You're sitting there with a cold drink, the snacks are laid out, and you’ve got that itch for some football. But there's a problem. You click through the guide and can't find the game. It’s a common frustration because figuring out what channel is the preseason game on is surprisingly more complicated than finding a playoff matchup.
While the regular season follows a fairly predictable pattern—CBS and FOX on Sunday afternoons, NBC for Sunday Night Football, and ESPN/ABC for Mondays—the preseason is the Wild West of broadcasting. Honestly, it’s a patchwork of local affiliates, national cable networks, and streaming services that change depending on where you live.
Why Finding the Game Is So Confusing
Most fans don't realize that the NFL doesn't sell the rights to most preseason games to national networks. Instead, individual teams strike their own deals with local stations. That means if you’re in Dallas, the Cowboys might be on a local CBS affiliate, but if you’re in New York, the Giants might be on a completely different local station like NBC or even a regional sports network like MSG.
It’s local.
Except when it isn't.
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The NFL usually schedules about 20 to 25 games per preseason for national broadcast. These are the "big" games that everyone can see regardless of their zip code. If the game you're looking for is one of these, you’ll usually find it on NFL Network, ESPN, NBC, or FOX.
National vs. Local: Where to Look First
When you’re asking what channel is the preseason game on, the first thing you need to check is if the game is being nationally televised. National games are the easiest to find because they appear on the same channel for everyone in the country.
- NFL Network: This is the heavyweight champion of preseason. They carry almost every game, but there's a catch. If you live in the home market of one of the teams playing, the game will likely be blacked out on NFL Network and shown on your local channel instead.
- ESPN and ABC: They typically handle a few Monday night specials or high-profile matchups.
- NBC (Peacock): You’ll often see the Hall of Fame game here, along with a few Sunday night showcases.
- FOX: They usually take a couple of weekend afternoon or evening slots.
- Prime Video: Amazon has started dipping its toes into the preseason waters, so don't be surprised if a "Thursday Night Football" preseason special pops up.
If the game isn't on one of those, you’re looking at a local broadcast. This is where it gets tricky. You’ll need to check your local listings for your city’s FOX, CBS, NBC, or ABC affiliate. Often, teams will even use their own "Preseason Television Network" which partners with various local stations across their region.
Streaming Is the New Frontier
If you’ve cut the cord, you’re probably wondering how to stream the action. The most direct way is NFL+. This is the league's own subscription service, and it’s basically a cheat code for the preseason.
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NFL+ allows you to watch every single out-of-market preseason game live on your phone, tablet, or connected TV. It’s sort of the holy grail for fans who live far away from their favorite team. If you’re a Bears fan living in Florida, this is how you see the games that aren't on national TV.
YouTube TV and FuboTV are also solid options because they carry the local channels and NFL Network. However, they are subject to the same blackout rules as traditional cable. If a game is blacked out on NFL Network in your area, you’ll have to find the local station on your streaming guide.
Common Misconceptions About Preseason TV
People often think that if a game is on "the NFL channel," they are guaranteed to see it. That's a myth. The blackout rules are strictly enforced to protect the local stations that paid the teams for the rights to those games.
Another weird quirk? The announcers.
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In the regular season, you get the national crews like Burkhardt and Brady or Nantz and Romo. In the preseason, you often get the team’s own broadcast crew. It’s a very different vibe—much more focused on the home team’s roster battles and undrafted free agents than the big-picture league narratives. It's actually kind of cool if you're a die-hard fan because you get deep-dive info on the 3rd-string linebacker you've never heard of.
Getting the Right Info Every Time
To avoid the "I can't find the game" panic five minutes before kickoff, do a quick check on the official team website on the morning of the game. They almost always have a "How to Watch" page that lists the specific local affiliates and the national status.
Also, remember that kickoff times are often listed in Eastern Time. If you're on the West Coast, that 7:00 PM game is actually a 4:00 PM start for you. It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many people miss the first quarter because of the time zone math.
Actionable Steps to Find Your Game:
- Check the National Schedule: See if the game is on ESPN, NBC, FOX, or NFL Network.
- Verify Local Affiliates: If it's not national, use a site like 506 Sports or the team’s official website to see which local station has the rights in your city.
- Audit Your Streaming Apps: Ensure your NFL+ or YouTube TV subscription is active and that your location services are turned on so you get the right local feed.
- Confirm the Time Zone: Double-check if that "7:00 PM" is ET, CT, or PT.
By taking these steps, you'll spend less time scrolling through the channel guide and more time actually watching the game. Preseason might be "meaningless" in the standings, but for a true fan, every snap matters.
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