Football Today NFL: Preseason Week 1 Schedule, TV Channels, And Live Streaming Guide

The wait is officially over for gridiron fans as football today NFL action makes its highly anticipated return for the 2026 preseason. Tonight, August 13, 2026, marks the kickoff of a packed slate of matchups where rookies, roster-bubble players, and newly acquired veterans take the field to secure their spots on the final 53-man rosters. Whether you are tracking first-round draft picks or scouting your fantasy football sleepers, tonight's games offer the first real glimpse of the 2026 season's competitive landscape.

Position Battles and Rookie Debuts Lighting Up the Gridiron

Preseason football in mid-August is defined by high-stakes depth chart competition. While established superstars typically play only a series or two—or sit out entirely to avoid unnecessary injury risk—the intensity on the field remains incredibly high. Coaching staffs are looking closely at positional depth execution, special teams viability, and how well new offensive and defensive schemes are being absorbed under live-game conditions.

The primary storyline tonight centers around the 2026 rookie quarterback class. For many of these young signal-callers, tonight is their first opportunity to command an NFL huddle in a real stadium environment. Defensive coordinators will test them with complex pressure packages, making these opening possessions critical for their developmental confidence. Additionally, veteran players on short-term contracts are fighting to prove they still belong in the rotation, adding a layer of desperation to every single snap.

How to Stream and Watch Tonight's NFL Action

Navigating broadcast schedules during the NFL preseason can be challenging due to local blackout restrictions and split regional coverage. Fortunately, football fans have several reliable viewing options to catch every live snap tonight.

• National Broadcasts: Selected high-profile games are broadcast nationwide on NFL Network and ESPN.
• Local Affiliates: If you live in the home market of a participating team, local CBS, FOX, NBC, or ABC affiliates will carry the game.
• NFL+ Streaming: The league's official streaming service, NFL+, offers live out-of-market preseason games on mobile devices and tablets.
• Live TV Streaming Services: Cord-cutters can access local broadcasts and sports networks via subscription platforms like FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.

Always double-check your local listings, as regional affiliate broadcast rights take precedence over national cable feeds in home markets.

The Road to the 2026 Regular Season Kickoff

Tonight’s games represent just the first phase of a grueling three-week preseason stretch. Over the next fortnight, franchises will transition from generic training camp practices to intense joint practices and simulated game weeks. This progression helps coaching staffs trim their active rosters down to the mandatory 53-player limit by the end of August.

Once the preseason wraps up, the focus shifts entirely to the official 2026 NFL Regular Season opener scheduled for early September. The lessons learned, mistakes corrected, and standout performances put on tape tonight will directly shape the strategies teams employ when the games start counting toward the standings. Keep your eyes on the unsung heroes of tonight's matchups, as they often become the crucial depth pieces that make or break a championship run.