How to watch the NFL preseason for free
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The 2026 NFL preseason runs from the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 6th through the final week of games on Saturday, August 29th, per the official NFL preseason schedule. In the US, coverage is split across NBC, ESPN, FOX, CBS, Prime Video, NFL Network, and each team's local broadcast affiliate, with no single channel carrying every game, as confirmed by Fox Sports' 2026 preseason TV schedule. Outside the US, Canada, and China, DAZN streams the entire preseason free through NFL Game Pass, according to DAZN's official announcement. A VPN lets fans in blocked countries, or Americans without cable, tap into that free international coverage.
DAZN streams all 2026 NFL preseason games 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 the 2026 NFL preseason
| Country | Streaming service / channel | Price | Notes |
| United States | Local team affiliate | Free with an antenna or TV provider | Most games air only on the home team's local station |
| United States | NFL Network | Included with most cable/satellite packages | Carries the largest national slate of preseason games |
| United States | Peacock | Peacock Premium from $10.99/month | Streams the Hall of Fame Game |
| United States | NFL+ | From $6.99/month | National and out-of-market games, subject to blackouts, mainly on phones and tablets |
| United Kingdom | DAZN | Free with a DAZN account | Full preseason free through NFL Game Pass |
| Canada | DAZN | Standard DAZN subscription, from roughly CA$24.99/month | NFL is bundled into DAZN's regular plan, not offered free |
| Australia | DAZN | Free with a DAZN account | Full preseason free through NFL Game Pass |
Most preseason games are not on a national network at all. They air only on the home team's local broadcast affiliate, which is why out-of-market fans in the US often rely on NFL+ or a VPN pointed at DAZN's free international feed instead.
UK fans: don't confuse this with Sky Sports' NFL coverage, which carries the regular season, London and European games, and the playoffs. DAZN's free NFL Game Pass is the only preseason option in the UK.
Canada fans: TSN and CTV are Canada's exclusive year-round NFL broadcast partner, but that arrangement is built around the regular season. Preseason games are not confirmed on TSN or CTV, so a standard DAZN subscription remains the main way to watch preseason football in Canada. DAZN had not published an updated 2026/27 Canadian rate card as of early August.
Australia fans: select games may also appear on Kayo Sports or Foxtel alongside DAZN's free coverage. DAZN's free tier is the simplest route if you just want every game at no cost.
Full 2026 NFL preseason schedule and where to watch (US)
Every 2026 preseason game and its US TV or streaming home, all times ET, based on Fox Sports' full preseason TV schedule and confirmed against the official NFL schedule by week. "Local TV" means the game only airs on the home team's regional broadcast affiliate, so check an antenna or your cable provider's local channel lineup for that market. Games on ESPN, FOX, CBS, and Prime Video also stream on their respective apps.
Hall of Fame Game: Thursday, Aug 6 (final: Panthers 33, Cardinals 30)
| Matchup | Time | US TV / streaming |
| Panthers @ Cardinals | 8:00 PM | NBC, Peacock |
Preseason Week 1: Aug 13-15
| Matchup | Time | US TV / streaming |
| Lions @ Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Colts @ Patriots | 7:30 PM | Local TV |
| Packers @ Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Chargers @ Texans | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Broncos @ Falcons | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Dolphins @ Commanders | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Buccaneers @ Jets | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Panthers @ Bills | 1:00 PM | Local TV |
| Browns @ Bears | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Vikings @ Giants | 1:00 PM | Local TV |
| Cardinals @ Raiders | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Titans @ 49ers | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Rams @ Chiefs | 4:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Jaguars @ Saints | 4:00 PM | Local TV |
| Eagles @ Ravens | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Cowboys @ Seahawks | 8:00 PM | NFL Network |
Preseason Week 2: Aug 20-23
| Matchup | Time | US TV / streaming |
| Raiders @ Texans | 8:00 PM | ESPN |
| 49ers @ Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Jets @ Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Panthers @ Jaguars | 7:30 PM | Local TV |
| Packers @ Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Commanders @ Lions | 12:00 PM | Local TV |
| Bills @ Browns | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Falcons @ Colts | 1:00 PM | Local TV |
| Ravens @ Vikings | 1:00 PM | Local TV |
| Saints @ Rams | 4:00 PM | Local TV |
| Giants @ Dolphins | 4:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Bears @ Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Eagles @ Patriots | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Chiefs @ Buccaneers | 7:30 PM | Local TV |
| Cowboys @ Cardinals | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Seahawks @ Titans | 8:00 PM | FOX, FOX One |
Preseason Week 3: Aug 27-29
| Matchup | Time | US TV / streaming |
| Patriots @ Browns | 8:00 PM | Prime Video |
| Steelers @ Bills | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| 49ers @ Raiders | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Rams @ Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Bengals @ Eagles | 8:00 PM | CBS |
| Commanders @ Ravens | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Texans @ Panthers | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Falcons @ Dolphins | 7:00 PM | Local TV |
| Buccaneers @ Jaguars | 7:30 PM | Local TV |
| Giants @ Jets | 7:30 PM | Local TV |
| Saints @ Cowboys | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Seahawks @ Chiefs | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Cardinals @ Packers | 8:00 PM | Local TV |
| Vikings @ Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Lions @ Colts | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Bears @ Titans | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
NFL Network carries the largest share of games beyond the national broadcast windows, typically several per week across Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, and is included with most cable and satellite packages.
How to watch NFL preseason in the US without cable
Cord-cutters can still catch most preseason games through a live TV streaming service. YouTube TV carries local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates (availability varies by market) plus NFL Network on its Base Plan, from $82.99/month, or on its cheaper Sports Plan aimed at sports-only viewers. Fubo offers a similar mix starting from $79.99/month, with RedZone available as a $10.99/month add-on. Both cover the same local and NFL Network games as a cable subscriber, without a contract.
NFL+, at $6.99/month, is cheaper but blacks out in-market local games the same way cable would outside the home team's TV territory. If a specific "Local TV" game in the schedule above isn't in your market, NFL+ won't unblock it. A VPN pointed at DAZN's free international feed is the practical workaround in that case, covered next.
How to watch the NFL preseason free on DAZN with a VPN
DAZN streams every 2026 preseason game free through NFL Game Pass, but the free offer checks your location and excludes the US, Canada, and China, per DAZN's own announcement. A VPN connected to a country where the offer is free, such as the UK or Australia, solves the geo-block so you can watch for free.
- Choose a VPN with servers in a DAZN free-tier country. We recommend NordVPN for unblocking DAZN. It runs servers across 212 locations, including the UK and Australia, delivers 86% speed retention on the NordLynx protocol in our testing, and supports Smart DNS for smart TVs without a native VPN app. Full details are in our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
- Install the VPN app on your device. NordVPN is available on Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV.
- Connect to a server in the UK or Australia. Open the app, select one of those countries, and connect. Your connection now appears to come from there, which unlocks DAZN's free preseason coverage even if you're in the US, Canada, or China.
- Open DAZN and create a free account. Go to DAZN and sign in, or register a free account if you don't already have one.
- Find your game under NFL Game Pass. Preseason games are listed under the free coverage, not the paid season pass.
- Start the live stream shortly before kickoff. If the stream doesn't load, switch to a different server in the same country and refresh.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 NFL preseason end?
The preseason runs from the Hall of Fame Game on August 6th through the final week of games on August 29th, 2026. Most teams play three preseason games; the Panthers and Cardinals play four because of their Hall of Fame Game assignment.
Can I watch the NFL preseason for free in the US?
Yes, partially. An over-the-air antenna picks up any preseason game airing on FOX, NBC, or CBS in your local market at no cost. Most other games only air on the home team's local affiliate or NFL Network, which requires a cable or satellite package.
Is the NFL preseason free on DAZN in every country?
No. DAZN's free NFL Game Pass offer covers most countries but excludes the US, Canada, and China. Canadian fans need a standard DAZN subscription, since the NFL is bundled in rather than offered free.
Which VPN server location should I use for DAZN?
Connect to a server in a country where DAZN's preseason coverage is free, such as the United Kingdom or Australia. A US or Canadian server will not unlock the free stream, since both markets are excluded from that offering.
Do I need cable to watch NFL+ preseason games?
No, NFL+ is a standalone streaming subscription, but its live preseason coverage is subject to local blackout rules and works mainly on phones and tablets rather than a full desktop or smart TV app.
Can I watch NFL preseason on Sky Sports in the UK?
No. Sky Sports and NOW carry the NFL regular season, London and European games, and the playoffs, but the 2026 preseason is exclusive to DAZN's free NFL Game Pass in the UK.
What's the cheapest way to watch every preseason game without cable in the US?
NFL+ at $6.99/month is the cheapest option, but it blacks out in-market local games. YouTube TV and Fubo cost more but include local affiliates and NFL Network with no blackouts on games those channels air, which covers most of the schedule.
