Watch the NFL on FuboTV
Watch the NFL on Hulu + Live TV
The NFL Preseason kicks off in early August. While many preseason games are made available only in-market, you can watch quite a few national broadcasts to see how the season might pan out. The preseason is where things start to take shape, and you don’t need a cable subscription to keep up.
Table of contents
Where to watch NFL Preseason
Many preseason NFL games will air on local channels. Outside of that, NFL Network will broadcast the highest number of games. One game will also air on Amazon Prime Video, but that app must be purchased separately from your live TV streaming subscription.
| DIRECTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fox | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ |
| CBS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| NBC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Watch NFL Preseason on DIRECTV STREAM
- Suggested Plan: Choice
- Price: $114.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC
DIRECTV STREAM is an excellent way to watch the NFL preseason. Not only does the dish-free service have every channel you need to watch nationally broadcast games, but you can get a ton of local sports action, too. DIRECTV STREAM is one of only two that have a deal with Bally Sports. You’ll need to have the Choice plan or above to get NFL Network, which also unlocks regional sports networks like Bally Sports and Marquee Sports Network.
DIRECTV STREAM has four plans to choose from, each tier unlocking more channels than the last. Some of the available sports networks on the platform include NHL Network, CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). Every DIRECTV STREAM plan comes with unlimited Cloud DVR, and you can stream on unlimited devices within your household.
Watch NFL Preseason on Fubo
- Suggested Plan: Pro
- Price: $84.99*
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC
*Regional Sports Fee may apply
Fubo is another solid streaming option for sports fans. NFL Network is a part of all three Fubo plans, even the least expensive one. Plus, you’ll also get Bally Sports networks and other regional content. And, Fubo has ESPN and all local channels. The platform started as a sports-centered streaming service, and it shows.
Other sports channels available on Fubo include FS1, FS2, ESPN2, Fox Soccer Plus, Big Ten Network, and GOLF Channel. If you’re a baseball fan, you’re not out of luck. You’ll get MLB Network with the paid Sports Lite add-on, which also delivers NHL Network and NBA TV. All Fubo customers now get unlimited DVR and can stream on up to 10 devices within their home network.
Watch NFL Preseason on Hulu + Live TV
- Suggested Plan: Hulu + Live TV
- Price: $82.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC
Hulu + Live TV only has a single plan, which could give some potential users pause. But the features of that single plan are pretty good for sports fans. For one, you’ll have every channel you need to watch the NFL preseason. If you get the paid Sports add-on, you’ll also add NFL RedZone to your Hulu + Live TV channel lineup. Hulu + Live TV subscribers get ESPN Plus for free, which means access to college ball and NFL highlights and analysis.
Some of the other sports networks in the Hulu + Live TV channel guide include MLB Network, CBS Sports Network, SEC Network, ESPN2, FS1, and Big Ten Network. All customers also get the massive Hulu video-on-demand library and unlimited cloud DVR. You can stream on up to two devices at the same time.
Watch NFL Preseason on Sling TV
- Suggested Plan: Sling Orange & Blue
- Price: $60.99
- Free Trial: No
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, NBC
Sling TV doesn’t have the longest channel list, but it is very affordable and you may be able to get most of the channels carrying NFL preseason games. In some markets, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, customers have access to both Fox and NBC with Sling TV. Unfortunately, CBS is not on any channel lineups at this time. To get local networks and the NFL Network, you’ll need either Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue. ESPN is only available on Sling Orange, which makes the combined Sling Orange & Blue plan the best option for NFL fans.
Other channels on Sling TV include FS1, ESPN2, and TNT. Each Sling TV plan also offers a Sports Extra. If you pay a little extra each month, you’ll be able to turn on popular networks like MLB Network, MLB Network Strike Zone, and GOLF Channel just to name a few. Customers get 50 hours of DVR storage by default, but you can get 200 hours with an upgrade. Sling Orange & Blue customers can stream on up to four devices at the same time.
Watch NFL Preseason on YouTube TV
- Suggested Plan: Base
- Price: $82.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC
YouTube TV only has one channel plan, but it includes NFL Network, ESPN, NBC, and all the other local channels. Plus, YouTube TV has cool game-watching features that you won’t find anywhere else. This includes Key Plays, a real-time function that lets you catch up on game highlights if you turn on an NFL game part-way through. YouTube TV also has FS1, FS2, ESPN2, NBA TV, CBS Sports Network, and the Tennis Channel.
YouTube TV is also the only place to buy the NFL Sunday Ticket for out-of-market football games during the regular season. Adding it to an existing YouTube TV subscription means upcoming games get added to your home screen, streamlining your NFL viewing. If that’s still not enough, the paid Sports Plus add-on will give you channels such as NFL RedZone, Fox Soccer Plus, Billiard TV, FanDuel TV, and more. YouTube TV gives all subscribers unlimited Cloud DVR storage and three simultaneous streams.
FAQ
Many NFL preseason games air on local affiliate networks, but a large number of games will also air on NFL Network. Prime Video, NBC, Fox, CBS, and ESPN will also carry a handful of games.
For the 2025-2026 NFL season, one game will air on Prime Video. This game will be exclusive to Amazon Prime and kick off the network’s TNF coverage for the season.
If you have an HD over-the-air antenna, you may be able to pick up a signal to watch NFL games on local channels. Some live TV streaming services also offer short free trials that you could use to watch one week of play.
"We often receive complimentary products to review at Sportsnaut. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team."