Look, being a Cardinals fan is a specific kind of emotional roller coaster. We all know it. One week you’re high on a Kyler Murray scramble that defies physics, and the next, you’re staring at the TV wondering why the play-calling feels like a game of Madden played by a toddler. But before you can even get frustrated with the secondary, you have to actually find the game. If you've ever frantically scrolled through your guide at 1:02 PM on a Sunday, you know the struggle.
The quest to find what channel is the phoenix cardinals game on has become surprisingly complicated. It used to be simple: turn on Channel 10 (FOX) and grab a drink. Now? You’ve got streaming exclusives, flexible scheduling, and a web of broadcast rights that feels like it requires a law degree to navigate.
Honestly, the "Phoenix Cardinals" haven't officially existed since 1993—they're the Arizona Cardinals now—but whether you call them by their city or state, the struggle to find them on your screen remains the same.
The Core Broadcast Partners for Arizona
Most of the time, your search for the game ends at one of the "Big Four" networks. Since the Cardinals play in the NFC, FOX is their primary home. If they are playing an AFC team at State Farm Stadium, you might need to flip over to CBS.
Here is how the typical TV landscape breaks down for the Red Sea:
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- FOX: This is your bread and butter. The majority of Sunday afternoon games, especially those against NFC West rivals like the Rams or Seahawks, live here.
- CBS: You’ll find the Cards here a handful of times a year, usually for cross-conference matchups.
- NBC: Reserved for the glitz of Sunday Night Football. These are rare for a team in a "building" phase, but when they happen, it’s the only show in town.
- ESPN/ABC: The home of Monday Night Football. You usually get at least one of these a year unless the schedule-makers are feeling particularly cruel.
Streaming Is the New Normal
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck, but you do need to be prepared. Gone are the days when a pair of "rabbit ears" antenna was enough for every single game.
For the 2025-2026 season, Amazon Prime Video has held onto the exclusive rights for Thursday Night Football. If the Cardinals are playing on a Thursday, don't bother looking for a local channel unless you are physically within the Phoenix TV market. In that specific case, a local station (usually FOX or ABC) will simulcast the game, but for everyone else, it’s Prime or nothing.
YouTube TV has also taken over NFL Sunday Ticket. This is the holy grail for fans living outside of Arizona. If you’re a Cardinals fan living in, say, Chicago, this is basically the only way to ensure you see every snap without relying on a sketchy "stream" from a site that wants to install three different viruses on your laptop.
Why the Schedule Changes
You've probably noticed that a game originally scheduled for 1:00 PM suddenly shifts to 4:25 PM or even moves to Sunday night. This is "flexible scheduling." The NFL wants the best matchups in the windows with the most viewers. If the Cardinals are surprisingly good, they might get "flexed" into a bigger spot. If they're struggling, they might get bumped out of a primetime slot.
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It’s annoying, but it’s the reality of modern sports media. Always check the official Cardinals website or the NFL app about 12 days before kickoff to see if the time—and subsequently the channel—has shifted.
Local Radio: The Reliable Backup
Sometimes the TV just isn't an option. Maybe you're driving up to Sedona or stuck at a family event where the host refuses to turn on the game. In the Phoenix area, 98.7 FM Arizona Sports is the flagship. Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley (love him or hate him, the man has energy) provide a call that is often more entertaining than the actual broadcast.
If you're out of state, the NFL+ app offers live radio feeds for every team. It’s a paid subscription, but for the die-hard who needs to hear the crunch of the pads via audio, it’s worth the few bucks a month.
Common Misconceptions About Watching the Cards
One thing people get wrong constantly is thinking that a "local blackout" is still a thing. The NFL suspended the blackout rule years ago. If the game isn't on your TV, it’s not because the stadium didn't sell out; it’s because a different game was chosen for your market, or it’s on a different network entirely.
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Another point of confusion is the "in-market" streaming. If you have the NFL app, you can often watch local games for free on your phone or tablet, but you can't "cast" that to your TV. It's a mobile-only deal designed for people on the go.
Summary of Where to Look
Basically, if you're looking for the game right now:
- Check the FOX local affiliate first.
- Check CBS if they are playing an AFC team.
- Look at Amazon Prime if it’s a Thursday night.
- See if NBC or ESPN is carrying a primetime special.
- If you’re out of market, pull up YouTube TV for Sunday Ticket.
The best way to stay ahead of the curve is to sync the Cardinals schedule to your digital calendar. Most official team apps offer this feature, and it updates automatically when the league messes around with the kickoff times. No more guessing, no more frantic scrolling—just football.
To make sure you never miss a kickoff, download the official Arizona Cardinals mobile app and enable "Game Start" notifications. This will give you a direct alert about thirty minutes before the coin toss, usually including the specific channel for your current location. If you are using a streaming service like Fubo or Hulu + Live TV, search for "NFL" in their internal guide on Saturday night to "favorite" the game so it appears at the top of your home screen the next morning.