NFL Preseason 2025: Here’s How to Watch NFL Games Live Online Without Cable

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The 2025 NFL preseason kicks off with the Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, Aug. 7.

NFL teams are in the final stages of setting rosters and getting players ready for the 2025-26 regular season, which starts on Thursday, Sept. 4. Check out the complete 2025 NFL preseason schedule here.

At a Glance: Watch the 2025 NFL Preseason Online

If you’re looking for ways to watch NFL preseason games online without cable, read on below.

How to Watch NFL Preseason Without Cable: Stream Online Free

Cable subscribers can watch the NFL preseason on TV across NFL Network, ESPN, CBS and Fox. Cord-cutters can stream the games on web-based streaming cable services, like DirecTV, which offers a free trial. In addition, games are available to stream on NFL+, Prime Video and Paramount+.

Below, keep reading for the best online TV streaming services and video-on-demand platforms that give you a front-row seat to the NFL.

Editors’ Choice

DirecTV

Watch the 2025 NFL preseason with DirecTV, which carries NFL Network, ESPN, CBS and Fox, along with more than 90 other channels — such as NBC, AMC, Bravo, CNBC, Disney Channel, Fox Sports, Lifetime, History Channel, HGTV, FanDuel TV, Cooking Channel and others.

The streamer has a free five-day trial available so you can stream NFL games and more. Packages start as low as $54.99 for the first month of service for the Choice package ($89.99 per month afterward).

A great way to watch NFL preseason games online is through Fubo, which starts at $54.99 for the first month ($84.99 per month thereafter) for more than 230 channels, including NFL Network, ESPN, CBS and Fox. You can also record over 1,000 hours of TV shows, movies, games and more. Eligible new subscribers can also stream NFL games for free with Fubo’s five-day trial.

best streaming bundle

Hulu + Live TV

A subscription to Hulu + Live TV is one of the best streaming services for watching NFL preseason games on NFL Network, ESPN, CBS and Fox. The cable streamer carries over 90 live channels starting at $82.99 per month with ads and includes Hulu’s entire streaming library, Disney+ and ESPN+. Hulu offers a three-day free trial to try before you buy a monthly subscription.

Best wallet-Friendly

Sling

Sling TV is one of the cheapest options for new live TV streaming subscribers who want to watch NFL preseason games on NFL Network, ESPN and Fox. For new and eligible subscribers, the Sling Orange + Blue plan is on sale for up to half off for the first month. The plan includes channels, like Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, CNN, Fox News, TNT, TBS, Bravo, FreeForm, QVC, MSNBC and much more. Please note: Prices and channel availability depend on your location and TV market.

Best for Thursday Night Football

Prime Video

Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football games throughout the preseason. New subscribers can get a free 30-day trial for Prime Video, Amazon’s standalone streaming service that auto-renews at $8.99 per month.

Get even more benefits with Amazon Prime for $14.99 per month ($139 per year, a nearly 25 percent savings compared to monthly billing) and get access to Prime Video, Prime Gaming and Amazon Music Prime;as well as fast free shipping on most items sold from the online retailer with Prime delivery, in-store discounts at Whole Foods Market, access to exclusive shopping events — like Prime Day and Black Friday — and much more.

best for NFL ON CBS

Paramount+

Watch NFL on CBS games for free with a seven-day trial to Paramount+, which offers CBS and CBS Sports Network during the 2025 NFL preseason. Paramount+ is $7.99 per month for the basic ad-supported Essential plan or $12.99 monthly for the Paramount+ Premium package. Save 16 percent when you sign up for an annual package ($60 or $120 per year, respectively).

Best For Die-Hard NFL Fans

NFL+

NFL+ is the football league’s own streaming service. It gets you the most comprehensive coverage online. Starting at $6.99 per month (or $49.99 per year), the service offers live out-of-market preseason games, live local and primetime regular season and postseason games — including playoff games, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl — local and national radio game broadcasts, the NFL Network and the NFL Films archive.

If you want more NFL action, NFL+ Premium has everything NFL+ offers, but also full game replays, condensed game replays, coaches’ films and NFL Red Zone for $14.99 per month (or $99.99 per year).

How to Watch NFL Preseason with Cable

The NFL preseason games are broadcast on NFL Network, ESPN, CBS and Fox in the U.S. You can watch those channels online on their respective websites by logging in with your cable TV provider account, including traditional and streaming services such as DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Verizon, Xfinity and others.

Where to Buy NFL Tickets Online

Want to watch NFL preseason games in person? Tickets are available for the NFL preseason at StubHub, Ticket Liquidator, Ticketmaster and GameTime — prices depend on the city and seat location. For more info, visit NFL.com.

One of the best deals on last-minute tickets right now is at Ticket Network, which offers THR readers $150 off orders of $500 with promo code THR150 or $300 off $1,000 and up with code THR300.

Meanwhile, other deals on tickets can be found at Vivid Seats, where you can save $20 with code THR30; or at SeatGeek where you can use promo code HOLLYWOOD10 to save $10 on eligible purchases of $250 and up.