Every year, watching football seems to get more and more complicated. This season, NFL games will air across many channels, including NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN. The good news? All of those channels are included in DIRECTV’s Choice, Ultimate and Premier Packages, which means you can watch nearly every game this season in one place.
While some NFL games are exclusive to streaming platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and Peacock, there’s more good news; if you sign up for DIRECTV’s App + Device plan, which includes a DIRECTV Gemini device, you’ll be able to link those services, and any other third-party streamer you use, and watch them from within the DIRECTV platform. That means you can watch every in-market and national NFL game of the season, all linked to one service, no toggling between inputs or remotes.
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The 18-week regular 2026 NFL season schedule has already been released, and pre-season games begin in just a couple of weeks, so now is the time to get all your ducks in a row when it comes to your streaming subscriptions and access to every channel and streaming service you’ll need to tune in. Here’s what you need to know to watch the 2026-27 NFL season with a DIRECTV App + Device package so you won’t miss a thing.
How to watch the 2026 NFL season with DIRECTV:
Dates: Sept. 9, 2026 – Feb. 14, 2027
TV channels: ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, and NFL Network
Streaming: DIRECTV App + Device
How to watch NFL games with DIRECTV in 2026
Most NFL games are broadcast nationally or in local markets on NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS, or on ESPN or NFL Network, all of which are available with a DIRECTV’s Choice, Ultimate and Premier packages, so you can watch all of the games on these channels on one service.
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A subscription to DIRECTV gets you access to most services broadcasting games this season, with a few exceptions. Some NFL games, including Thursday Night Football games that stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, certain holiday games on Netflix, and select matchups streaming exclusively on Peacock, are only available on these other streaming platforms.
If you sign up for a Gemini streaming device, which is only available through DIRECTV, you’ll be able to consolidate your DIRECTV channels and any third-party services so that you can watch every game in one place. Gemini allows users to access live TV and thousands of streaming apps (including Netflix, Peacock, Prime Video, and more) all from within the DIRECTV experience without switching inputs or remotes. That means every game, all in one place.
(Just note that separate subscriptions to these services are required and are not part of DirecTV’s streaming plans.)
Why we love DIRECTV:
As Yahoo Tech writes: DIRECTV is the polished and likable cable alternative that cord-cutters have been searching for. Miss flipping through endless channels on the hunt for a gem to tune into? DIRECTV’s got one of the best channel guides out there. And in terms of content diversity, DIRECTV has you covered there too, with packages ranging from hyper-specific Genre Packs for sports fans and reality TV zealots to full-coverage options for TV fans who want it all. Sports fans, meanwhile, will appreciate that ESPN Unlimited is included with many DIRECTV plans. And don’t worry about missing your favorite shows, either: In addition to live channels, DIRECTV offers a full range of on-demand programming and unlimited DVR. That’s why we called DIRECTV the best cable TV replacement in the streaming world.
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2026 NFL Week 1 Schedule:
Week 1 of the NFL season will open with a home game for last year’s Super Bowl teams, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. The opening game of the 2026 NFL season will air nationally on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET. Spanish coverage of the game will air on Telemundo and Universo. These channels and many more are all available with a DIRECTV plan.
NFL 2026 season Week 1 schedule:
All times Eastern
Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
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New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks: 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
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