2026 NFL Preseason Schedule: Dates, TV Channels & Printable PDF
The 2026 NFL preseason schedule runs from Thursday, August 6 to Saturday, August 29. Below is every game with the date, kickoff time in ET and TV channel, plus a free printable PDF you can stick on the fridge.
Preseason football is where depth charts get settled. Coaches rotate rookies and roster bubble players, test new schemes and rest most starters, so these three weeks are the first live look at all 32 rosters.
- Opener: Cardinals vs. Panthers, Thursday, August 6, 8:00 PM ET on NBC (Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio)
- Weeks: Week 1 Aug 13 to 15, Week 2 Aug 20 to 23, Week 3 Aug 27 to 29
- Total games: 49. Every team plays three, Arizona and Carolina play four
- National TV: five games across NBC, ESPN, FOX, Prime Video and CBS
- Finale: Bears at Titans, Saturday, August 29, 6:00 PM ET
- Regular season kickoff: Wednesday, September 9, Patriots at Seahawks
Full 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule by Week
All times are ET and can change. Every game also airs on a local station in the participating teams’ markets, so the TV column shows the national or out of market outlet. For regular season fixtures, see our 2026 NFL schedule.
Hall of Fame Game: Thursday, Aug. 6
The Arizona Cardinals are the designated home team against the Carolina Panthers at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff is 8:00 PM ET on NBC, with streaming on Peacock and NFL+.
The Class of 2026, headlined by Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig, is enshrined two days later at noon ET on Saturday, August 8.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 6 | Cardinals vs. Panthers | 8:00 PM | NBC / Peacock |
Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 15
All 32 teams play and there is no national network game. NFL Network carries six and the ESPN App streams five more outside the local markets. The Thursday opener is a reunion: Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers host their former team, Green Bay.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 13 | Packers at Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Lions at Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Colts at Patriots | 7:30 PM | Local |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Chargers at Texans | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Cardinals at Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Titans at 49ers | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Broncos at Falcons | 7:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Buccaneers at Jets | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Dolphins at Commanders | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Panthers at Bills | 1:00 PM | Local |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Browns at Bears | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Vikings at Giants | 1:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Rams at Chiefs | 4:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Jaguars at Saints | 4:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Eagles at Ravens | 7:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Cowboys at Seahawks | 8:00 PM | NFL Network |
Week 2: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23
The first two national broadcasts land here. ESPN has Raiders at Texans, the national showcase for Fernando Mendoza, the first pick of the 2026 draft, and FOX has Seahawks at Titans. Starters usually log their heaviest snap counts of the preseason in Week 2.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 20 | Raiders at Texans | 8:00 PM | ESPN |
| Thu, Aug 20 | 49ers at Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Jets at Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Panthers at Jaguars | 7:30 PM | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Packers at Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Commanders at Lions | 12:00 PM | Local |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Bills at Browns | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Falcons at Colts | 1:00 PM | Local |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Ravens at Vikings | 1:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Saints at Rams | 4:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Giants at Dolphins | 4:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Bears at Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Eagles at Patriots | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Chiefs at Buccaneers | 7:30 PM | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Cowboys at Cardinals | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sun, Aug 23 | Seahawks at Titans | 8:00 PM | FOX |
Week 3: Thursday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Aug. 29
The final tune up before roster cuts, so expect mostly backups and bubble players. Prime Video has Patriots at Browns, CBS has Bengals at Eagles, and NFL Network leans on local rivalries such as Rams at Chargers and Commanders at Ravens.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 27 | Steelers at Bills | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Thu, Aug 27 | Patriots at Browns | 8:00 PM | Prime Video |
| Thu, Aug 27 | 49ers at Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Thu, Aug 27 | Rams at Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Commanders at Ravens | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Falcons at Dolphins | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Texans at Panthers | 7:00 PM | Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Giants at Jets | 7:30 PM | Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Buccaneers at Jaguars | 7:30 PM | Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Saints at Cowboys | 8:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Cardinals at Packers | 8:00 PM | Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Seahawks at Chiefs | 8:00 PM | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Bengals at Eagles | 8:00 PM | CBS |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Vikings at Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Lions at Colts | 1:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Bears at Titans | 6:00 PM | NFL Network |
Download the 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule (Printable PDF)
The one page PDF below lists all 49 games with dates, ET kickoff times and TV channels. It is free, print ready and needs no sign up. Print it in landscape, choose fit to page, and A4 or letter paper both work.
A printed copy makes it easy to mark scores, set reminders and plan watch parties around the games your local station is not carrying.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule on TV and Streaming
Only five preseason games go out to the whole country. Every other game airs on a local station in the two teams’ markets, with a cable or streaming feed for viewers outside those markets.
National TV games:
- Thu, Aug 6: Cardinals vs. Panthers, Hall of Fame Game (NBC and Peacock)
- Thu, Aug 20: Raiders at Texans (ESPN)
- Sun, Aug 23: Seahawks at Titans (FOX)
- Thu, Aug 27: Patriots at Browns (Prime Video)
- Fri, Aug 28: Bengals at Eagles (CBS)
Out of market coverage: NFL Network televises 19 games from August 13 to 29 and the ESPN App streams 12 more for fans on an ESPN Unlimited plan. Both are blacked out inside the participating teams’ markets, where a regional station carries the game instead. All 48 games are available afterwards as replays on NFL Network.
New for 2026: ESPN completed its purchase of NFL Media in February 2026, so NFL Network now sits inside the ESPN App and is included with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.
Streaming options:
- NFL+: live national and out of market preseason games on phone, tablet and connected devices.
- ESPN App (Unlimited): 12 out of market games plus NFL Network.
- Peacock: the Hall of Fame Game simulcast on August 6.
- Live TV services: YouTube TV, Fubo and Sling carry ESPN, FOX, CBS and NBC, subject to your local affiliate.
- NFL Game Pass via DAZN: live and on demand for fans outside the United States and Canada.
Free option: the NBC, FOX and CBS games are free over the air with an antenna if you are inside that station’s coverage area.
Key Dates Around the 2026 NFL Preseason
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 6 | Hall of Fame Game, Canton, 8:00 PM ET |
| Sat, Aug 8 | Hall of Fame Class of 2026 enshrinement, 12:00 PM ET |
| Aug 13 to 29 | Preseason Weeks 1, 2 and 3 |
| Sun, Aug 30 | Rosters cut from 90 to 53 by 6:00 PM ET |
| Mon, Aug 31 | Waiver claims at 1:00 PM ET, practice squads form |
| Wed, Sep 9 | Regular season kickoff: Patriots at Seahawks, 8:20 PM ET (NBC) |
FAQs About the 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule
When does the 2026 NFL preseason start and end?
It starts Thursday, August 6, 2026 with the Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio, 8:00 PM ET on NBC. Week 1 begins Thursday, August 13 and the preseason ends Saturday, August 29 with Bears at Titans at 6:00 PM ET.
How many games are in the 2026 NFL preseason?
49 in total: 16 games in each of the three weeks plus the Hall of Fame Game. Every team plays three, while Arizona and Carolina play four because they open in Canton.
What channel are the 2026 NFL preseason games on?
Five games air nationally: NBC on August 6, ESPN on August 20, FOX on August 23, Prime Video on August 27 and CBS on August 28. NFL Network carries 19 out of market games and the ESPN App streams 12 more on an Unlimited plan. Every other game airs on a local station in the two teams’ markets.
How can I stream the 2026 NFL preseason?
NFL+ carries live national and out of market preseason games, Peacock has the Hall of Fame Game, and the ESPN App streams 12 out of market games plus NFL Network for Unlimited subscribers after ESPN bought NFL Media in February 2026. YouTube TV, Fubo and Sling cover the network windows. Games shown on your local station are blacked out on NFL+. Outside the United States and Canada, use NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
Can I watch NFL preseason games for free?
Yes. The NBC, FOX and CBS games are free over the air with an antenna inside that station’s coverage area, and locally televised games are free on your team’s regional broadcast partner.
Is there overtime in NFL preseason games?
No. Owners removed overtime from the preseason in 2021 on player safety grounds and it has not come back. If the score is level when regulation ends, the game finishes as a tie.
Do preseason results count in the standings?
No. Preseason wins and losses have no effect on the regular season. The games exist to evaluate rookies, depth players and new schemes.
When is the 2026 NFL roster cutdown deadline?
Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET, when all 32 clubs must go from 90 players to 53. Waiver claims are due at 1:00 PM ET on Monday, August 31. Both are two days earlier than recent seasons because the regular season opens Wednesday, September 9.
That is the complete 2026 NFL preseason schedule, from the Hall of Fame Game on August 6 to Bears at Titans on August 29. Every date, kickoff time and channel above is checked against the NFL and ESPN schedule releases.
Save the printable PDF, mark the five national TV dates, and you are set for the three weeks that decide who makes the 53. We update this page whenever the league moves a kickoff time or adds a broadcast.
