The Watch Guide / U.S. national television / 2026 season
Your evenings, accounted for.
Sunday, Monday and Thursday nights are only the beginning. The 2026 NFL calendar also has a Wednesday opener, a Melbourne game on U.S. Thursday night and a holiday stretch that reaches Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Here is the schedule without the scavenger hunt.
All dates and times are Eastern. This is the regular-season evening guide, checked September 2, 2026—not the full national TV schedule or a playoff calendar. The 55 total counts assigned matchups, not the unassigned late-season windows below. Holiday afternoon games are outside this ledger.
Put these on the calendar
Patriots at Seahawks opens the season at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
49ers–Rams starts at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix. In Australia, it is already Friday.
Chiefs at Bills. NBC and Peacock, 8:20 p.m. ET.
Texans–Eagles on Prime Video; Rams–Seahawks on FOX. Both start at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Find your night
Filters apply to the 55 assigned games. A blank result means no currently assigned primetime game matches—not that the team has no games. Matchup links open ESPN’s game listings. Neutral-site games use “vs.” and identify the designated home team.
No assigned primetime games match those filters. Reset the filters or check the unassigned windows below; Week 18 matchups have not been selected.
Week 01
4 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:20 p.m. | Patriots at SeahawksNFL Kickoff · Wednesday opener | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:35 p.m. | 49ers vs. RamsMelbourne · Rams designated home team | Netflix | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Cowboys at GiantsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Broncos at ChiefsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 02
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Lions at BillsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Colts at ChiefsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Giants at RamsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 03
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Falcons at PackersThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Rams at BroncosSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Eagles at BearsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 04
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Steelers at BrownsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Lions at PanthersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Falcons at SaintsMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 05
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Buccaneers at CowboysThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Ravens at FalconsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Bills at RamsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 06
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Seahawks at BroncosThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Cowboys at PackersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Commanders at 49ersMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 07
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Patriots at BearsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Chiefs at SeahawksSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Cowboys at EaglesMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 08
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Panthers at PackersThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Eagles at CommandersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Bears at SeahawksMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 09
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Jaguars at RavensThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Buccaneers at BearsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Bills at VikingsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 10
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Commanders at GiantsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Steelers at BengalsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Chargers at RavensMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 11
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Colts at TexansThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Vikings vs. 49ersMexico City · 49ers designated home team | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Bengals at CommandersMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 12
4 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 p.m.* | Packers at RamsThanksgiving Eve · see kickoff note below | Netflix | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Chiefs at BillsThanksgiving night | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Patriots at ChargersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Panthers at BuccaneersMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 13
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Chiefs at RamsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Texans at SteelersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Cowboys at SeahawksMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 14
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Vikings at PatriotsThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Bills at PackersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Steelers at JaguarsMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 15
4 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | 49ers at ChargersThursday Night Football | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Bears at BillsSaturday night | CBS / Paramount+ | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Lions at VikingsSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Patriots at ChiefsMonday Night Football | ESPN / ABC |
Week 16
4 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Texans at EaglesChristmas Eve | Prime Video | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Rams at SeahawksChristmas night | FOX / FOX One | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Jaguars at CowboysSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Giants at LionsMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Week 17
3 ANNOUNCED MATCHUPS| Date | Time ET | Matchup | TV / stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:15 p.m. | Ravens at BengalsNew Year’s Eve | Prime Video | |
| 8:20 p.m. | Eagles at 49ersSunday Night Football | NBC / Peacock | |
| 8:15 p.m. | Texans at PackersMonday Night Football | ESPN |
Still to be assigned / outside the 55-game count
Leave room at the end
The final weekends are not a finished schedule. These windows remain open; a team’s appearance in a selection pool is not a confirmed primetime booking.
Week 16 · Saturday, Dec. 26
NFL Network doubleheader · matchups and times pending. Two games will be selected from Buccaneers–Falcons, Bengals–Colts, Commanders–Vikings and Panthers–Steelers. ESPN says selections will be announced two weeks before the games. Schedule release ↗
Week 17 · Saturday, Jan. 2
Peacock-exclusive night game · matchup and kickoff TBA. It follows a separate 4:30 p.m. game on NBC/Peacock. The primetime stream is not a nationwide NBC telecast. NBC’s announcement ↗
Week 18 · Saturday, Jan. 9
ESPN / ABC · 8 p.m. ET · matchup TBD. The evening half of the Saturday doubleheader. The day’s 1 p.m. Netflix game and 4:30 p.m. ESPN/ABC game are afternoon broadcasts, not extra primetime entries.
Week 18 · Sunday, Jan. 10
NBC / Peacock · 8:20 p.m. ET · matchup TBD. The regular-season finale is chosen after Week 17. Week 18 timing and selection notes ↗
Before you reach for the remote
Read the network column, not just the weekday. September 10 is on Netflix; Thanksgiving night is on NBC/Peacock. Prime Video carries 15 regular-season Thursday evenings. Its separate Black Friday afternoon game is not in that count.
A simulcast is still one game. ESPN/ABC means the same matchup on both channels. The current listings identify nine Monday ABC simulcasts; ESPN’s season announcement calls for ten, with one additional selection to come. We have not guessed which game it will be. ESPN package details ↗
Flex scheduling can move a game. Sunday-night changes can begin in Week 5; Monday-night flex applies in Weeks 12–17, and Thursday-night flex in Weeks 13–17. Check the linked game listing again near kickoff. League flex rules in the Broncos’ official schedule ↗
Channels and streaming services shown are U.S. national outlets. Local simulcasts, Spanish-language feeds and subscription requirements vary. Canada and other territories have different viewing rights.
Sources & schedule notes
Compiled and edited by The Sporting Page. We checked the full 272-game regular-season dataset from ESPN, selected scheduled evening kickoffs in Eastern time, and cross-checked the announced broadcast packages against rights-holder and club releases. No preseason games, speculative late-season matchups or daytime holiday telecasts are included in the 55-game ledger.
- ESPN: Monday Night Football and NFL Network schedule
- NBCUniversal: Sunday nights, kickoff and late-season windows
- Prime Video: Thursday Night Football schedule
- Netflix: 2026 NFL game schedule
- CBS: 2026 schedule, including Bears–Bills on December 19
- FOX: Christmas night broadcast
- NFL: current league schedule
* Thanksgiving Eve kickoff: The Rams’ own game announcement and ESPN’s current game listing give Packers at Rams as 8 p.m. ET on November 25. Netflix’s September 1 overview still marks the time TBA. We show the club-confirmed time and flag that discrepancy here.
Two listing checks: September 21 is Giants at Rams, confirmed by the Giants’ official schedule; an ABC overview names the Chargers instead. For October 26, the Eagles’ current schedule and ESPN data list ESPN/ABC, so both appear in the ledger.
About the reporting: This is a researched viewing guide, not an interview-based story or a live-updating feed. Assigned games and network details reflect the September 2 check; late-season selections and flex changes may alter them. The cover is a TSP editorial illustration of Tom Brady with a remote and television—an imagined scene, not a photograph.
