You're sitting there, jersey on, wings cooling on the counter, and you're frantically scrolling through the guide because you can't find the Silver and Black. We've all been there. It’s annoying. One week they’re on CBS, the next they’re tucked away on a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to. Honestly, keeping track of what channel is the Raiders game on feels like a second job sometimes.
If you’re looking for a game right now, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, here is the cold, hard truth: There isn't one. The Las Vegas Raiders officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 season on January 4th. They went out with a gritty 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium, which was a nice little parting gift for the fans, but their 3-14 record means they’re watching the playoffs from the couch just like us.
But look, the NFL never actually sleeps. Even if they aren't playing today, you need to know where to find them when the 2026 season kicks off, or where to catch the rivals they just knocked off.
Where to find the Raiders on your TV dial
The NFL's TV contracts are basically a giant jigsaw puzzle. For the Raiders, who play in the AFC, your "home base" is almost always CBS. Because they are an AFC team, CBS carries the vast majority of their Sunday afternoon matchups. If it's 1:05 PM or 1:25 PM PT on a Sunday, grab that remote and head to your local CBS affiliate.
It’s not always that simple, though.
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When the Raiders play an NFC team at home, or if the league decides to "cross-flex" a game to balance out the schedules, you might find them on FOX. This happened a few times this past season, like the Week 14 blowout against the Eagles. If you’re searching for the Raiders game and CBS is showing a documentary about gardening, flip over to FOX immediately.
Prime time and the streaming struggle
Then there’s the night stuff. Primetime is where things get messy.
- Monday Night Football: These games live on ESPN, but they often simulcast on ABC. If the Raiders are playing on Monday, check both.
- Thursday Night Football: This is strictly an Amazon Prime Video affair. You won't find this on traditional cable unless you live in the local Las Vegas market, where a local station usually strikes a deal to air it over-the-air.
- Sunday Night Football: The crown jewel. This is always on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
How to watch the Raiders if you don't have cable
Cutting the cord? Join the club. You don't actually need a massive Comcast bill to see what channel is the Raiders game anymore. In 2026, the streaming options are actually getting... okay, they aren't getting cheaper, but they are getting more plentiful.
YouTube TV is the big player here. They have the NFL Sunday Ticket, which is the only way to see the Raiders if you live in, say, Maine or Florida and they aren't the "national" game. It’s expensive, but it’s the gold standard.
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If you just want the local stuff, Paramount+ carries every game that airs on your local CBS station. Since the Raiders are on CBS a ton, this is a budget-friendly way to keep up. Just make sure you get the "Essential" plan or higher. Similarly, Peacock handles the NBC Sunday night games.
For the purely mobile fans, the NFL+ app lets you watch live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet. The catch? You can’t cast it to your TV. It’s a "watch while you’re at a wedding you didn't want to go to" kind of service.
The 2026 Raiders schedule: Who are they playing next?
Since the season just ended, we don't have the exact dates and times for the 2026 season yet—the NFL usually drops that bombshell in May. However, we already know who they are playing. The NFL's scheduling formula is predictable even if the wins aren't.
The Raiders are going to have a busy 2026. They finished fourth in the AFC West, which actually gives them a "softer" schedule on paper for next year. They’ll be facing the AFC East and the NFC West.
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Home Games at Allegiant Stadium:
- Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers (The usual suspects).
- Buffalo Bills (Expect a lot of blue in the stands for that one).
- Miami Dolphins.
- Los Angeles Rams.
- Seattle Seahawks.
- Tennessee Titans.
Away Games:
- Denver, KC, and LA Chargers.
- Arizona Cardinals.
- Cleveland Browns.
- New England Patriots.
- New Orleans Saints.
- New York Jets.
- San Francisco 49ers (The "Battle of the Bay" vibes move to Vegas).
What most fans get wrong about NFL blackouts
There’s a common myth that if a game doesn't sell out, it gets blacked out locally. That hasn't been a thing in the NFL for years. If the Raiders are playing, and it’s a scheduled local broadcast, you will see it.
The "blackout" people run into now is actually a territorial exclusivity issue. If the Raiders are playing at the same time as a "more attractive" matchup, CBS might choose to air the other game in your region. This is why fans in Reno or Northern California sometimes lose the Raiders feed to a 49ers or Giants game.
Actionable steps for the off-season
Since there isn't a game on today, you've got time to prep. Don't wait until September to figure out your setup.
- Audit your subs: If you only got Peacock for the NFL, cancel it now. Save the money until next season.
- Check your antenna: If you live in Vegas, a $20 digital antenna from a big-box store will get you CBS, FOX, ABC, and NBC for free. Forever. It’s the best-kept secret in sports.
- Download the Raiders App: They actually push notifications about what channel is the Raiders game about 48 hours before kickoff. It’s the fastest way to be sure.
- Mark your calendar for May: That's when the official 2026 schedule with channels and times will be released.
The Raiders are currently in "search mode" for a new head coach and looking toward the draft. While you won't find them on any channel this week, the moves they make right now on the NFL Network and ESPN's news cycles will determine if they're worth watching at all next year. Keep an eye on the local Vegas news stations like KLAS or KVVU for the latest practice updates and coaching rumors.