This post was written in partnership with Sling TV.
The NFL Preseason kicks off on Thursday, August 8, 2024, with two games. While a significant number of preseason games are made available only in-market, you can watch quite a few national broadcasts to see how the season is shaping up. Do the Minnesota Vikings finally have a franchise quarterback who will last? Are the San Francisco 49ers about to avenge their second-place finish last season? The preseason is where things start to take shape, and you don’t need a cable subscription to keep up.
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.
| Sling TV | DIRECTV STREAM | Fubo | Hulu + Live TV | YouTube TV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Network | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ESPN | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fox | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| CBS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| NBC | ✔* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Watch NFL Preseason on Sling TV (Featured Partner)
- Suggested Plan: Sling Orange & Blue
- Price: $55
- 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 DIRECTV STREAM
- Suggested Plan: Choice
- Price: $108.99
- 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: $79.99
- Free Trial: Yes
- Channels Included: NFL Network, ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC
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: $76.99
- 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 YouTube TV
- Suggested Plan: Base
- Price: $72.99
- 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.
NFL Preseason schedule 2024
The NFL Preseason is divided into three weeks, with 21 matchups airing on NFL Network. The full schedule is available below or on the ESPN website. Check back to see which channels will broadcast your team’s preseason games.
- Thursday, August 8 @ 7 p.m. Carolina Panthers vs. New England Patriots (NFL Network)
- Thursday, August 8 @ 7 p.m. Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants (TBD)
- Friday, August 9 @ 7 p.m. Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins (TBD)
- Friday, August 9 @ 7 p.m. Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Network)
- Friday, August 9 @ 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 12 p.m. Washington Commanders vs. New York Jets (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 1 p.m. Chicago Bears vs. Buffalo Bills (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 4 p.m. Las Vegas Raiders vs. Minnesota Vikings (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 4:25 p.m. Green Bay Packers vs. Cleveland Browns (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 7 p.m. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 7 p.m. San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 7 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 7:05 p.m. Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Chargers (TBD)
- Saturday, August 10 @ 8 p.m. New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals (TBD)
- Sunday, August 11 @ 1 p.m. Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts (NFL Network)
- Sunday, August 11 @ 4:30 p.m. Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams (NFL Network)
- Thursday, August 15 @ 7 p.m. Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 12 p.m. Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 1 p.m. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 1 p.m. New York Giants vs. Houston Texans (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 4 p.m. Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 4:25 p.m. Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7 p.m. Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7 p.m. Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7 p.m. Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7 p.m. Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7 p.m. New York Jets vs. Carolina Panthers (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7:05 p.m. Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (TBD)
- Saturday, August 17 @ 10 p.m. Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders (NFL Network)
- Sunday, August 18 @ 8 p.m. Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos (NFL Network)
- Sunday, August 18 @ 8 p.m. New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers (Fox)
- Thursday, August 22 @ 8:00 p.m. Indianapolis Colts vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Prime Video)
- Thursday, August 22 @ 8:20 p.m. Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs (NFL Network)
- Friday, August 23 @ 7 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons (NFL Network)
- Friday, August 23 @ 7:30 p.m. Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TBD)
- Friday, August 23 @ 10 p.m. San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 1 p.m. Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills (TBD)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 1 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 1 p.m. Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers (TBD)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 1 p.m. Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles (TBD)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 1 p.m. Los Angeles Rams vs. Houston Texans (TBD)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 4 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 7:30 p.m. New York Giants vs. New York Jets (NFL Network)
- Saturday, August 24 @ 10 p.m. Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks (NFL Network)
- Sunday, August 25 @ 2 p.m. Tennessee Titans vs. New Orleans Saints (NFL Network)
- Sunday, August 25 @ 4:30 p.m. Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos (CBS)
- Sunday, August 25 @ 8:00 p.m. New England Patriots vs. Washington Commanders (NBC)
*All of the times are Eastern
FAQ
Where can I watch NFL preseason football?
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.
Is NFL preseason on Prime Video?
For the 2024-2025 NFL season, one game will air on Prime Video. The Indianapolis Colts will play at the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, August 22 at 8 p.m. ET. This game will be exclusive to Amazon Prime and kick off the network’s TNF coverage for the season.
How can I watch NFL games for free?
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.
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