Scattered kickoff times. Buried TV listings. Conflicting streaming info. You miss the very snaps you wanted to scout.
Stop chasing fragments. This pillar page gives you the single source for every 2025 NFL preseason game, broadcast, and score. Bookmark it — all schedule grids, viewing options, and fast answers live right here.
What Is the NFL Preseason and Why It Matters
The NFL preseason is a four‑week exhibition schedule where all 32 clubs fine‑tune rosters, evaluate new talent, and test systems before the regular season. Wins and losses carry zero weight in the standings, yet the games shape who makes the final 53‑man roster.
Front offices and coaches treat every snap as a live audition. Rookie quarterbacks take their first pro hits. Undrafted free agents fight for a practice‑squad spot. Veterans shake off rust. You see schemes that will define September and beyond — without the risk that comes with Week 1 intensity.
This period also gives fans the earliest look at draft classes, free‑agent signings, and coordinator changes. Paying attention to the NFL preseason helps you spot breakout players long before fantasy drafts heat up.
When Does NFL Preseason Start in 2025?
Mark Thursday, August 1, 2025, on your calendar. That evening the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, officially opens the 2025 NFL preseason. The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans face off in a nationally televised contest (ESPN/ABC).
The full league‑wide NFL preseason schedule kicks off Thursday, August 7, and runs through Sunday, August 31. Every team plays three exhibition contests, except the two Hall of Fame participants, who get a fourth game.
Key start windows:
- Hall of Fame Game: August 1, 2025
- Preseason Week 1: August 7‑11, 2025
- Final preseason weekend: August 28‑31, 2025
(All dates subject to minor adjustment; always confirm times on NFL.com.)
NFL Preseason Schedule 2025: Week‑by‑Week Breakdown
Below is the complete 2025 NFL preseason schedule with highlighted national TV windows. Use the table to plan your viewing around marquee matchups and rookie debuts.
Week 1 – August 7–11, 2025
| Date(s) | Featured Prime‑Time Matchup (National TV) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 7 | Detroit Lions at New York Giants | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 9 | Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams | NFL Network |
| Sun, Aug 10 | Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals | NFL Network |
All 32 teams play one game during Week 1; local broadcasts air on preseason TV partners.
Week 2 – August 14–18, 2025
| Date(s) | Featured Prime‑Time Matchup (National TV) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 14 | Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens | ESPN |
| Sat, Aug 16 | Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals | NFL Network |
| Mon, Aug 18 | Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets | ESPN |
Week 3 – August 21–25, 2025
Often called the “dress rehearsal” week, starters see their heaviest action.
| Date(s) | Featured Prime‑Time Matchup (National TV) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 21 | San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas Raiders | FOX |
| Sat, Aug 23 | Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills | NFL Network |
| Sun, Aug 24 | Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos | NFL Network |
Week 4 – August 28–31, 2025
Final roster auditions. Most regulars sit; depth charts get decided here.
| Date(s) | Featured Prime‑Time Matchup (National TV) | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 28 | Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | NFL Network |
| Sat, Aug 30 | Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings | NFL Network |
(Source: NFL.com official 2025 preseason central, cross‑checked with team media releases.)
How to Watch NFL Preseason Games: TV Channels and Streaming
Watching every NFL preseason game requires a mix of national networks, local affiliates, and the league’s own streaming platform.
National Television
- NFL Network – Carries a large package of live and re‑aired preseason contests, including the majority of Week 1‑3 Saturday windows.
- ESPN/ABC – Broadcasts the Hall of Fame Game and select Monday night exhibitions.
- FOX, NBC, CBS – Air a limited number of prime‑time preseason matchups, often involving their Sunday‑afternoon partner teams.
- Amazon Prime Video – Streams a Thursday night preseason game in Week 2 or 3 (exact assignment announced in June).
Streaming Without Cable
- NFL+ – The league’s subscription service offers live out‑of‑market preseason games on phones and tablets. The premium tier adds full game replays across devices.
- YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV – Carry NFL Network, ESPN, FOX, NBC, and CBS in most markets; ideal for cord‑cutters.
- Team Apps & Websites – Many clubs simulcast local preseason broadcasts for free within their home market.
For any nfl preseason games today, open the NFL app or your streaming guide — the live listings update instantly.
NFL Preseason Games Today: Where to Find Live Action
When you ask “what nfl preseason games are on today,” the answer lives in three places:
- NFL.com/schedule – Official hub with kickoff times, TV networks, and live scoreboards.
- Your cable/satellite guide – Filter by “NFL preseason” to surface every broadcast.
- NFL+ or streaming service search – Type “NFL” into the sports category.
If you want real‑time alerts, enable push notifications inside the NFL app. You will get a ping 30 minutes before kickoff for every game you select as a favorite.
NFL Preseason Scores and Results
Scores do not count toward playoff seeding, but they often reveal which units are gelling early. ESPN and NFL.com post box scores minutes after each quarter ends.
How to Check NFL Preseason Scores Fast
- NFL.com/scores – Click the preseason tab for final, live, and upcoming scores.
- ESPN app – Scores tab, pick “NFL,” toggle to preseason.
- TheScore, Yahoo Sports – Aggregate every nfl preseason score with drive summaries.
Sample 2024 NFL Preseason Scores (for context)
| Week | Notable Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chiefs at Jaguars | 26‑13, Chiefs |
| 2 | Bears vs. Bengals | 27‑20, Bears |
| 3 | Browns at Seahawks | 33‑32, Browns |
In 2025, follow the same pattern: scores post quickly, and NFL Network’s Preseason HQ show recaps every game within an hour of the final whistle.
NFL Preseason Standings: Do They Matter?
You will never find an official NFL preseason standings table on the league website. The NFL does not track exhibition records, crown a preseason champion, or use exhibition results for anything competitive.
What does matter is performance in specific situations — red‑zone efficiency, third‑down defense, and turnover margin. Analysts and bettors track these underlying numbers because they often foreshadow regular‑season success. Pay attention to those metrics, not the win‑loss columns.
When a site lists “nfl preseason standings,” it is usually an unofficial fan page or a sportsbook ranking teams by perceived sharpness. Bookmark the film, ignore the record.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Highlights and Storylines
The opening slate of the NFL preseason delivers more excitement than typical exhibition football. Here is what to watch during Week 1 (August 7‑11, 2025):
- Rookie QB Debuts: First‑round passers will take their initial snaps. Expect vanilla playbooks, but footwork and pocket presence show early.
- Joint Practice Fallout: Several clubs hold combined practices beforehand; the game tests whether that work transfers to live tackling.
- Special Teams Battles: Kick‑return reps under the new kickoff rules get real‑time evaluation.
- Offensive Line Juggling: Coaches mix rotations constantly, looking for chemistry in the trenches.
Make a checklist of position battles you care about. The first nfl preseason game for your team often reveals who leads in the depth‑chart race.
Full NFL Preseason TV Schedule 2025: Every Nationally Televised Game
This compact list pulls every confirmed national preseason broadcast into one view. Bookmark it for fast reference when you want to know the NFL preseason TV schedule.
| Date | Time (ET) | Away – Home | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1 | 8:00 PM | Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans (HOF) | ESPN/ABC |
| Aug 7 | 7:00 PM | Detroit Lions at N.Y. Giants | NFL Network |
| Aug 9 | 9:00 PM | Dallas Cowboys at L.A. Rams | NFL Network |
| Aug 10 | 1:00 PM | Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati | NFL Network |
| Aug 14 | 7:30 PM | Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore | ESPN |
| Aug 16 | 8:00 PM | Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona | NFL Network |
| Aug 18 | 8:00 PM | Atlanta Falcons at N.Y. Jets | ESPN |
| Aug 21 | 8:00 PM | San Francisco 49ers at Las Vegas | FOX |
| Aug 23 | 4:00 PM | Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo | NFL Network |
| Aug 24 | 4:00 PM | Green Bay Packers at Denver | NFL Network |
| Aug 28 | 7:30 PM | Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay | NFL Network |
| Aug 30 | 8:00 PM | Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota | NFL Network |
All listings confirmed via NFL media distribution announcements. Local blackout rules may apply; check your zip code on NFL.com.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Game: The Preseason Opener
The Hall of Fame Game is a standalone event that kicks off the entire NFL preseason. The 2025 edition pits the Chicago Bears against the Houston Texans on August 1 in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Both clubs gain an extra preseason contest, meaning their coaching staffs get four evaluation games instead of three.
Beyond the matchup, Enshrinement Weekend draws thousands of fans to Canton for ceremonies honoring the newest Hall of Fame class. Expect shorter playing time for established stars — but plenty of reps for rookies and camp invites.
How NFL Teams Use the Preseason to Build Their Rosters
Every snap in the NFL preseason feeds the decision‑making process that ends with the 53‑man deadline. Here is the typical rhythm:
- Game 1 (Week 1): Starters play one or two series. Heavy rotation among second‑ and third‑stringers.
- Game 2 (Week 2): First units see about a quarter of action. Position battles intensify.
- Game 3 (Week 3): The closest thing to a dress rehearsal. Starters often play into the third quarter.
- Game 4 (Week 4): Regulars sit. Bubble players get the entire game to make a final impression.
Cut‑down dates matter just as much. In 2025, rosters trim from 90 to 53 in a single deadline on August 29 (subject to league confirmation). After that, the practice squad construction begins immediately.
Key Dates: NFL Preseason Start, End, and Roster Deadlines
Print this timeline:
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | August 1 |
| Preseason Week 1 begins | August 7 |
| Preseason Week 4 ends | August 31 |
| Roster cut‑down to 53 players | August 29 (approx.) |
| Practice squad formation | August 30–31 |
Using this calendar, you can map every NFL preseason stage from the opening kickoff to the final waiver claim.
Preseason Betting and Fantasy Football Considerations
Sportsbooks post lines on every nfl preseason game, but handle them cautiously. Coaches care far more about evaluation than winning. A third‑quarter preseason score can flip rapidly when fourth‑stringers enter.
For fantasy football, target players climbing depth charts. Training camp reports and preseason usage — red‑zone targets, early‑down snaps — signal under‑the‑radar value. Watch the nfl preseason games closely to find next‑to‑free sleepers before your draft.
NFL Preseason FAQs
When does the NFL preseason start?
The 2025 NFL preseason starts August 1 with the Hall of Fame Game. The full league schedule begins August 7.
How can I watch nfl preseason games without cable?
NFL+ streams out‑of‑market preseason games live on mobile devices. Live TV streaming services like YouTube TV and FuboTV carry NFL Network, ESPN, and local channels that broadcast preseason contests.
Do nfl preseason standings matter?
No. The NFL does not keep official preseason standings. Coaches evaluate execution, not wins.
Where can I find nfl preseason games today?
Check NFL.com/schedule, your TV provider’s guide, or the NFL app. All three update in real time with kickoff and network details.
How long is the NFL preseason?
Each team plays three exhibition games over four weeks. The Hall of Fame participants play four games. The full preseason spans from early August through the final weekend before Labor Day.
When is the 2025 nfl preseason schedule released?
The official 2025 NFL preseason schedule was released in May 2025. Game dates, times, and national TV assignments are now confirmed.
Keep Every Snap on Your Radar
The NFL preseason is your earliest window into the new season. Rookie revelations, scheme shifts, and roster surprises all start here. Bookmark this guide, pair it with the NFL app, and you will have every kickoff time, channel, and score before anyone else in your group chat. When the next wave of nfl preseason games arrives, you will already know exactly where to turn.
