Look, we've all been there. It’s 15 minutes before kickoff, the wings are hot, the drinks are cold, and you’re frantically scrolling through a guide of 500 channels trying to figure out what channel is the cardinals game on in arizona. It’s annoying. In the modern era of "is it on cable or is it on a random streaming app I don’t own?", catching a Cardinals game should be simpler.
If you're in the Phoenix metro area or anywhere across the Valley, the answer usually comes down to three or four specific letters. But depending on the week, that "usual" channel might vanish in favor of a national broadcast. Here is the ground truth on how to find the Red Sea on your screen without the headache.
The Local Heavy Hitters: FOX and CBS
Most Sundays, you're looking for KSAZ-TV (FOX 10). Since the Cardinals are in the NFC, FOX owns the primary broadcasting rights for their games. If they are playing another NFC team—like the Rams or the 49ers—you can almost bet your mortgage it's on Channel 10.
But wait. Sometimes things get weird. If the Cardinals are hosting an AFC team (think the Chiefs or the Bengals), the game might hop over to KPHO (CBS 5).
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Why the Channel Flip Happens
The NFL has these "cross-flexing" rules now. Basically, the league can move games between FOX and CBS to make sure a certain matchup reaches a wider audience or to balance out the schedule. Honestly, it’s mostly for ratings. If you check Channel 10 and see a different game, immediately flip over to Channel 5.
Primetime and the "Streaming Only" Problem
This is where fans usually get tripped up. If it's a Monday, Thursday, or Sunday night, the local channels often take a backseat.
- Thursday Night Football: These games are almost exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. If you don't have a Prime subscription, you might think you're out of luck. However, if you live within the Arizona market, the NFL requires these games to be broadcast on a local "over-the-air" station. Usually, that’s KUTP (FOX 10 Xtra/My21) or occasionally the main FOX 10 station.
- Monday Night Football: These live on ESPN or ABC (Channel 15). Lately, Disney has been simulcasting a lot of these on ABC to grab those extra viewers.
- Sunday Night Football: This is the easiest one. It’s always KPNX (NBC 12).
Watching Without Cable: The Antenna and Streaming Apps
If you’ve cut the cord, don’t panic. You don’t need a $100 cable bill to see Kyler Murray lead a two-minute drill.
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The Trusty Digital Antenna
Basically, a $20 digital antenna from any big-box store is your best friend. Because FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC are all broadcast over the air, you can pick them up for free in high definition. In fact, the picture quality from an antenna is often better than cable because it isn't compressed.
Streaming Services that Work
If an antenna isn't an option because you live in a canyon or behind a mountain, you've got the "Big Four" streamers:
- YouTube TV: Includes all the local Phoenix channels and ESPN.
- FuboTV: Very sports-heavy, great for catching the local broadcast.
- Hulu + Live TV: Similar to YouTube TV, comes with Disney+ usually.
- NFL+: This is the NFL's own app. It’s great for watching on your phone or tablet, but you cannot stream local games on your TV with the basic package. It's strictly for mobile devices.
What Channel Is the Cardinals Game On in Arizona This Week?
The schedule is a moving target. In 2026, we’ve seen more "flex" scheduling than ever before. This means the NFL can change a game time (and sometimes the channel) with as little as 12 days' notice.
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Radio Backup: 98.7 FM
Sometimes you're stuck in traffic on the I-10 or you're stuck at a kid's birthday party. In that case, Arizona Sports 98.7 FM is the flagship station. Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley are, frankly, legendary. Wolfley’s energy is enough to power the entire State Farm Stadium. If you're outside of Phoenix, the Cardinals Radio Network has affiliates in Tucson (KVOI 1030 AM) and Flagstaff (KVNA 600 AM).
Catching the Preseason and Spanish Broadcasts
Don't ignore the preseason. Those games often land on Arizona’s Family (Channel 3 or CBS 5). They have a specific partnership with the team for those early August matchups.
For Spanish speakers, KPAZ (Telemundo) or Fuego 106.7 FM handles the call. The "La Tacleada" crew brings a level of passion that is honestly infectious, even if you only understand half of what they're saying.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss Kickoff
To make sure you aren't the one asking "what channel is the cardinals game on in arizona" every Sunday at noon, do these three things:
- Download the Arizona Cardinals App: They send a push notification about two hours before the game telling you exactly which local channel and radio station is carrying the broadcast.
- Bookmark 506 Sports: This website (506sports.com) releases color-coded maps every Wednesday. It shows exactly which parts of the country are getting which games. If Arizona is in the "red" zone for the FOX map, you know exactly where to tune in.
- Check the "Xtra" Channels: In Phoenix, we have a lot of "sub-channels" (like 10.2 or 45.1). Sometimes, if there is a conflict with a Diamondbacks game or a specific local news event, the pre-game show might start on one of these secondary digital channels.
The simplest move? Just keep your TV tuned to FOX 10. Nine times out of ten, that’s where the Birdgang will be.