The 2026 NFL preseason TV schedule is set, with 32 televised games running from August 13 to August 29. NFL Network carries 19 live out-of-market games and all 48 preseason games via replay, ESPN adds 12 out-of-market matchups on the ESPN App, and ESPN airs one national exclusive: the Las Vegas Raiders and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza at the Houston Texans on August 20. Below is the full 2026 NFL preseason TV schedule by week, with dates, kickoff times in ET, and where to watch every game, plus a free printable PDF.
2026 NFL Preseason TV Schedule: Quick Facts
Last updated: July 8, 2026
- Preseason dates: August 13-29, 2026
- Televised games: 32 live (19 on NFL Network, 12 on the ESPN App, 1 on ESPN)
- Preseason opener: Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, Thu, Aug 13, 7:00 PM ET (NFL Network)
- ESPN national exclusive: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans, Thu, Aug 20, 8:00 PM ET
- Replays: All 48 preseason games available via replay on NFL Network
2026 NFL Preseason TV Schedule by Week
All times are Eastern. NFL Network and ESPN games are shown together below so you can see the full televised slate for each day. ESPN App games are out-of-market broadcasts available to fans with an ESPN Unlimited plan.
Preseason Week 1 (August 13-15)
| Date | Time | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 13 | 7:00 PM ET | Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL Network |
| Thu, Aug 13 | 8:00 PM ET | Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders | ESPN App |
| Thu, Aug 13 | 9:00 PM ET | Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 14 | 7:00 PM ET | Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 14 | 7:00 PM ET | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 1:00 PM ET | Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 1:00 PM ET | Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 4:00 PM ET | Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 4:00 PM ET | Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 7:00 PM ET | Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 15 | 8:00 PM ET | Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | NFL Network |
Preseason Week 2 (August 20-22)
| Date | Time | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 20 | 8:00 PM ET | Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans | ESPN |
| Thu, Aug 20 | 10:00 PM ET | San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 21 | 7:00 PM ET | New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 21 | 7:30 PM ET | Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 21 | 9:00 PM ET | Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 1:00 PM ET | Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 1:00 PM ET | Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 4:00 PM ET | New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 4:00 PM ET | New York Giants at Miami Dolphins | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 7:00 PM ET | Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 7:30 PM ET | Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | 10:00 PM ET | Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals | NFL Network |
Preseason Week 3 (August 27-29)
| Date | Time | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 27 | 7:00 PM ET | Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills | NFL Network |
| Thu, Aug 27 | 8:00 PM ET | San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders | ESPN App |
| Thu, Aug 27 | 10:00 PM ET | Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 6:00 PM ET | Washington Commanders at Baltimore Ravens | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 8:00 PM ET | Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 8:00 PM ET | New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys | ESPN App |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 9:00 PM ET | Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 1:00 PM ET | Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 6:00 PM ET | Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans | NFL Network |
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Preseason
NFL Network is the home of the preseason, with 19 live out-of-market games and all 48 games available via replay. ESPN expands its slate to 12 out-of-market games on the ESPN App for fans with an Unlimited plan (subject to out-of-market restrictions), building on the five-game slate it introduced in 2025. ESPN also airs one national, exclusive matchup: the Raiders and Fernando Mendoza at the Texans on August 20. Full details were confirmed in the league and network 2026 preseason announcement.
Preseason Storylines and Marquee Matchups
- New faces in Pittsburgh: Week 1 opens with the Packers at the Steelers as new head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers face their former team (Aug 13, NFL Network).
- Fernando Mendoza on ESPN: The No. 1 overall pick and the Raiders headline the only national game, at the Texans on Aug 20 (ESPN), with more Mendoza appearances on the ESPN App.
- Coaching debuts: Robert Saleh faces his former 49ers in his Titans debut (Aug 13), while first-year coaches Todd Monken (Browns), Joe Brady (Bills), John Harbaugh (Giants), and Jesse Minter (Ravens) get their preseason looks.
- Homecoming: New Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown faces his former Eagles for the first time on Aug 22 (NFL Network).
- Champions on display: The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and defending AFC champion New England Patriots both feature in the televised slate.
2026 NFL Preseason TV Schedule: Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 NFL preseason start?
The 2026 NFL preseason opens Thursday, August 13, when the Green Bay Packers visit the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Network. The televised slate runs through Saturday, August 29.
What channel is the 2026 NFL preseason on?
NFL Network carries 19 live out-of-market games and makes all 48 preseason games available via replay. ESPN adds 12 out-of-market games on the ESPN App for fans with an Unlimited plan, and ESPN airs one national game: Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans on August 20.
Is there a nationally televised NFL preseason game in 2026?
Yes. ESPN airs one national, exclusive preseason matchup: the Las Vegas Raiders, with No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, at the Houston Texans on Thursday, August 20 at 8:00 PM ET.
How many NFL preseason games are televised in 2026?
There are 32 live televised games in 2026: 19 on NFL Network, 12 out-of-market games on the ESPN App, and one national game on ESPN. All 48 preseason games are also available via replay on NFL Network.
Where can I download a printable 2026 NFL preseason TV schedule?
A free printable 2026 NFL preseason TV schedule PDF is available at the top of this page, listing every televised game with dates, kickoff times in ET, and the network. For team-by-team preseason schedules, see our 2026 NFL preseason hub.
More 2026 NFL Schedules and Printables
- 2026 NFL Preseason Schedules: All 32 Teams (Printable PDFs)
- 2026 NFL Schedule Grid: Printable Master Schedule
- 2026 NFL Weekly Schedule Hub: Pickem Sheets, TV Guide, and PDF Grids
