ESPN NFL Schedule 2025-26: Today NFL Games on ESPN

The 2025 NFL season is packed with action, and ESPN is right in the middle of it. From the opening week to the playoffs, ESPN will air 25 must-watch NFL games across its platforms. That includes primetime matchups, Saturday showdowns, a Wild Card playoff game, and even a Divisional Round clash.

This year’s schedule features some of the league’s biggest names like the Super Bowl Champion Eagles, the AFC Champion Chiefs, the Cowboys, and the Lions. You’ll also see rising stars, top rookies, and classic rivalries play out live on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, and the ESPN app.

In this guide, we’ve listed every NFL game airing on ESPN during the 2025–26 season. Whether it’s Monday night or playoff weekend, here’s where to find today’s NFL games on ESPN.

What’s Included in the ESPN NFL Package

For the 2025–26 season, ESPN holds the rights to 25 NFL games, covering both the regular season and playoffs. That includes more than just Monday Night Football.

Here’s what’s part of the full ESPN NFL schedule:

• Monday Night Football games: Across 18 weeks
• Saturday doubleheader: Week 18 of regular season
• Wild Card game: Monday, January 12, 2026
• Divisional Round game: January 17 or 18, 2026
• ESPN+ exclusive game: One regular season matchup
• ABC simulcasts: Selected primetime games
• Spanish-language coverage: ESPN Deportes
• Streaming: All games on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer app

This lineup gives fans more ways than ever to catch the biggest games, no matter how they choose to watch.

Full ESPN NFL 2025-26 Schedule

Below is the complete list of NFL games airing on ESPN platforms during the 2025–26 season. This includes preseason, regular season, and playoff games, along with their dates, matchups, times and channels.

WEEK	DATE	MATCHUP	TIME (ET)	TV CHANNEL
Preseason	Mon, Aug 18	Bengals @ Commanders	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
1	Mon, Sep 8	Vikings @ Bears	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
2	Mon, Sep 15	Buccaneers @ Texans	7:00 PM	ESPN
	Mon, Sep 15	Chargers @ Raiders	10:00 PM	ABC
3	Mon, Sep 22	Lions @ Ravens	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
4	Mon, Sep 29	Jets @ Dolphins	7:15 PM	ESPN
	Mon, Sep 29	Bengals @ Broncos	8:15 PM	ABC
5	Mon, Oct 6	Chiefs @ Jaguars	8:15 PM	ESPN
6	Mon, Oct 13	Bills @ Falcons	7:15 PM	ESPN
	Mon, Oct 13	Bears @ Commanders	8:15 PM	ABC
7	Mon, Oct 20	Buccaneers @ Lions	7:00 PM	ESPN
	Mon, Oct 20	Texans @ Seahawks	10:00 PM	ESPN+ Exclusive
8	Mon, Oct 27	Commanders @ Chiefs	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
9	Mon, Nov 3	Cardinals @ Cowboys	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
10	Mon, Nov 10	Eagles @ Packers	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
11	Mon, Nov 17	Cowboys @ Raiders	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
12	Mon, Nov 24	Panthers @ 49ers	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
13	Mon, Dec 1	Giants @ Patriots	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
14	Mon, Dec 8	Eagles @ Chargers	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
15	Mon, Dec 15	Dolphins @ Steelers	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
16	Mon, Dec 22	49ers @ Colts	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
17	Mon, Dec 29	Rams @ Falcons	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
18	Sat, Jan 3	TBD	4:30 PM	ESPN
	Sat, Jan 3	TBD	8:00 PM	ABC
Wild Card	Mon, Jan 12	TBD	8:15 PM	ESPN / ABC
Divisional	Jan 17 or 18	TBD	TBD	ESPN / ABC

Also check: Today’s NFL Games on TV Schedule

Weekly Highlights & Storylines to Watch

• Week 1: Rookie QB J.J. McCarthy debuts for the Vikings. Bears open under new head coach Ben Johnson.
• Week 3: Lions vs Ravens in a clash of NFC and AFC contenders.
• Week 5: Chiefs visit the Jaguars in a high-powered showdown featuring Heisman winner Travis Hunter.
• Week 7: ESPN+ hosts an exclusive Monday night game—Texans vs Seahawks.
• Weeks 2, 4, 6, 7: ESPN runs multiple doubleheaders with early and late kickoffs.
• Week 10: Eagles vs Packers is a playoff rematch from last season.
• Week 11: Cowboys face the Raiders in a classic primetime rivalry.
• Week 17: Rams at Falcons marks Atlanta’s first MNF home game since 2015.
• Week 18: Saturday doubleheader could determine playoff spots.

Where to Watch: TV Channels & Streaming Info

Here’s how to catch ESPN’s NFL games this season:

• ESPN – Main channel airing most games.
• ABC – Simulcasts for many MNF games and the Week 18 finale.
• ESPN+ – Hosts one exclusive game (Texans @ Seahawks) and simulcasts others.
• ESPN App / Website – All games stream live on ESPN’s DTC platform.
• ESPN Deportes – Spanish-language broadcasts for most games.

Broadcast Team & Commentary Lineup

• Joe Buck and Troy Aikman return for Year 4 together on ESPN.
• Lisa Salters is back as sideline reporter for her 14th season.
• The ManningCast hosted by Peyton and Eli returns for 12 games, starting in Week 1.

Important Dates & Playoff Coverage on ESPN

• Week 18: ESPN and ABC will air a Saturday doubleheader on January 3, 2026.
• Wild Card Game: The Monday Night Wild Card matchup airs January 12, 2026.
• Divisional Round Game: ESPN will broadcast a game on January 17 or 18.

These games will also be available on ESPN’s streaming and Spanish-language platforms.

Want the full MNF slate? Check out our guide: Monday Night Football 2025-26 Full Schedule

FAQs – ESPN NFL Schedule 2025-26