NFL Confirms Preseason Week 1 Broadcast Rights and Schedule for 2026 Campaign

The National Football League has released the comprehensive schedule and broadcasting protocols for the first week of the 2026 preseason. The announcement confirms a three-week preseason structure as teams prepare for the upcoming season, with the opening fixtures concentrated across Thursday, 13 August, and extending through Friday, 15 August.

Distribution of the broadcast rights follows a hybrid model. The league’s national partners—NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN, and Prime Video—have each been allocated one exclusive game for the week. The remaining fixtures are designated for broadcast within the participating teams’ local markets, ensuring regional coverage remains a priority for the league’s traditional affiliate network.

NFL Network will simulcast several of the week’s matches, providing a centralised feed for games not selected by the primary national partners. The ESPN app will also carry select broadcasts, accessible to subscribers of its Unlimited plan. This multi-platform approach allows the league to maintain broad accessibility while leveraging digital streaming services to capture younger demographics.

The schedule for 13 August begins with six games on Thursday night. Key matchups include the Bengals versus the Lions and the Steelers versus the Packers, both kicking off at 7 p.m. ET. The Patriots versus Colts contest at Gillette Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Raiders versus Cardinals and the Texans versus Chargers at 8 p.m. ET. The 49ers versus Titans game closes the night at 9 p.m. ET.

Additional fixtures are set for 14 and 15 August. The 14 August slate features the Falcons versus Broncos, Jets versus Buccaneers, and Commanders versus Dolphins, all starting at 7 p.m. ET. The 15 August schedule includes a midday double-header with the Bills versus Panthers and Bears versus Browns at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Chiefs versus Rams and Saints versus Jaguars at 4 p.m. ET. The week concludes with the Ravens versus Eagles at 7 p.m. ET and the Seahawks versus Cowboys at 8 p.m. ET.

Streaming accessibility remains a focal point for the league’s digital strategy. fubo and DIRECTV are confirmed as primary streaming options for live television and sports content. Notably, fubo is offering a free trial for new subscribers, a tactic designed to lower the barrier to entry for viewers seeking access to the preseason games without a traditional cable subscription.