The 2025 NFL preseason begins! See how to stream top games
The 2025 NFL preseason begins! See how to stream top games
Some of the most exciting teams of this year make their preseason debuts on national TV, and we’ll show you how to stream those games!
It’s been a long, hot summer of waiting, but the NFL preseason is ready to return to your TV screen. Preseason Week 1 games begin on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. ET, and the preseason will continue through Saturday, Aug. 23. Nationally televised NFL preseason games will be shown on CBS, Fox, NFL Network, and Prime Video, and our favorite way to watch games on linear TV is with a subscription to DIRECTV.
How to watch the 2025 NFL preseason
- When: Starting Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS, Fox, NFL Network, Prime Video
- Stream: Watch on Prime Video, and with a subscription to DIRECTV.
- From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.
Everything you need to know about the 2025 NFL preseason
What is the schedule of nationally televised 2025 NFL preseason games?
Week 1
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Aug. 7 | 7 p.m. | Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens | NFL Network |
| 10 p.m. | Las Vegas Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks | NFL Network | |
| Friday, Aug. 8 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers | NFL Network |
| Saturday, Aug. 9 | 1 p.m. | New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills | NFL Network |
| 4 p.m. | Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings | NFL Network | |
| 8 p.m. | New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers | NFL Network | |
| Sunday, Aug. 10 | 1 p.m. | Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears | NFL Network |
| 4:05 p.m. | New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers | NFL Network |
Week 2
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, Aug. 15 | 7 p.m. | Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons | NFL Network |
| 10 p.m. | Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks | NFL Network | |
| Saturday, Aug. 16 | 1 p.m. | Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles | NFL Network |
| 4 p.m. | San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders | NFL Network | |
| 7 p.m. | New York Jets vs. New York Giants | NFL Network | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos | NFL Network | |
| Sunday, Aug. 17 | 1 p.m. | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints | NFL Network |
| 8 p.m. | Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears | Fox, Fox Deportes | |
| Monday, Aug. 18 | 8 p.m. | Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Commanders | ESPN, ESPN Deportes |
Week 3
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Aug. 21 | 7 p.m. | Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Carolina Panthers | NFL Network |
| 8 p.m. | New England Patriots vs. New York Giants | Prime Video | |
| Friday, Aug. 22 | 8 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans | CBS |
| 8 p.m. | Atlanta Falcons vs. Dallas Cowboys | NFL Network | |
| Saturday, Aug. 23 | 1 p.m. | Los Angeles Rams vs. Cleveland Browns | NFL Network |
| 4 p.m. | Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers | NFL Network | |
| 7 p.m. | Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Miami Dolphins | NFL Network | |
| 10 p.m. | Las Vegas Raiders vs. Arizona Cardinals | NFL Network |
Why do we recommend watching 2025 NFL preseason on DIRECTV?
Most of the nationally televised NFL preseason games from the 2025 season will stream on NFL Network, which makes DIRECTV the perfect outlet to watch. Viewers can tune into the preseason with DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack, which includes NFL Network and other national sports channels like ESPN, as well as local affiliates of CBS and Fox.
Those local broadcast channels aren’t available in all markets with the MySports package, but for viewers who do get those channels will be able to stream every national preseason game at no extra cost. MySpors comes with a five-day free trial for new customers, after which plans start at $70 per month.
You’ll love having access to MySports for the NFL regular season as well, and when the NBA and NHL campaigns begin — not to mention the end of the MLB regular season and the start of college football. It packs a big punch with its live sports offerings, including a free ESPN+ subscription.
DIRECTV
DIRECTV is one of The Streamable’s top choices for the best live TV streaming service overall in 2026, especially for users who want the most channels or want to watch the most live sports. With an unbeatable lineup of local, news, sports, and entertainment channels, three main signature packages, an unlimited DVR, and 20 simultaneous streams at home, DIRECTV remains a premier choice for any cord-cutter.
Where can you watch locally broadcast NFL preseason games?
Most NFL preseason games play out on local broadcast channels, such as affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC. You can also watch these games on DIRECTV, either with the MySports Genre Pack or the ENTERTAINMENT Signature package, which starts at $85 per month.
Can you watch the 2025 NFL preseason for free?
Not the entire preseason, which lasts through Saturday, Aug. 23. But there are services that offer all the channels you’ll need to watch which provide free trials of at least a few days.
Hulu + Live TV comes with a three-day free trial for new customers, and its base package has all the channels you’ll need to watch. Once the trial is over, plans with the Disney Bundle included start at $83 per month.
Fubo comes with a free trial that can last between one day and seven, the length of which depends on factors like what time of month you sign up. When Fubo’s trial ends, the service costs $85 per month and up, not including regional sports network fees.
Finally, YouTube TV has a free trial of between two days and two weeks. Once the trial ends, YouTube TV costs $83 per month.
What are all the services you can use to watch the 2025 NFL preseason?
DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV all offer channels carrying NFL preseason games, and each come with a free trial. Of these options, DIRECTV is our favorite choice for the reasons discussed above.
You can also watch some NFL preseason games, including out-of-market contests and nationally televised matchups on NFL+ starting at $7 per month.
| DIRECTV | Fubo | Hulu | Philo | Sling TV | YouTube TV | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free Trial | Free 3-Day Trial | Free Trial | Save with Sling | Free Trial | |||||
| $20.99 | $9.99 | $28.99 | $25 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $45.99 | $45.99 | $64.99 | ||
| CBS | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | - | - | - | ✓ | |
| ESPN | + $24 | + $59 | + $61 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | |
| Fox | + $19 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
| NFL Network | + $15 | + $59 | + $61 | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | ✓ | |
About 2025 NFL preseason
There are plenty of questions surrounding the 2025 NFL preseason, and as things usually do in the sport of football, those questions center on several high-profile quarterbacks. Let’s start with the 2024 draft class; Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears is looking to bounce back from a less-than-ideal rookie year, while J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings is attempting to mount a comeback from injury.
The Cleveland Browns have one of the most intriguing quarterback situations in the league this year, with 2025 draftee Shedeur Sanders slated to start Week 1. And of course, No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans is hoping to show off the arm talent that led the Titans to select him first. Who are the players you’re most excited to see in the 2025 NFL preseason? Let us know in the comments!
How to watch 2025 NFL preseason from anywhere
If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch the 2025 NFL preseason as you normally would, you can still catch all of the action no matter where you are in the world with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home — even when you’re not — making sure you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Keep in mind that you will still need to be subscribed to a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV in order to stream games with a VPN.
NordVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get two full years of protection for just $3.59 per month — plus you’ll get three extra months FREE. A high-speed VPN with best-in-class security that can be used on up to 10 devices at once — what more could you ask for? Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!
While NordVPN is our recommendation for the best VPN to use while you are traveling, there are a number of other high-quality options available depending on what you are looking for.
- Best Features: ExpressVPN | Starting at $5 per month
- Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
- Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available