The 2026 NFL preseason kicks off Thursday, August 6 with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, marking the official return of professional football after a long summer that included the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For all 32 teams, this three-week exhibition window is the proving ground where roster spots are won, rookies make first impressions, and quarterback competitions begin to tilt one direction or another.
The regular season opens Wednesday, September 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on NBC — a rematch of Super Bowl LX. But before any of that matters, every team must navigate the preseason gauntlet. Here is the full 2026 NFL preseason schedule, including TV information and the games worth circling on your calendar.
Hall of Fame Game: Where It All Begins
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals meet Thursday, August 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. NBC and Peacock carry the broadcast. The game serves as the centerpiece of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend, with the Class of 2026 — headlined by Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly — officially inducted two days later on August 8.
Dave Canales enters his third season as Panthers head coach looking to build continuity, while Mike LaFleur makes his head coaching debut for the Cardinals. Neither team is likely to play starters beyond a series or two, but the game carries symbolic weight as the league’s first live action since February.
Preseason Week 1: August 13–15
Week 1 spreads 16 games across three days. Thursday night features six matchups including Detroit at Cincinnati (7:00 p.m. ET) and Green Bay at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m.). Friday brings Denver at Atlanta, Tampa Bay at the New York Jets, and Miami at Washington — all at 7:00 p.m. Saturday is the busiest day with seven games, capped by Dallas at Seattle (8:00 p.m.) and Philadelphia at Baltimore (7:00 p.m.).
The Lions-Bengals opener carries extra intrigue: Detroit’s retooled offensive line — featuring first-round pick Francis Mauigoa — gets its first live test against a Cincinnati defense that ranked in the top third of the league in pressure rate last season.
Preseason Week 2: August 20–23
The national TV spotlight shifts to ESPN on Thursday, August 20, when the Las Vegas Raiders visit the Houston Texans at 8:00 p.m. ET. This game could feature the debut of Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, in an extended role. Sunday’s national window belongs to FOX, with Seattle visiting Tennessee at 8:00 p.m. ET on August 23.
Week 2 is traditionally the “dress rehearsal” week — the game where starters play the most snaps, often into the third quarter. Kansas City hosts Tampa Bay on Saturday, August 22 (7:30 p.m.), a matchup that will offer the first real glimpse of Patrick Mahomes following his ACL recovery.
Preseason Week 3: August 27–29
The final week is all about roster decisions. Starters rarely play more than a series, if at all. Thursday night (August 27) features New England at Cleveland on Prime Video (8:00 p.m. ET) — a game that could determine the Browns’ starting quarterback between Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders. Friday’s CBS broadcast (Cincinnati at Philadelphia, 8:00 p.m.) wraps the national TV schedule.
By Saturday, August 29, every team must submit its 53-man roster. The cuts come fast. For hundreds of players, the final preseason game is the last chance to put anything on film.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Preseason
The NFL preseason is distributed across five broadcast partners: NBC (including Peacock) carries the Hall of Fame Game and Sunday Night Football preseason editions. ESPN has Thursday night Week 2. FOX has the Sunday Week 2 window. Prime Video streams Thursday night Week 3. CBS handles the Friday night Week 3 finale. Local preseason games are typically carried by each team’s regional broadcast partner.
For out-of-market viewing, NFL+ Premium provides live access to all preseason games across devices. International viewers should check local listings, as broadcast rights vary significantly by region.
The 2026 preseason runs shorter than most — just three weeks plus the Hall of Fame Game — reflecting the compressed calendar created by the World Cup. Teams reported to training camp later than usual in mid-to-late July. The first cuts will feel fast. The season opener on September 9 will feel faster.