can watch the game on CBS with any plan, starting with the ENTERTAINMENT package, which features over 90 channels for around $89.99/month with a two-year price guarantee. Higher-tier plans like CHOICE and ULTIMATE add regional sports networks and channels like NFL Network. In both Boston and Denver, the local CBS affiliate is available on channel 4.
- DISH – DISH provides CBS and other local networks in all of its TV packages, starting with America’s Top 120, which offers 190 channels for about $89.99/month. This plan also includes ESPN and NFL Network. DISH is known for its Hopper 3 DVR, which is great for recording games, and offers a two-year price guarantee on its plans. Subscribers in the Boston and Denver areas will receive their respective local CBS affiliates to watch the game.
- Verizon Fios – for those in its fiber-optic service area, Verizon Fios TV includes CBS in all its packages. The Your Fios TV plan, starting around $105.00/month, provides over 125 channels and allows you to customize some of your lineup. For more sports, the More Fios TV plan includes channels like NFL Network. Fios is known for its excellent picture quality, ensuring a great viewing experience for the championship game on your local CBS station.
