You're sitting there, wings in the air, remote in hand, and suddenly it hits you: where actually is the game? If you’ve ever scrambled to find the right channel while the kickoff clock is ticking down, you know that frantic energy. It’s the worst. Finding where to watch Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals shouldn't feel like a two-minute drill with no timeouts.
Look, the NFL media landscape is a mess right now. One week you’re on CBS, the next you’re digging through a streaming app you forgot you paid for. For this specific cross-conference showdown, the rules change depending on whether it’s a preseason tune-up or a regular-season clash.
The Local TV Shuffle
If you live in the Mile High city or the Valley of the Sun, you’ve got it easiest—kinda. For the preseason games, like the one we saw in August 2025 at Empower Field, local affiliates take the lead. In Denver, that’s usually 9NEWS (KUSA) or KTVD. Over in Arizona, Arizona’s Family (KPHO-TV/CBS 5) is the go-to.
But here’s the thing.
When it’s a regular-season game, the "national" rules apply. Because the Broncos are AFC and the Cardinals are NFC, the "away" team usually dictates the network.
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- If the game is in Denver: You’ll likely find it on FOX.
- If the game is in Arizona: It usually lands on CBS.
Why? Because the visiting team's conference owns the broadcast rights for those afternoon slots. Most people get this mixed up and end up staring at a blank screen on the wrong network.
Where to Watch Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals if You're Cord-Cutting
Honestly, cable is becoming a relic. If you’ve ditched the box, your best bet for the Broncos vs Cardinals game is a live TV streaming service.
YouTube TV is the heavyweight here. It’s got the local channels, and if the game is out-of-market for you, it’s the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. If you’re a Broncos fan living in Phoenix (or vice versa), Sunday Ticket is basically your only legal way to see every snap live.
Fubo is another solid choice, especially if you care about 4K broadcasts. They carry CBS, FOX, and NFL Network. Hulu + Live TV works too, though their interface can be a bit clunky when you're trying to find a specific game in a hurry.
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The "App" Strategy
Sometimes you don't need a full $80-a-month subscription.
- Paramount+: If the game is on CBS, you can stream it live here.
- NFL+: This is the league’s own app. It’s great for watching on your phone or tablet, but—and this is a big "but"—you can’t stream live regular-season games on your TV with the base plan. It’s mobile-only for the live stuff.
- Fox Sports App: You’ll need a cable login (or a friend's login, let's be real) to make this work.
Watching From Outside the U.S.
If you're a fan in London, Mexico City, or anywhere else across the pond, your life is actually simpler. NFL Game Pass International (now through DAZN) carries every single game live with no blackouts. It’s expensive, but it’s the most reliable way to watch the Broncos and Cardinals without worrying about regional broadcast maps.
Radio and Audio Options
Sometimes you're stuck in the car. It happens.
- Denver: Tune into KOA 850 AM or 94.1 FM. Dave Logan’s voice is practically the sound of Colorado autumn.
- Arizona: Catch it on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
If you have SiriusXM, they broadcast every NFL game. Just check the app for the specific Broncos or Cardinals channel assignments on game day.
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Dealing with Blackouts and Maps
Every Wednesday before a Sunday game, "coverage maps" are released. These maps show which parts of the country get which games. Since Broncos-Cardinals isn't always a "national" marquee matchup like Cowboys-Packers, large chunks of the country might get stuck with a different game.
If you aren't in the green or red zones on those maps, you won't find the game on your local CBS or FOX. That’s when you have to pivot to Sunday Ticket or head to a sports bar.
Basically, your game plan should be: check the network on Wednesday, verify your streaming logins on Saturday, and have the wings ready by Sunday morning.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Map: Visit 506 Sports on the Wednesday before the game to see if your region is actually broadcasting the matchup.
- Verify Your Tier: If you’re using Paramount+, make sure you have the plan that includes your local CBS station.
- Download the Apps Now: Don't wait until 5 minutes before kickoff to realize you need to update the NFL or YouTube TV app on your Smart TV.
- Set a Reminder: Use your phone to alert you an hour early so you can troubleshoot any "location permission" errors that inevitably pop up with streaming services.