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. Weeks 1 and 2 are complete, Week 3 has two games left, and every final score is in the tables below with the date, kickoff time in ET and TV channel. There is a free printable PDF too.
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 last live look at all 32 teams before cuts on August 30.
- Status: Two games left on Saturday, August 29, then rosters are cut on Sunday
- Today: Lions at Colts 1:00 PM ET, Bears at Titans 6:00 PM ET, both on NFL Network
- Opener: Hall of Fame Game, August 6 in Canton. Panthers 33, Cardinals 30
- Total games: 49. Every team plays three, Arizona and Carolina play four
- Ties: two this summer, because the preseason has no overtime
- 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 move for weather, as lightning showed when it held up Bills at Browns for about an hour. Every game also 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. Rookie quarterback Haynes King ran in a 5 yard touchdown on the final play, with no time left on the clock.
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 Results: Thursday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 15
All 32 teams played and no game was on national TV. Mike McCarthy won his Steelers debut 28 to 9 against Green Bay, his former team, though Aaron Rodgers watched in street clothes. Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza, the first pick of the draft, went 10 of 16 for 97 yards and a touchdown in a 27 to 14 loss to Arizona. Colts and Patriots finished 13 to 13, the first tie of the summer.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 13 | Packers at Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network | PIT 28, GB 9 |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Lions at Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local | CIN 16, DET 14 |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Colts at Patriots | 7:30 PM | Local | 13-13 tie |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Chargers at Texans | 8:00 PM | Local | LAC 27, HOU 7 |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Cardinals at Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN App | ARI 27, LV 14 |
| Thu, Aug 13 | Titans at 49ers | 9:00 PM | NFL Network | TEN 19, SF 13 |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Broncos at Falcons | 7:00 PM | ESPN App | DEN 27, ATL 7 |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Buccaneers at Jets | 7:00 PM | NFL Network | TB 24, NYJ 16 |
| Fri, Aug 14 | Dolphins at Commanders | 7:00 PM | Local | WAS 20, MIA 7 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Panthers at Bills | 1:00 PM | Local | BUF 29, CAR 14 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Browns at Bears | 1:00 PM | NFL Network | CHI 34, CLE 10 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Vikings at Giants | 1:00 PM | ESPN App | MIN 13, NYG 10 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Rams at Chiefs | 4:00 PM | NFL Network | LAR 20, KC 12 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Jaguars at Saints | 4:00 PM | ESPN App | JAX 24, NO 20 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Eagles at Ravens | 7:00 PM | ESPN App | BAL 24, PHI 7 |
| Sat, Aug 15 | Cowboys at Seahawks | 8:00 PM | NFL Network | DAL 17, SEA 7 |
Week 2 Results: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23
Aaron Rodgers sat again in Pittsburgh, with Mike McCarthy giving every snap to Will Howard and Drew Allar, and the Jets won 17 to 0. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a 69 yard field goal in Tampa, though Kansas City still lost 16 to 15. Tennessee then came from 13 points down to beat Seattle 19 to 16 in the FOX Sunday night finale.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 20 | Raiders at Texans | 8:00 PM | ESPN | LV 22, HOU 20 |
| Thu, Aug 20 | 49ers at Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network | SF 41, LAC 17 |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Jets at Steelers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network | NYJ 17, PIT 0 |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Panthers at Jaguars | 7:30 PM | ESPN App | CAR 34, JAX 17 |
| Fri, Aug 21 | Packers at Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network | GB 33, DEN 13 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Commanders at Lions | 12:00 PM | Local | DET 17, WAS 13 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Bills at Browns | 1:00 PM | NFL Network | BUF 31, CLE 7 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Falcons at Colts | 1:00 PM | Local | ATL 34, IND 6 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Ravens at Vikings | 1:00 PM | ESPN App | BAL 13, MIN 3 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Saints at Rams | 4:00 PM | ESPN App | LAR 34, NO 0 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Giants at Dolphins | 4:00 PM | NFL Network | NYG 26, MIA 3 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Bears at Bengals | 7:00 PM | Local | CIN 27, CHI 9 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Eagles at Patriots | 7:00 PM | NFL Network | NE 24, PHI 21 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Chiefs at Buccaneers | 7:30 PM | ESPN App | TB 16, KC 15 |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Cowboys at Cardinals | 10:00 PM | NFL Network | DAL 34, ARI 13 |
| Sun, Aug 23 | Seahawks at Titans | 8:00 PM | FOX | TEN 19, SEA 16 |
Week 3 Results: Thursday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Aug. 29
Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel went 12 of 15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns on Prime Video, reopening a job Cleveland thought was settled a day before cuts. Cincinnati finished the preseason unbeaten with a 30 to 13 win on CBS. Seattle and Kansas City tied 9 to 9 after Jason Myers missed a 52 yard field goal as time expired, the second tie of the summer. Two games close the preseason on Saturday.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 27 | Steelers at Bills | 7:00 PM | NFL Network | BUF 28, PIT 27 |
| Thu, Aug 27 | Patriots at Browns | 8:00 PM | Prime Video | CLE 37, NE 13 |
| Thu, Aug 27 | 49ers at Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN App | SF 18, LV 12 |
| Thu, Aug 27 | Rams at Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network | LAR 20, LAC 18 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Commanders at Ravens | 6:00 PM | NFL Network | BAL 41, WAS 3 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Falcons at Dolphins | 7:00 PM | Local | ATL 17, MIA 12 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Texans at Panthers | 7:00 PM | Local | CAR 16, HOU 13 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Giants at Jets | 7:30 PM | Local | NYG 23, NYJ 6 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Buccaneers at Jaguars | 7:30 PM | Local | JAX 19, TB 0 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Saints at Cowboys | 8:00 PM | ESPN App | NO 27, DAL 24 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Cardinals at Packers | 8:00 PM | Local | GB 42, ARI 38 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Seahawks at Chiefs | 8:00 PM | ESPN App | 9-9 tie |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Bengals at Eagles | 8:00 PM | CBS | CIN 30, PHI 13 |
| Fri, Aug 28 | Vikings at Broncos | 9:00 PM | NFL Network | DEN 34, MIN 6 |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Lions at Colts | 1:00 PM | NFL Network | TBD |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Bears at Titans | 6:00 PM | NFL Network | TBD |
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 reached the whole country, and all five have now aired. Everything else was a local broadcast in the two teams’ markets, with a cable or streaming feed for viewers outside those markets. Today’s two finales are on NFL Network.
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 televised 19 live games and the ESPN App streamed 12 more on an ESPN Unlimited plan. 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 on January 31, 2026, and NFL Network moved inside the ESPN App on July 30. It is now included with an ESPN Unlimited plan, 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 for fans outside the United States. In Canada it comes with a paid DAZN subscription rather than the free preseason offer.
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, plus PUP and injured reserve decisions |
| Mon, Aug 31 | Waiver claims at 1:00 PM ET, then practice squads form |
| Wed, Sep 9 | Season opener: Patriots at Seahawks, 8:20 PM ET (NBC) |
| Thu, Sep 10 | Rams vs. 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 8:35 PM ET |
The cut deadline moved up two days this year, so the Bears and Titans finish on Saturday night and have under 24 hours to settle a 53. Teams have been trimming since Monday and more than a thousand players will be released across the league this weekend. Practice squads can hold 16, or 17 when the extra man qualifies as an International Player.
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 ran August 13 to 15, Week 2 ran August 20 to 23, 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 aired 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 carried 19 out of market games and the ESPN App streamed 12 more on an ESPN Unlimited plan. Every other game aired 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 includes NFL Network, which joined the ESPN App on July 30, 2026, plus 12 out of market games. Peacock had 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, 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 rookie quarterback Haynes King ran in a 5 yard touchdown on the final play, with no time left on the clock.
Is there overtime in NFL preseason games?
No. Owners removed overtime from the preseason in 2021 on player safety grounds, so a level score at the end of regulation stays a tie. It happened twice in 2026: Colts and Patriots finished 13 to 13 on August 13, and Seahawks and Chiefs finished 9 to 9 on August 28. 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, after which clubs build practice squads of 16, or 17 if the extra player qualifies as an International Player. Both deadlines are two days earlier than recent seasons because the regular season opens Wednesday, September 9.
That is the 2026 NFL preseason schedule, from Canton on August 6 to Bears at Titans on August 29, with every result added as each game finished. Every date, kickoff time, channel and score is checked against the league and ESPN releases. Save the printable PDF, watch today’s two finales on NFL Network, then turn to roster cuts on Sunday and the season opener on September 9.
