Can You Watch 2024 NFL Preseason Games for Free?
It can be a little tricky to keep track of your favorite NFL team’s preseason games, but we’ll break down the best options to watch free below.
The calendar may still say summer, but the NFL is ramping up. Preseason games have already begun, as fans who watched the rain-shortened Hall of Fame game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans last week know. Every other team in the league gets started with their preseason schedule in the coming days, and I’ll help fans find the best viewing options for watching their favorite squad’s preseason outings free below!
How Can You Watch 2024 NFL Preseason Games Free?
Option 1: Free Trial to a Live TV Streaming Service
There are several live TV streaming services that offer free trials of varying lengths. If you’re just looking to catch your team’s first preseason game at no cost, this can be an excellent way to watch for free and see them in action for the first time in 2024.
| DTV STREAM | DTV Internet | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Get $100 Back | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Get 50% OFF | Sign Up | |||
| $86.99 | $69.99 | $94.99 | $82.99 | $28 | $40 | $40 | $72.99 | ||
| CBS | ✓ | + $0 | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | ✓ | + $0 | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NBC | ✓ | + $0 | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | + $15 | + $15 | ✓ | ✓ | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
There are four national TV networks that will air preseason games this season: CBS, Fox, NBC and NFL Network. These channels are available on DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV, all of which offer free trials.
If you decide to go this route, we think DIRECTV STREAM is the best way to go. It’s got a five-day free trial and carries all of these networks on its base CHOICE package ($108.99 per month after the trial ends). If you don’t want to go this route, try Hulu + Live TV and its three-day free trial.
Sling TV does carry some of the networks you’ll need, but it doesn’t have CBS anywhere, nor does it carry Fox or NBC in all markets. Viewers can stream CBS and all of its programming live on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, which offers a standard seven-day free trial.
Our Top Choice for Watching 2023 NFL Preseason Games: DIRECTV STREAM
- Five-day free trial
- Largest selection of top cable and sports channels
- $10 off the first three months for a limited time
Our Recommendation for Sports Fans to Watch 2023 NFL Preseason Games and More: Hulu + Live TV
- Three-day free trial
- All needed channels on base plan
- ESPN+ comes free with all plans at $76.99 per month or more.
Option 2: Free Trial to On-Demand Streamers
Prime Video will offer a live preseason game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, and viewers can watch it for free with a 30-day free trial. Paramount+ comes with a seven-day trial as well, and its Paramount+ with SHOWTIME tier offers a 24/7 livestream of CBS in your market. If your local team plays preseason games on a CBS affiliate, this is the perfect way to watch at least one game free.
The Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos preseason game in Week 3 will be shown on CBS nationally, so Paramount+ will allow you to stream this game free at the very least.
Option 3: Watch Games Over the Air
If you don’t have an over-the-air (OTA) antenna yet, this option won’t technically be free. But for a one-time purchase price, you can grab an antenna and watch your local team’s preseason games with no monthly subscription charges or other fees. The vast majority of NFL teams play preseason games on local broadcast channels in their home markets, and this is a great way to see those games without worrying about paying $75 per month or more for an expensive live TV service.
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Can You Watch NFL Preseason Games Free on NFL+?
NFL+ is a streaming service run by the league itself to help distribute games. It allows fans to watch live, out-of-market preseason games on select devices, but it does not offer a free trial at this time. Plans start at $6.99 per month, and viewers cannot watch any in-market preseason contests on the service.