All 32 teams take the field from Thursday through Saturday, with live radio coverage available through SiriusXM, NFL+ and local team networks.
By Barry Lee, The Audio Concierge | Web Radio Info
Football is back on the radio.
The 2026 NFL preseason began with the Hall of Fame Game on August 6, but the schedule expands considerably this week. All 32 teams will be in action from Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15.
Preseason football can be difficult to follow casually. Familiar starters may appear briefly or not at all. Rosters change throughout the game, younger players receive extended playing time, and coaches experiment with new combinations.
That is where a knowledgeable radio team becomes especially valuable. Local announcers have followed training camp, know the players competing for jobs and can explain why a third-down conversion or special-teams tackle may affect someone’s chances of making the roster.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule
All times are Eastern.
Thursday, August 13
- Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals, 7:00 p.m.
- Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7:00 p.m.
- Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots, 7:30 p.m.
- Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 8:00 p.m.
- Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:00 p.m.
- Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers, 9:00 p.m.
Friday, August 14
- Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons, 7:00 p.m.
- Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders, 7:00 p.m.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15
- Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills, 1:00 p.m.
- Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m.
- Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, 1:00 p.m.
- Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs, 4:00 p.m.
- Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints, 4:00 p.m.
- Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens, 7:00 p.m.
- Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks, 8:00 p.m.
The complete schedule is available from the NFL.
How to Listen
SiriusXM
SiriusXM carries live play-by-play throughout the preseason, with home and away team feeds available for every NFL game.
The SiriusXM app provides dedicated channels for all 32 teams. Compatible vehicles equipped with SiriusXM 360L can also access the team channels. Traditional satellite-radio channel assignments vary by game, so check the SiriusXM NFL schedule shortly before kickoff.
SiriusXM NFL Radio provides league news, interviews and analysis around the clock on Channel 88. Some games may appear on that channel, but listeners should use the published game schedule or team channels to find the correct play-by-play feed.
A SiriusXM subscription that includes NFL coverage is required.
SiriusXM has also announced a new Sports Pass costing $5 per month or $49 per year for new subscribers. It will include every live sporting event and sports channel carried by SiriusXM, but it does not launch until September 1. The new plan will therefore arrive after the preseason and in time for the regular season.
NFL+ Audio
NFL+ includes live home, away and national radio calls for every NFL game.
The service is available in the United States through the NFL app and NFL.com. A listener can usually choose the home team’s announcers, the visiting team’s broadcast or a national call when one is offered.
That choice is especially helpful during the preseason. Local announcers are more likely to recognize rookies, reserve players and undrafted free agents who may be unfamiliar to a national audience.
NFL+ pricing and plan details can change, so confirm the current subscription options on the official page before enrolling. NFL+ Premium is not required solely for live game audio.
Local Radio Networks
Every NFL team has a local radio network led by a flagship station. These broadcasts can be particularly informative during the preseason because the announcers have followed the team through training camp.
Visit the team’s official website and look for its radio network, broadcast information or game-day page. Listeners within the team’s market may be able to hear the game free over the air on an AM or FM affiliate.
Internet availability is less predictable. Some affiliates stream games online, while others must replace the play-by-play with different programming because of NFL rights restrictions.
Do not assume a station’s ordinary web stream, mobile application or smart-speaker feed will carry the game. When possible, test it before kickoff and keep SiriusXM or NFL+ available as a backup.
Smart Speakers
SiriusXM subscribers can link their accounts to supported Alexa and Google Assistant devices. Asking for an NFL team channel may provide a screen-free route to the game, but channel names and assignments can vary.
Test the voice command before kickoff. If the speaker opens general NFL discussion instead of the live broadcast, locate the team channel in the SiriusXM app and use its exact name.
NFL+ does not provide the same direct smart-speaker experience. Listeners can play the game through the NFL app on a phone or tablet and send the audio to a Bluetooth speaker.
Local affiliates may appear through TuneIn, iHeartRadio or Audacy, but streaming restrictions can prevent the game from playing even when the station’s over-the-air broadcast carries it.
The Audio Concierge Recommendation
Thursday offers the largest evening slate, with six games beginning between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
Green Bay at Pittsburgh is an appealing place to begin. Both teams have established radio traditions and attentive fan bases. Indianapolis at New England may also interest listeners following quarterback development and roster changes.
Saturday provides the closest thing to an all-day football radio marathon. Three games begin at 1:00 p.m., two follow at 4:00 p.m., and the final pair carries the schedule into Saturday night.
Florida listeners have three games to consider:
- Miami at Washington, Friday at 7:00 p.m.
- Tampa Bay at the New York Jets, Friday at 7:00 p.m.
- Jacksonville at New Orleans, Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
Preseason games do not count in the standings, but they matter greatly to players fighting for roster positions. A knowledgeable local broadcast can help listeners recognize those smaller stories before they disappear beneath the final score.
Whether you are listening in the car, relaxing on the porch or following a game while working around the house, football radio lets the action accompany the rest of your day. You can hear the crowd, follow every possession and understand what is happening without remaining tied to a screen.
Which preseason matchup are you most interested in hearing? Tell us in the comments whether you plan to use local radio, SiriusXM or NFL+.
Game dates and kickoff times were verified on August 12, 2026. Schedules, channel assignments and streaming availability remain subject to change.