You're stuck in traffic on I-35. Or maybe you’re out in the backyard grilling, and the thought of being tethered to a living room sofa feels like a prison sentence. We’ve all been there. Sometimes you just can't get in front of a TV, but you still need to know if the "Boys" are actually moving the chains or if it’s another afternoon of heart-stopping stress. To listen to the Dallas Cowboys football game is a tradition as old as the hole in the roof of the old Texas Stadium. It’s about Brad Sham’s voice, the crackle of the radio, and that specific brand of Texas tension that only Jerry Jones' team can provide.
It’s honestly easier than ever to tune in, but it’s also weirdly confusing because of all the different "blackout" rules and streaming rights. You’d think in 2026 we’d have a single button to press. Not quite. You have to know where to look based on whether you're in the DFW metroplex or trying to catch the vibe from a basement in Maine.
The Legend of Brad Sham and the Cowboys Radio Network
If you aren't listening to Brad Sham, are you even listening to the game? Sham is the "Voice of the Dallas Cowboys," and the man is a literal hall-of-famer. He’s been doing this since the 70s, with only a brief break in the 90s. When you hear his voice, you know exactly what’s happening without even seeing a replay. He pairs up with Babe Laufenberg, the former Cowboys QB, who provides the kind of blunt, "tell it like it is" analysis that most TV announcers are too scared to touch.
The flagship station is 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM). If you are anywhere near North Texas, just turn the dial there. It’s high-def, it’s loud, and it’s biased in all the right ways. But the "Cowboys Radio Network" is massive. It covers over 100 stations across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and even parts of Mexico. It is one of the largest radio footprints in professional sports. Honestly, you can drive from El Paso to Texarkana and never lose the signal if you keep hitting the scan button.
For the Spanish-speaking faithful, KMVK-FM 107.5 La Grande in Dallas is the place to be. Victor Villalba is a legend in his own right. The energy on the Spanish broadcast is often ten times higher than the English one, especially during a game-winning field goal.
Digital Streams: When You’re Outside the Signal
Now, what if you’re not in Texas? This is where people usually get frustrated. You try to go to the station's website on your phone, hit play, and get a message saying, "This content is not available in your area due to NFL broadcast restrictions." It’s annoying. I get it. The NFL guards their radio rights like the crown jewels.
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To listen to the Dallas Cowboys football game digitally, your best bet is usually the Dallas Cowboys Official App. Most of the time, they stream the local radio broadcast for free, but—and this is a big "but"—it usually only works if you have location services turned on and you are within the designated market.
If you're out of market, you have to go "official."
- NFL+: This is the league’s own subscription service. It’s replaced the old Game Pass. For a few bucks a month, you get live local and primetime games on mobile, but more importantly, you get the home, away, and national radio feeds for every single game. No blackouts for audio.
- SiriusXM: If you have a satellite radio subscription, the Cowboys are always on. Usually, they’ll have the Cowboys’ home feed on one channel and the opponent’s feed on another. It’s perfect for long road trips through "dead zones" where cell service drops out.
- TuneIn Radio: You can often find the game here, but you typically need the "Premium" version to get the live NFL play-by-play. The free version might just give you sports talk or "The Fan" pre-game show but cut the actual game audio.
Why Radio Beats TV Sometimes
I’ll say it: TV announcers can be generic. They have to play to a national audience who might not know the backup left guard's injury history. Radio is different. When you listen to the Dallas Cowboys football game, you’re getting a broadcast for fans, by people who live and breathe the team.
There is also the "sync" issue. Some fans love to mute the TV—especially when certain national announcers are on—and turn on the radio. The problem is that the digital TV signal is usually 10 to 30 seconds behind the terrestrial radio signal. You'll hear the crowd roar on the radio while the QB is still under center on your TV. If you want to pull this off, you need a radio delay app or a receiver that lets you pause the audio. It’s a lot of work, but for the hardcore fans, it’s worth it to avoid the national TV chatter.
The "Secret" Ways to Listen
Sometimes you're desperate. Maybe you're at work, or you're in a spot where none of the official apps are behaving.
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Check YouTube. No, not for video—that’ll get taken down in seconds by the NFL’s copyright bots. But there are often "watch parties" or streamers who do live play-by-play commentary. It’s not the official broadcast, but some of these creators are incredibly knowledgeable and provide a fun, community-driven way to follow the game. It feels like sitting in a sports bar with a hundred other people.
Also, don't overlook the simple Audacy app. Since 105.3 The Fan is an Audacy station, you can often stream the pre-game and post-game shows there. The post-game show is legendary. It’s where fans call in to either celebrate a Super Bowl run or demand that every coach be fired immediately. There is no middle ground. It is peak entertainment.
What to Expect for the 2026 Season Broadcasts
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a logistical beast. With more games moving to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Peacock, the radio remains the only "constant." Whether the game is on a Thursday night on a streaming app or a Sunday afternoon on FOX, the Cowboys Radio Network will be there.
The tech is getting better, too. We're seeing more "low-latency" streams in the official apps, trying to bridge that gap between the live action and your earbuds. If you're using 5G or the newer 6G test bands in certain cities, the delay is almost negligible now.
Troubleshooting Your Listen
If you're trying to listen to the Dallas Cowboys football game and you're getting static or an error message, check these three things immediately:
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- VPNs: If you’re using a VPN, the NFL+ or team app might block you because it can’t verify your location. Turn it off or set it to a Dallas-based server.
- Battery Saver Mode: Some phones will kill "background data" to save juice. If your audio keeps cutting out every time you lock your screen, this is usually the culprit.
- The "Web vs. App" Trick: If the website isn't working on your mobile browser, try the app. If the app is glitching, try the mobile website in "Desktop Mode." You'd be surprised how often that bypasses a bug.
Actionable Steps for Kickoff
Don't wait until the ball is on the tee to figure this out.
First, download the Dallas Cowboys Official App and the Audacy app right now. That covers your bases for local streaming and post-game rants. If you live outside of Texas, look into the NFL+ free trial or check if your SiriusXM package includes the "Sports" tier.
Second, if you're going old school with a physical radio, buy a portable AM/FM receiver with a long antenna. Digital signals are great until the cell towers get overloaded at a crowded event; a good old-fashioned radio wave doesn't care how many people are texting nearby.
Finally, bookmark a list of the Cowboys Radio Network affiliates. If you're traveling, knowing that 101.7 FM in Austin or 92.5 in San Antonio carries the game can save you from a silent, stressful drive. Get your setup ready, grab a drink, and get ready for Brad Sham to tell you exactly how it is.