Look, we’ve all been there. It’s ten minutes before kickoff, you’ve got your jersey on, the chips are out, and you’re frantically scrolling through a sea of apps trying to figure out which one actually has the rights to the Dolphins today. It used to be simple. You turned on Channel 4 or Channel 7 and there was Dan Marino or Jason Taylor.
Things are... different now.
Between the NFL’s obsession with streaming exclusives and the ever-shifting broadcast maps, finding the miami dolphins game on what channel is basically a part-time job. Especially as we navigate the start of 2026, where the Dolphins are coming off a rocky 7–10 season and a massive front-office overhaul involving new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. If you're looking for the game right now, on January 16, 2026, there isn't one—the Fins missed the playoffs this year, and the team is currently hunting for a new head coach to replace Mike McDaniel.
But since you'll need to be ready for the draft and the 2026 preseason, let's break down the chaotic reality of watching Miami football.
The Traditional TV Maze (CBS, FOX, and NBC)
Most of the time, the Dolphins are still "home" on CBS. Because they are an AFC team, CBS (locally WFOR-TV in Miami) handles the bulk of their Sunday afternoon games. If they are playing an NFC team at Hard Rock Stadium, don't be shocked if you have to flip over to FOX.
Then there’s the primetime problem.
- Sunday Night Football: This is strictly an NBC affair.
- Monday Night Football: You’ll find this on ESPN, though sometimes they simulcast on ABC if it's a "big" matchup.
- Local Exception: If you live in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market, Federal law basically mandates that even if a game is on a "cable" or "streaming" channel like ESPN or Amazon, it must be broadcast on a free, over-the-air station. Usually, that’s Channel 10 or Channel 33.
The Streaming Shift: Amazon and Beyond
Honestly, this is where most fans get tripped up. Thursday Night Football is now a permanent resident on Amazon Prime Video. You cannot get this on traditional cable unless you’re in the local Miami market. In 2025, we saw the Fins drop games to the Bills and Ravens on Thursday nights, and it was a ghost town in the sports bars that hadn't updated their internet packages.
Then you have Peacock. NBC has been known to tuck one or two high-profile games (or playoff games) behind the Peacock paywall. If the Dolphins are playing a late-season Saturday game or a specific holiday special, always check the Peacock schedule first.
Out-of-Market Fans: The Sunday Ticket Headache
If you’re a Dolfan living in New York, Chicago, or literally anywhere that isn't South Florida, you're at the mercy of the "Broadcasting Map." You know the one—those colorful maps on 506 Sports that show which parts of the country get which game.
If the Dolphins aren't the "featured" game in your area, your only real legal option is NFL Sunday Ticket, which is now hosted exclusively on YouTube TV. It's expensive. Like, "maybe I should just go to the bar" expensive. But it’s the only way to guarantee you see every snap from Quinn Ewers or whoever is under center next season.
Common Misconceptions About Finding the Channel
People often think NFL+ is a workaround for the TV blackout. It isn't. Not exactly.
- Mobile Only: NFL+ lets you watch local and primetime games, but only on your phone or tablet. You can't cast it to your 75-inch OLED.
- Radio is underrated: If you can't find the TV channel, the local call on BIG 105.9 FM or WIOD 610 AM is usually way more entertaining anyway. Jimmy Cefalo and Joe Rose actually care about the team, unlike some of the national commentators who can't pronounce "Waddle" correctly.
- The International Factor: Don't forget that the NFL is sending Miami abroad more often. In 2025, they played in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. Those games usually kick off at 9:30 AM ET and air on NFL Network.
How to Prepare for the 2026 Season
Since the Dolphins' 2026 opponents are already locked in—including home games against the Chiefs and Bengals and a tough road trip to Green Bay—you can bet on a few things.
The Chiefs game will almost certainly be a "protected" game for a major network like CBS or a primetime slot on NBC. The "17th game" against the 49ers is another prime candidate for a national broadcast.
To stay ahead of the curve:
Check the official NFL schedule release in May.
Download the Dolphins app; they send push notifications an hour before kickoff telling you exactly which local channel is carrying the game.
If you’re a cord-cutter, look into FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV. They carry the local channels (CBS, FOX, NBC) and ESPN, which covers about 90% of the schedule.
Keep an eye on the head coach search this month. Whoever takes the reins will determine just how many primetime slots the Fins get in 2026. More hype equals more national TV games, which ironically makes the miami dolphins game on what channel question even harder to answer.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current NFL Playoff schedule for this weekend, even though the Dolphins aren't in it, to see which networks are currently holding the rights for the post-season. If you're planning for next year, audit your streaming services now—cancel the ones you didn't use this season so you can afford the inevitable price hike for Sunday Ticket in the fall.