You’ve been there. It’s nearly kickoff, the wings are cooling on the counter, and you’re frantically scrolling through a cluttered guide menu or clicking every "Live" button on a streaming app just trying to find the game. It shouldn't be this hard. But between regional blackouts, rotating network deals, and the rise of platform-exclusive games, figuring out what channel are the falcons on has become a weekly chore.
The Atlanta Falcons just wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season with an 8-9 record. If you are looking for a game today, January 17, 2026, here is the honest truth: the Falcons are not playing. Their season ended on January 4 with a narrow 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. While it was a nice way to close out the year, they missed the playoffs. Today’s television slots are reserved for the NFL Divisional Round, featuring the Bills at the Broncos and the 49ers at the Seahawks.
Where to Find the Falcons When They Play
When the Dirty Birds are actually in action, the broadcast situation basically depends on three things: who they’re playing, where the game is located, and what time the league decided to flex them.
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Most Sunday afternoon games live on FOX. Since the Falcons are in the NFC, FOX is their primary home. If they are playing an AFC team (like the upcoming 2026 matchups against the Baltimore Ravens or Cincinnati Bengals), the game often shifts over to CBS.
- Local Broadcasts: If you live in the Atlanta market, you can usually pull the game for free with a high-quality digital antenna. Channel 5 (WAGA-TV) is the FOX affiliate, and Channel 46 (WANF) is CBS.
- Primetime Slots: Monday Night Football is on ESPN (and sometimes ABC), while Sunday Night Football belongs to NBC.
- Thursday Night Football: These games are almost exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. You won't find them on cable unless you’re in the immediate Atlanta area, where a local station usually carries a simulcast.
What Channel Are the Falcons On for Out-of-Town Fans?
Living in the "Rise Up" diaspora is a bit more expensive. If you aren't in Georgia or the immediate surrounding blackout zone, you won't see the game on your local FOX or CBS affiliate unless it's the "game of the week."
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YouTube TV now holds the keys to the kingdom with NFL Sunday Ticket. This is the only legitimate way to see every single Falcons snap if you’re living in, say, Seattle or New York. It’s pricey, but it beats sitting in a noisy sports bar every Sunday.
Streaming and Mobile Options
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Services like FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream carry local affiliates. Basically, if the service has your local FOX station, you have the Falcons.
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For those who just want to watch on a phone or tablet, NFL+ is the league's specific solution. It allows you to stream local and primetime games live on mobile devices. Just know that you can’t "cast" these to your big-screen TV; the league blocks that to protect their bigger contracts with cable and satellite providers.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, fans are already looking at the 2026 schedule. The NFL has officially set the opponents, though the exact dates and times won't drop until May.
We know the Falcons will face their usual NFC South rivals—the Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers—both at home and on the road. They also have some heavy hitters coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. One of these games is confirmed to be an international game, likely heading to Munich, Germany. When that happens, expect a weird kickoff time (usually around 9:30 AM ET) and a broadcast likely tucked away on NFL Network.
Actionable Steps for the Next Kickoff
To make sure you never miss a play once the 2026 preseason starts in August:
- Check the 506 Sports Maps: Every Wednesday during the season, 506sports.com releases color-coded maps. These tell you exactly which game your local FOX/CBS station is airing.
- Verify Your Antenna: If you rely on over-the-air signals, do a channel scan a few days before the season starts. Signals shift and towers move.
- Audit Your Subs: If the Falcons are scheduled for a Thursday night, make sure your Amazon Prime is active. If it's a Monday night, check that your streaming package hasn't dropped ESPN.
- Download the Falcons App: The official team app often sends a "how to watch" notification about two hours before kickoff with the specific channel for your current GPS location.