How to Watch NFL Preseason Week 1 Games (August 13, 2026): Your Complete Streaming Guide

Quick Note: The NFL preseason kicks off tonight with six games, but they’re scattered across different channels and streaming services. Don’t worry—we’ll break it all down so you know exactly where to tune in!

What Games Are On Tonight?

Here’s the full schedule for Thursday, August 13, 2026:

Games on ESPN Unlimited & NFL Network

Games on NFL+ Only

Important: The Raiders vs. Cardinals game won’t air on regular ESPN—you must have an ESPN Unlimited subscription.

Is Thursday Night Football on Amazon Tonight?

Nope!

• The first preseason game on Amazon Prime Video is Thursday, August 27: Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots at 8:00 PM ET.
• The first regular-season Thursday Night Football on Amazon starts Week 2 (September 17): Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions.

How to Watch NFL Network

You can get NFL Network through:

Traditional Cable Providers

• Dish, Fios, Optimum, Xfinity, and more

Live TV Streaming Services (No Cable Needed!)

• Hulu + Live TV
• Sling TV
• DIRECTV Stream
• Fubo TV
• YouTube TV

Bonus: NFL Network is Also Included With…

• NFL+ subscription
• ESPN Unlimited subscription
• NFL App (if you have a valid cable login)

ESPN Unlimited: What You Need to Know

What Is ESPN Unlimited?

Think of it as ESPN’s premium streaming tier—it gives you extra live sports, including NFL Network, that you don’t get with regular ESPN.

How to Get ESPN Unlimited

Can You Activate ESPN Unlimited Through Your Current TV Provider?

Yes! If you already subscribe to any of these, you can activate ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost:

• DIRECTV
• FuboTV
• Hulu + Live TV
• YouTube TV
• Comcast Xfinity
• Spectrum TV
• Verizon FiOS
• U-Verse
• Cox

Free Trial Hack: How to Watch Without Paying (Yet)

ESPN Unlimited doesn’t offer a direct free trial, but you can get it free by signing up for a trial of these live TV services—which include ESPN Unlimited in select packages:

1. DIRECTV Stream – Free trial available
2. FuboTV – Free trial available
3. YouTube TV – Free trial available
4. Hulu + Live TV – Free trial available

Pro Tip: DIRECTV’s "MySports" package includes ESPN Unlimited for $49.99/month for the first two months (then $64.99/month).

How to Watch Out-of-Market Preseason Games on NFL+

NFL+ is the NFL’s own streaming service. It lets you watch live out-of-market preseason games on your TV, phone, tablet, or computer.

NFL+ Pricing

Bundle Deal: ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium

• $39.99/month or $45.99/month (with Disney+ & Hulu)
• Includes NFL RedZone!

Step-by-Step: Pick Your Best Option in 3 Minutes

1. Check what you already have – Do you subscribe to Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV, or a cable provider? You might already get NFL Network or ESPN Unlimited!
2. Decide which games matter most – Raiders vs. Cardinals? You need ESPN Unlimited. The other three NFL Network games? Any live TV service works. The three NFL+ games? You need NFL+.
3. Pick a plan or start a free trial – Use the tables above to match your budget and needs.
4. Download the app – ESPN App, NFL App, or your live TV provider’s app.
5. Log in and enjoy!

Key Takeaways (Callout Box)

TL;DR – The Must-Knows

• 6 games tonight – Split across 3 different platforms
• Raiders vs. Cardinals = ESPN Unlimited only (not regular ESPN)
• Bengals vs. Lions & Titans vs. 49ers = NFL Network (widely available)
• Lions vs. Bengals, Colts vs. Patriots, Chargers vs. Texans = NFL+ only
• No Amazon tonight – First Prime game is August 27
• Free trial trick – Sign up for Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or DIRECTV to get ESPN Unlimited free for a week
• Best value bundles – ESPN Unlimited + NFL+ Premium = $39.99/mo (add Disney+/Hulu for $6 more)

Summary

Tonight’s NFL preseason action is a streaming puzzle, but here’s the cheat sheet:

Pro move: Grab a free trial of Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV → activate ESPN Unlimited → watch Raiders vs. Cardinals free. Cancel before trial ends if you don’t want to keep it.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. Do I need cable to watch any of these games?

No! Every game tonight is available via streaming services—no cable box required.

2. Can I watch the Raiders vs. Cardinals game on regular ESPN?

No. It’s exclusive to ESPN Unlimited (the paid upgrade tier in the ESPN app).

3. What’s the cheapest way to watch all three NFL Network games tonight?

Start a free trial of YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV—all include NFL Network. Cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to pay.

4. Does NFL+ let me watch games on my TV?

Yes! NFL+ works on smart TVs, streaming sticks (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV), game consoles, phones, tablets, and computers.

5. When does regular-season Thursday Night Football start on Amazon?

Week 2: September 17 – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions. (Preseason on Amazon starts August 27 with Browns vs. Patriots.)

Enjoy the games! Whether you’re scouting rookies, checking out new quarterbacks, or just hungry for football—preseason is officially here. Pick your stream, grab a snack, and happy watching!