It’ll still be summertime for nearly two more months, but NFL training camps have begun across the league. That means preseason games are just around the corner, allowing fans to see their team in action for the first time ahead of the 2026 NFL regular season. The first preseason game — the NFL’s Hall of Fame game — will air on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC — and from there each team will Find out how to watch NFL preseason games broadcast on local and national channels like ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, NFL Network, and ESPN below, and stream it all with a subscription to DIRECTV.

How to watch the 2026 NFL preseason

• When: Starting Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC, NFL Network
• Stream: Watch with a subscription to DIRECTV.
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 NFL preseason

What is the schedule of 2026 NFL preseason games?

NFL Hall of Fame Game

Preseason Week 1

Preseason Week 2

Preseason Week 3

Why watch the 2026 NFL preseason on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV is our favorite choice for watching NFL preseason games in 2026 because it offers all the channels you’ll need to watch games plus ESPN Unlimited access in its MySports Genre Pack. This plan comes with 20+ sports channels, including ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC in nearly all markets, plus ESPN and NFL Network.

Normally, this plan costs $65 per month, but it’s discounted to just $50 for a new subscriber’s first two months for a limited time. That will take you not only through the NFL preseason, but a month into the regular season as well!

Watch all games from the 2026 NFL preseason with DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack, or upgrade to a CHOICE plan starting at $95 per month if you’re looking for a package of 100+ channels! Plus, all DIRECTV streaming plans received through the service’s app on your own device offer a five-day free trial for new subscribers.

5-Day Trial

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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.

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Following the launch of several genre-specific Genre Packs, there are now even more flexible ways to watch DIRECTV. Options like MySports, MyEntertainment, MyNews, and MiEspañol provide affordable, targeted alternatives to larger bundles, allowing viewers to subscribe to a specific set of channels that match their interests without the cost of a full lineup.

DIRECTV starts at $59.99 / month for its Entertainment package. You can access your local regional sports network with the Choice package, which begins at $64.99 / month, as well as the MySports Pack $44.99 / month. At the top end, they also have an Ultimate ($94.99) for 218 channels. Slimmer Genre Packs for entertainment and news are MyEntertainment for $42.99 / month and MyNews $39.99 / month. There is no contract or broadcast TV fees with this DIRECTV streaming option.

The service was previously called DIRECTV STREAM, preceded by AT&T TV.

How much does DIRECTV cost in 2026?

DIRECTV now offers flexible entry points starting at $19.99/month for the MyKids Genre Pack, while full Signature Packages like Entertainment start at $84.99/month. See the full list: DIRECTV Pricing & Plans

Does DIRECTV have a free trial?

Yes, DIRECTV offers a 5-Day Free Trial for new customers, which includes access to your chosen package and any added Genre Packs.

What are DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Genre Packs are targeted, contract-free plans introduced in 2025. They include MySports ($69.99/mo), MyEntertainment ($34.99/mo), MyNews ($39.99/mo), and MiEspañol ($34.99/mo), often bundling apps like Max, Disney+, or Hulu.

How many channels does DIRECTV have?

The channel count varies by plan: the Entertainment package starts with 90+ channels, while the Premier package offers over 185+ channels. See the full list: DIRECTV Channels.

How many streams are allowed at once on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV allows for unlimited simultaneous streams on your home network and up to 3 streams while on the go. See more details: DIRECTV Simultaneous Streams

Does DIRECTV include local channels?

Yes, local affiliates like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC are included in all Signature Packages and the MySports Genre Pack in most markets. See the full list: DIRECTV Local Channels.

Does DIRECTV have live sports?

DIRECTV is a leader in sports, offering ESPN, FS1, NFL Network, and MLB Network, plus Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in the Choice plan and above. See the full list: DIRECTV Sports Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer premium channels?

Yes, you can add Max, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Cinemax. Many 2026 Genre Packs now include these services as part of the base price. See the full list: DIRECTV Premium Channels.

Does DIRECTV offer 4K streaming?

DIRECTV provides dedicated 4K channels (104-106) for live sports and special events at no extra cost, provided you have a compatible 4K device.

Does DIRECTV have a DVR?

Every DIRECTV plan includes Unlimited Cloud DVR storage, allowing you to record and save shows for up to 9 months.

Is there a Regional Sports Network (RSN) fee on DIRECTV?

An RSN fee of up to $15.99/month applies to the Choice package and above, as these plans include local sports coverage. This fee is determined by your zip code and the number of Regional Sports Networks available in your area.

Can I avoid the RSN fee on DIRECTV?

Yes. To avoid the RSN fee, you can subscribe to the Entertainment package or the MySports Genre Pack ($69.99/mo), which bundles sports content without a separate itemized RSN charge. See the breakdown: DIRECTV RSN Fees & Locations.

5-Day Trial

$59.99+ / month

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Start streaming DIRECTV & save up to $30 off your 1st mo. of service! Learn how.

Can you watch the 2026 NFL preseason for free?

There is no streamer that will let you watch the entirety of the NFL preseason for free. But, like DIRECTV, a few offer free trials with which you can stream at least some games at no cost.

Fubo carries ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, and NFL Network in its Pro and Elite packages, and all of those channels are included in the Fubo Sports service. Fubo offers a free trial of between one and seven days, depending on factors such as what time of month you subscribe and others.

Hulu + Live TV includes a three-day free trial, after which its core package with the Disney Bundle thrown in costs $90 per month.

YouTube TV has all the channels you need to watch NFL preseason games in its core package, as well as its Sports Genre Plan. Its free trial can last between two and 21 days, depending on several variables.

Watch a preview of the 2026 NFL season

See all the services you can use to watch the 2026 NFL preseason

The 2026 NFL preseason can be watched on DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Sling TV carries ABC, Fox, and NBC in a small number of markets in its Blue and Select plans, which also feature NFL Network. Sling Orange carries ESPN, but if you’re looking for an all-in-one experience to watch every game, Sling is probably not the best choice. DIRECTV is our favorite option, as we laid out above.

ESPN Unlimited will stream any NFL preseason games appearing on the national ESPN channel. Its plans start at $30 per month, and fans can bundle it with Disney+, Hulu, and other services as well.

Fox One will stream the Seahawks vs. Titans game on Aug. 23, but will not offer streams of locally televised preseason games on Fox. Its plans start at $20 per month.

Paramount+ includes a live stream of local CBS stations with its Premium plan. Viewers will be able to watch in-market NFL preseason games with a subscription, as well as one nationally televised game on CBS. Paramount+ Premium costs $13 per month, and the Essential tier ($9 per month) will carry the nationally broadcast Bengals vs. Eagles game on Aug. 28.

Peacock offers live streams of NBC stations on its ad-free Premium Plus plan, costing $17 per month. It will also stream any games appearing nationally on NBC, such as the Hall of Fame Game, on its Premium plan for $11 per month.

NFL+ allows fans to watch live out-of-market preseason games on both mobile devices and connected TV players, though in-market games are blacked out on the service. An NFL+ subscription starts at $7 per month.

Sign up

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ESPN Unlimited

ESPN launched its highly anticipated direct-to-consumer streaming service on August 21, 2025. For the first time, this service gives sports fans access to its full lineup of linear channels without a traditional cable or satellite subscription.

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Subscribers can pay the $31.99 monthly fee for ESPN Unlimited, which unlocks all ESPN linear channels — including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN on ABC — plus ESPN+ and ESPN3, totaling around 47,000 live events each year. A subscription may be purchased monthly or annually.

ESPN+ content is available as part of an ESPN Ultimate subscription; those seeking only ESPN+ can subscribe to ESPN Select for $13.99 instead.

ESPN Unlimited offers extensive coverage of the NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports, UFC, soccer, tennis, and more, along with original programming, studio shows, and “30 for 30” documentaries. Starting in 2026, the platform will become the exclusive U.S. streaming home for WWE’s premium live events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.

NFL Network and NFL RedZone are also included through an NFL-ESPN partnership, which adds draft coverage, preseason games, and NFL+ Premium features. The enhanced ESPN app will feature Multiview for watching multiple games simultaneously, real-time stats, betting and fantasy tools, personalized highlight reels, and even e-commerce options for tickets and merchandise.

On September 1, 2026, ESPN Unlimited prices were raised — barely a year after launch — from $13 to $14 per month for ESPN Select and from $30 to $32 for ESPN Unlimited.

Viewers can subscribe directly or bundle ESPN Unlimited with Disney+ and Hulu. With its robust live sports lineup, premium features, and the convenience of streaming anywhere, ESPN’s new service is a must-have for die-hard sports fans looking to cut the cord without sacrificing coverage.

Sign up

$31.99+ / month

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How to watch the 2026 NFL preseason from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch parts of the 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 to 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 the game with a VPN.

ExpressVPN is one of the best providers around, at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get a month of service for as little as $5. ExpressVPN is the most-trusted VPN on the market and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, best-in-class encryption, 24-hour live support, and the best speeds available.

While ExpressVPN 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.

• Most Secure: NordVPN | Starting at $3.09 per month
• Best Budget Option: Surfshark | Starting at $2.50 per month
• Best Free Option: Proton VPN | Free plan available

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