When Do NFL Preseason Games Begin?

Find out when the NFL preseason games begin so that you can start planning your football-filled weekends!

When Do NFL Preseason Games Begin?

NFL preseason games begin in early August, with the first full week of games taking place Aug. 8-10. Most teams play four preseason games, with two at home and two on the road.

How to Watch NFL Preseason Games

NFL preseason games give fans a chance to see their favorite teams and players in action before the start of the regular season. The preseason also gives coaches and front office personnel a chance to evaluate talent and make roster decisions. You can watch NFL preseason games on TV or via live stream.

Local Broadcast

Local preseason games are typically shown on the same channel that airs the team’s regular season games. For example, if you’re a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, you would likely watch the team’s preseason games on KDKA, the local CBS affiliate. The game will also be available on cable and satellite providers in the region.

To find out what channel your local preseason game will be on, consult your local TV listings or visit the website of your preferred provider. You can also check the NFL website closer to game time for a full schedule of preseason games and TV listings.

National Broadcast

If you want to watch NFL preseason games on TV, then you have a few different options. If you have a cable or satellite TV package, then you can likely watch most preseason games on your local channels. If you live in an area where the NFL Network is available, then you can watch all preseason games on that channel. Finally, if you have an Internet connection, you can stream all preseason games live on NFL Game Pass.

Here is the complete NFL preseason schedule, with start times and TV info for all games.

Online and Mobile

You can watch all NFL preseason games online or on your mobile device with a subscription to fuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or AT&T TV NOW. You can also sign up for a free trial of one of these streaming services and cancel before you’re charged if you only want to watch preseason games and don’t want to keep the service.

What to Expect from NFL Preseason Games

NFL preseason games give fans a chance to see their favorite teams and players back in action. However, these games are different from the regular season games in a few ways. For one, the preseason games are used to help coaches determine which players will make the final cut for the roster. This means that you may see some players who are fighting for a spot on the team playing more than the starters.

Rosters

During the preseason, NFL teams are allowed to carry up to 90 players on their roster. However, they must trim down to 53 players by the end of preseason.

The NFL preseason is used as a time for coaches to figure out who will be the best 52 or 53 players to keep on the roster for regular season games. Many of the starters (first string) will play for only a few series or even just a couple of quarters in order to avoid injuries. The majority of the game will be played by second and third string players who are vying for a spot on the team.

For fans, this can mean that the level of play isn’t always up to par with what they’re used to seeing during the regular season. Additionally, because so many different players are playing, it can be hard to keep track of who’s who.

Starters

The NFL preseason is a time when starters see very little playing time. In fact, most starters don’t play at all in the first preseason game and see limited action in the second and third games. The fourth game is generally when starters see the most playing time as they prepare for the regular season.

This limited playing time for starters means that NFL preseason games are often not very exciting. However, there are still some things that fans can look forward to seeing. First, it’s a chance to see the new players that have been drafted or signed as free agents. It’s also a chance to see how players are adjusting to new roles on the team. Finally, it’s a chance to see how well the team is working together before the regular season starts.

Playing Time

In the NFL, the preseason is used to evaluate players and give them a chance to show their skills on the field. Preseason games are exhibition games and don’t count towards the regular season standings. Because of this, coaches will often use the preseason to play younger or less experienced players.

Playing time in preseason games is different than during the regular season. During the regular season, starters will often play the entire first half and maybe into the third quarter. In preseason games, starters will usually only play for a series or two before being replaced by backups. This gives coaches a chance to see how well players perform in game situations.

It’s important to remember that NFL preseason games are not always played at full speed. Players are still learning plays and getting used to playing with each other. As a result, there may be more mistakes and penalties than during the regular season. But preseasons games are still a great way to see your favorite team and players in action!