Trying to figure out what time the cowboys come on is a weekend ritual for millions of people, but honestly, it’s rarely as simple as checking a single static calendar. If you’re a fan of "America’s Team," you already know the NFL treats the Dallas Cowboys like their prized peacock. They get the most eyeballs, the most prime-time slots, and the most confusing scheduling flexes in the entire league. Whether you’re looking for the kickoff in Arlington or trying to stream the game from a bar in London, the timing is a moving target influenced by broadcasting rights, time zones, and the whims of network executives at FOX, CBS, and NBC.
The Dallas Cowboys don't just play football; they anchor television windows. Because Jerry Jones has built a brand that people either love or love to hate, the league puts them in the "Late Afternoon" window more than almost any other team. That means a lot of 4:25 PM ET starts. But it’s not a guarantee.
The Standard NFL Windows and the Cowboys’ Routine
Most NFL games fall into three very specific buckets. First, you’ve got the early window, which kicks off at 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT for the folks actually in Dallas). Then there’s the late afternoon window, usually starting at 4:25 PM ET. Finally, you have the primetime games—Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, and the occasional Thursday Night slog—which generally kick off around 8:15 PM or 8:20 PM ET.
The Cowboys are a "late window" team. Why? Because the networks know that a 4:25 PM ET Cowboys game against a rival like the Eagles or the Giants will pull higher ratings than almost anything else on television. If you're wondering what time the cowboys come on today, and it's a Sunday, your safest bet is usually that late-afternoon slot. However, if they are playing a team in the AFC, the game might be on CBS instead of their usual home on FOX, which can sometimes shift the start time slightly or affect which local markets get the broadcast.
It gets weirder during the holidays.
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The Thanksgiving Day game is the one constant in an ever-shifting universe. For decades, the Cowboys have owned the 4:30 PM ET (3:30 PM CT) slot on Thanksgiving. It is the bridge between the early turkey and the evening nap. If it’s the fourth Thursday in November, you don’t even need to check a schedule. You just know.
Why the Kickoff Time Actually Changes
Television "flex scheduling" is the bane of every tailgater’s existence. Under current NFL rules, the league can move games into or out of the Sunday Night Football slot to ensure a high-stakes matchup gets the maximum audience. This usually starts around Week 5 but becomes much more aggressive after Week 12.
Imagine this: You’ve planned a whole backyard BBQ because you thought the Cowboys were playing at 1:00 PM. Then, two weeks before the game, the NFL realizes the Cowboys are in a divisional race and the original Sunday Night game is a total blowout. Suddenly, the kickoff is moved to 8:20 PM ET. It’s great for NBC, but it ruins your brisket timing.
Knowing Your Network
- FOX: This is the primary home for the NFC. Since the Cowboys are in the NFC East, most of their games live here.
- CBS: Usually handles AFC games, but under the "cross-flex" rules, they frequently grab Cowboys games to boost their own ratings.
- NBC: The home of Sunday Night Football. If the Cowboys are good (or even if they’re just relevant), expect them here at 8:20 PM ET.
- ESPN/ABC: Monday Night Football. These start at 8:15 PM ET.
- Amazon Prime: Thursday Night Football. 8:15 PM ET start.
The Time Zone Trap
We have to talk about the Central Time Zone. Dallas is in it. Most of the sports media world operates in Eastern Time. This creates a perpetual 60-minute disconnect. When a national broadcaster says "The game starts at four," a fan in Fort Worth might think they have an extra hour, while a fan in El Paso—which is in Mountain Time—is already missing the first quarter.
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Always check the suffix. ET, CT, MT, PT.
If you are watching from overseas, it’s even more chaotic. A standard 4:25 PM ET kickoff means a 9:25 PM start in London and a middle-of-the-night 5:25 AM start in Tokyo. The Cowboys have a massive international following, particularly in Mexico, where the time zones usually align more closely with the US Central Time, making it much easier for fans in Mexico City to keep track of what time the cowboys come on.
The Pre-Game Factor
Technically, the "time the Cowboys come on" and the "kickoff time" are two different things. If you tune in exactly at the listed kickoff time, you’ve already missed the national anthem, the coin toss, and about twenty minutes of talking heads predicting how many interceptions Dak Prescott might throw.
Most broadcasts begin their "countdown" or "pre-game" coverage 30 to 60 minutes before the ball actually touches a tee. If the schedule says 4:25 PM, the ball is usually in the air by 4:27 PM. Don’t be the person who shows up at 4:40 PM wondering why the score is already 7-0.
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How to Check the Schedule Like a Pro
Don’t just Google it and trust the first snippet you see. Snippets can be outdated or cached from the previous season. The most reliable ways to verify the time are:
- The Official Dallas Cowboys App: It syncs to your phone’s local time zone automatically.
- NFL.com: Use the "Scores" tab. It’s the source of truth for flex changes.
- Local Listings: If you’re using an antenna, check your local FOX or CBS affiliate’s website. They often have specific "Game Day" countdowns.
It’s worth noting that the NFL schedule is released in mid-May. While the dates and opponents are set then, the "flex" window means that anything from Week 12 through Week 18 is essentially written in pencil.
The Impact of Late Starts on Game Strategy
Believe it or not, the time of day matters to the players, too. A 1:00 PM ET start means the sun is high over the stadium. At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the infamous "sun glare" coming through the west-end windows during afternoon games has famously interfered with receivers trying to catch passes.
If the Cowboys come on at 4:25 PM ET (3:25 PM CT), that sun is hitting a very specific angle by the second or third quarter. Jerry Jones has resisted putting up curtains for years, claiming the sunlight is part of the stadium's "ambiance." For a player, that ambiance is a blinding white light. If they play at 8:20 PM, the lights are on, the roof is often closed, and the glare is a non-issue.
Actionable Steps for the Next Kickoff
To make sure you never miss a snap, take these specific actions before the next game day:
- Sync your digital calendar. Go to the Cowboys' official website and download the "Add to Calendar" file. This will automatically update if the NFL flexes a game from the afternoon to primetime.
- Check the "In-Market" status. Use a tool like 506 Sports. Every Wednesday, they release maps showing which parts of the country will get which games. Just because the Cowboys are playing doesn't mean your local station is airing them, especially if you live in a city with its own local team playing at the same time.
- Verify your streaming delay. If you’re watching on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, you are likely 30 to 60 seconds behind the "live" broadcast. Turn off your NFL app notifications, or you’ll get a "Touchdown!" alert on your phone before you see the play happen on your screen.
- Account for the "Doubleheader" rule. Sometimes, if the early game on a network goes into overtime, the Cowboys game will be pushed to a secondary channel (like FOX Business or a different local sub-channel) until the first game finishes. Keep your remote handy.
The Cowboys are a powerhouse of entertainment, and the league maximizes that by moving them around the clock. Stay flexible, watch the "flex" announcements after Week 10, and always double-check the time zone suffix.