2026 NFL Preseason Schedule: Dates, TV Channels & Printable PDF
The 2026 NFL preseason schedule runs from Thursday, August 6 to Saturday, August 29 and covers 49 games. Every fixture below has the date, kickoff time in ET and TV channel, plus a free printable PDF. Final scores are added to the tables as each game finishes.
These three weeks decide the back of the roster. Coaches rest most starters, rotate rookies and bubble players, and test new schemes, so this is the first live look at all 32 teams before cuts on August 30.
- Opener: Hall of Fame Game, August 6 in Canton. Panthers 33, Cardinals 30
- 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 only, on NBC, ESPN, FOX, Prime Video and CBS
- Finale: Bears at Titans, Saturday, August 29, 6:00 PM ET
- Roster cuts: 90 down to 53 by 6:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 30
Full 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule by Week
All times are ET and can change. Every game airs on a local station in the two 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
Carolina beat Arizona 33 to 30 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Quarterback Haynes King scrambled in from the 5 yard line with two seconds left to win it on the final play.
Two days later, the Class of 2026 was enshrined at the same stadium: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri and Roger Craig.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 6 | Cardinals vs. Panthers | 8:00 PM | NBC / Peacock | CAR 33, ARI 30 |
Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 15
All 32 teams play and no game is on national TV. NFL Network carries six and the ESPN App streams five more outside the local markets. Two storylines stand out: new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers host Green Bay, the team they spent 11 seasons with, and Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza, the first pick of the 2026 draft, makes his debut against Arizona.
| 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, Mendoza’s first game in front of a full country, and FOX closes the week with Seahawks at Titans on Sunday night. 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 last audition before cuts, so expect backups and roster 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 is the fastest way to mark scores and plan around the games your local station is not carrying.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule on TV and Streaming
Only five games reach the whole country. Everything else is a local broadcast in the two teams’ markets, with a cable or streaming feed for viewers outside those markets.
The five 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 live games and the ESPN App streams 12 more. Both are blacked out inside the participating teams’ markets, where a regional station carries the game instead. The rest re-air on NFL Network afterwards.
New for 2026: ESPN closed its purchase of NFL Media in February 2026 and NFL Network moved inside the ESPN App on July 30. It is now included with an ESPN Unlimited subscription at no extra cost, so there is one fewer channel to hunt for.
Where to stream:
- NFL+: live national and out of market preseason games on phone, tablet and connected devices, subject to local blackouts.
- ESPN App (Unlimited): 12 out of market games plus the full NFL Network feed.
- Peacock: the Hall of Fame Game simulcast.
- 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 outside the United States and Canada.
Free option: 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.
Key Dates After the Preseason
| DATE | EVENT |
|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 29 | Final preseason game: Bears at Titans, 6:00 PM ET |
| 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 | Season opener: Patriots at Seahawks, 8:20 PM ET (NBC) |
The cut deadline moved up two days this year, so teams go from their Week 3 finale to a finished 53 in barely 24 hours. Expect a heavy wave of transactions that Sunday evening.
FAQs About the 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule
When does the 2026 NFL preseason start and end?
It opened Thursday, August 6 with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, won by Carolina 33 to 30 over Arizona. 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 opened 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. ESPN Unlimited now includes NFL Network, which joined the ESPN App on July 30, 2026, plus 12 out of market games. Peacock has the Hall of Fame Game and 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.
Who won the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
Carolina beat Arizona 33 to 30 on August 6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Panthers quarterback Haynes King ran in a 5 yard touchdown with two seconds left to win it on the final play.
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. Preseason results also have no effect on the regular season standings.
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 full 2026 NFL preseason schedule, from Canton on August 6 to Bears at Titans on August 29. Every date, kickoff time and channel is checked against the league and ESPN releases. Save the printable PDF, mark the five national TV dates, and check back here for scores and any kickoff changes.
