NFL preseason games are shown on a mix of national channels (mainly NFL Network and ESPN) plus local broadcast affiliates like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, depending on the specific matchup and market.

Key channels for NFL preseason

  • NFL Network carries a large slate of live preseason games nationally each year and rebroadcasts many others.
  • ESPN airs select nationally televised preseason matchups, often in prime-time slots.
  • Broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) show individual preseason games, especially when they’re tied to their regular-season packages or special events like the Hall of Fame Game.
  • In each team’s home area, local TV stations (usually the local affiliate of CBS, FOX, ABC, or NBC) carry most preseason games that aren’t on a national feed.

Streaming options

  • NFL+ shows every live out-of-market preseason game on mobile and compatible devices.
  • Live TV streaming services that include NFL Network and the main sports/broadcast channels (such as those offering ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC) generally let you stream preseason games as if you had cable.

How to find your exact channel

  1. Check your favorite team’s official website or app; they list preseason TV info by game (channel and kickoff time) for your market.
  1. Look at the league’s preseason TV schedule (often posted on the NFL’s official site as a PDF or schedule page) to see which games are on national TV (NFL Network, ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC).
  1. If you use streaming, open your live TV app’s sports or search section on game day and search by team name; it will surface the correct channel feed if your package includes it.

In practice, if you just want a quick rule of thumb: start with NFL Network and your local ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC station, then confirm for your team’s specific game using its official site or app.

TL;DR: There isn’t one single channel; most preseason games air on NFL Network and local affiliates, with some on ESPN and the major broadcast networks, plus streaming via NFL+ and live TV services.