Is Monday Night Football on Tonight? 2024 Schedule, Times & Channels
Your Complete Guide to Monday Night Football 2026: Schedule, Streaming, and Big NFL News
Welcome to your one-stop shop for everything Monday Night Football (MNF) in the 2026 season! Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just trying to figure out why everyone is yelling at their TV on Monday nights, we’ve got you covered. We’ll break down the big Cleveland Browns news, the preseason schedule, the full MNF lineup, and exactly how to watch it all—no cable required.
Big News: The Cleveland Browns Pick Their Starting Quarterback
ELI5 Alert: A Quarterback (QB) is the leader of the offense. They throw the ball, hand it off, and make the big decisions on the field. Picking the "starter" means choosing who gets to play the most important position from the very first game.
The Cleveland Browns made a major announcement: Deshaun Watson will be their starting Quarterback for Week 1 of the regular season (their first game that counts for real) against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Here’s the scoop:
- The Competition: Watson beat out Shedeur Sanders, a younger, second-year player, for the job.
- The Drama: Watson struggled during the preseason (practice games that don’t count). During a home game against the Buffalo Bills, the crowd actually booed him.
- The Backstory: Watson is a "controversial signal-caller" (fancy talk for a QB with off-field legal issues), which adds extra tension to the decision.
Bottom line: The Browns are betting on the veteran Watson to lead them to wins, despite the noise.
What’s Happening This Week? (The Final Preseason Games)
ELI5 Alert: The Preseason is like scrimmage or practice games before the real season starts. Teams use them to test players and decide who makes the final roster. They don’t count toward wins/losses.
There are no Monday Night Football games during the preseason. But if you’re itching for football, the third and final week of preseason starts Thursday, August 27. Here’s the lineup:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 27 | Pittsburgh Steelers @ Buffalo Bills | 7:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Thu, Aug 27 | New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns | 8:00 PM | Prime Video |
| Thu, Aug 27 | San Francisco 49ers @ Las Vegas Raiders | 8:00 PM | ESPN Unlimited |
| Thu, Aug 27 | Los Angeles Rams @ Los Angeles Chargers | 10:00 PM | NFL Network |
| Fri, Aug 28 | 10 Games! (Incl. Bengals @ Eagles Primetime) | Various | CBS / Local |
| Sun, Aug 29 | Final 2 Preseason Games | Various | Various |
Important Callout: There is NO Monday Night Football on tonight (August 24) or any Monday during the preseason. The real Monday magic starts in September!
When Does Monday Night Football Actually Start?
Mark your calendars! The first regular-season Monday Night Football game kicks off on:
Monday, September 14, 2026
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
8:15 PM ET
Channels: ESPN, ABC, and NFL+ (streaming)
Why this game? The Chiefs are perennial Super Bowl contenders, and the Broncos are looking to bounce back. It’s a division rivalry (AFC West) to start the season with a bang!
The Full 2026 Monday Night Football Schedule
All games start at 8:15 PM ET and air on ESPN & ABC (unless noted as ESPN only). You can also stream every game on NFL+.
| Week | Date | Matchup | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon, Sep 14 | Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs | ESPN / ABC |
| 2 | Mon, Sep 21 | New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams | ESPN / ABC |
| 3 | Mon, Sep 28 | Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears | ESPN / ABC |
| 4 | Mon, Oct 5 | Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints | ESPN |
| 5 | Mon, Oct 12 | Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams | ESPN / ABC |
| 6 | Mon, Oct 19 | Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers | ESPN / ABC |
| 7 | Mon, Oct 26 | Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles | ESPN / ABC |
| 8 | Mon, Nov 2 | Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks | ESPN / ABC |
| 9 | Mon, Nov 9 | Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings | ESPN / ABC |
| 10 | Mon, Nov 16 | Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens | ESPN / ABC |
| 11 | Mon, Nov 23 | Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders | ESPN |
| 12 | Mon, Nov 30 | Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ESPN |
| 13 | Mon, Dec 7 | Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks | ESPN / ABC |
| 14 | Mon, Dec 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars | ESPN / ABC |
| 15 | Mon, Dec 21 | New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs | ESPN / ABC |
| 16 | Mon, Dec 28 | New York Giants @ Detroit Lions | ESPN |
| 17 | Mon, Jan 4 | Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers | ESPN |
Note: Bold team = Home team. Weeks 11, 12, 16, 17 are on ESPN only (not ABC).
How to Watch Monday Night Football Without Cable
ELI5 Alert: Cord-cutting means watching TV without a traditional cable box. You use apps and internet services instead.
You have two main paths:
Path 1: You Have a Cable Login (Easy!)
If you (or a generous family member) pay for cable, just log in to:
- The ESPN App / Website
- The ABC App / Website (abc.com/watch-live)
Path 2: You Need a Live TV Streaming Service (Best for Cord-Cutters)
These services act like cable but stream over the internet. All offer free trials for new users!
| Service | Key Perk | Free Trial? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV (Top Pick) | Flexible "Genre Packs" (pick only sports channels!); 5-Day Free Trial | 5 Days | $19.99/mo (Sports Pack) |
| Fubo | Built for sports fans; tons of channels | Yes | ~$79.99/mo |
| Hulu + Live TV | Includes Disney+ & ESPN+; huge on-demand library | Yes | ~$76.99/mo |
| YouTube TV | Unlimited DVR; great interface | Yes | ~$72.99/mo |
| Sling TV | Cheapest entry point (Orange + Blue) | No | ~$55/mo |
| NFL+ | League’s official app; watch on phone/tablet only (mostly) | No | ~$29.99/yr (Premium) |
Pro Tip: DIRECTV is highlighted because their Genre Packs let you pay only for sports channels (starting at $19.99/month) instead of a massive bundle. Plus, that 5-day free trial lets you test drive Week 1 risk-free!
Summary: Your Monday Night Game Plan
- Preseason is ending: Catch the final games Thu Aug 27 – Sun Aug 29.
- MNF starts Sept 14: Chiefs vs. Broncos kicks off the real deal.
- Browns roll with Watson: Deshaun Watson is the Week 1 starter in Jacksonville.
- No Cable? No Problem: Use DIRECTV (5-day free trial), Fubo, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV to stream ESPN/ABC live.
- Phone/Tablet Only? NFL+ is your cheapest dedicated option.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Is Monday Night Football on tonight (August 24)?
Nope! There are zero MNF games during the preseason. The next live NFL games are the preseason finales starting Thursday, August 27.
2. Can I watch Monday Night Football for free?
Yes, temporarily. Services like DIRECTV (5 days), Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials for new subscribers. You can sign up for Week 1, watch the game, and cancel before you’re charged if you want.
3. What channel is Monday Night Football on?
It airs on ESPN and ABC simultaneously (simulcast) for most weeks. Weeks 4, 11, 12, 16, and 17 are on ESPN only.
4. What is NFL+ and is it different?
NFL+ is the NFL’s own streaming service. The Premium tier (~$30/season) lets you watch live local and primetime games (like MNF) on your phone or tablet. It generally does not support casting to a TV (like Roku, Fire Stick, or Smart TV). For the big screen, use a Live TV streaming service (DIRECTV, YouTube TV, etc.).
5. Why did the Browns pick Watson over Sanders if fans booed him?
NFL coaches prioritize experience and perceived "ceiling" (highest potential) over fan reaction. Watson has been a top-tier QB in the past. The coaching staff believes he gives them the best chance to win now, even with the off-field controversy and preseason struggles.