How to Live Stream NFL Preseason Games With a VPN

The long offseason, NFL draft, and training camp are finally over, and it’s time to watch NFL football. The new 3-game preseason schedule can help you draft your fantasy football team, and allows you to learn about your favorite NFL team on the field. You can watch rookies and new acquisitions to see how they fit, and whether they’ll increase your team’s odds to win the Super Bowl. Follow the guide below to find out how you can watch the NFL preseason, and why PIA VPN is the best VPN for NFL fans.

When Does the NFL Preseason Start

This year’s NFL preseason starts with the Hall of Fame Game on August 1, 2024 with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans. The NFL preseason traditionally begins at the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio and closes out a weeklong ceremony celebrating the new Hall of Fame inductees and the past legends of the gridiron.

How to Watch the NFL Preseason in the US

The majority of NFL preseason games are shown on the team’s local TV affiliate which you can watch for free. If you don’t have a TV with an antenna, you may be able to watch them on DirecTV Stream, because it offers local CBS and FOX channels in most markets.

Every NFL preseason game will air on the NFL Network, with 21 live broadcasts and the rest on tape delay. Week 1 has 7 matchups, starting on Thursday, August 8 with a game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. In weeks 2 and 3, NFL Network will show quadruple headers, with games at 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.

If you don’t have cable, you can get the NFL Network through an NFL+ subscription, or watch on a streaming provider like Sling TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV.

How to Watch Out-of-Market NFL Preseason Games

You can watch most out-of-market preseason games on the NFL+ app – the only exceptions are games on national TV. If a game is blacked out on the app because you’re traveling in its TV market, download PIA VPN. It has servers in all 50 US states – simply connect to a server in a state where the game is available.

There Are 5 Nationally Televised NFL Preseason Games

The NFL has announced that 5 games during the NFL Preseason will air on national television, each with a different channel or platform.

Date and Time (ET)	Matchup	Channel
Thursday, August 1 at 8:00 p.m.	Texans at Bears	ESPN
Sunday August 18 at 8:00 p.m.	Saints at 49ers	FOX
Thursday, August 22 at 8:00 p.m.	Colts at Bengals	Prime Video
Sunday, August 25 at 4:30 p.m.	Cardinals at Broncos	CBS
Sunday, August 25 at 8:00	Patriots at Commanders	NBC

You can watch the NFL preseason for free with a TV and antenna for games on FOX, CBS, and NBC. If you don’t have TV or you won’t be at home to watch the game, you can see these games live or on demand (not including the Indianapolis Colts at the Cincinnati Bengals on Prime) on a streaming provider like Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu+ Live TV, or YouTube TV. 

If you’re traveling abroad or if your local network blocks streaming apps, PIA VPN can help. Connect to a US VPN server location – there is at least one in each US state – and enjoy the NFL preseason in the highest available quality.

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How to Watch the NFL Preseason in Canada 

TSN will broadcast 5 NFL preseason games in 2024, and these games are available for streaming through the TSN app.  

Another option for Canadians is to get NFL Game Pass, giving you access to nearly every NFL preseason game, excluding the 5 games on TSN which will be blacked out. You can avoid the NFL blackout with PIA VPN – simply connect to a VPN server outside the US and Canada to enjoy every NFL preseason game. 

How to Watch the NFL Preseason Outside the US and Canada

NFL Game Pass gives you access to every NFL preseason game, live and on demand. You can stream video for up to 4 games at a time while listening to an audio stream from one of them. 

In addition to the games, NFL Game Pass comes with the NFL Network for 24/7 NFL coverage, including expert analysis from former players, game highlights, fantasy football advice, and more.

There can be blackout restrictions and tape delays in the UK. If this happens, connect PIA VPN to a server location where the live stream is available, and enjoy the action as it happens.

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Why You Need a VPN to Stream the NFL Preseason

Streaming platforms for the NFL preseason will only work in specific countries or regions. To avoid missing a game because you’re traveling abroad, using a VPN to stream live sports is the easiest solution. For example, if you have NFL+ but you’re traveling through Europe, connect to a US VPN server to get a US IP address so you can stream the game.

Network restrictions on school, workplace, or public Wi-Fi networks that block streaming apps can also be avoided with a VPN. The software encrypts your connection, preventing the network from seeing the apps and websites you’re using, allowing you to stream the NFL preseason without interruptions.

Not all VPNs are created equal, you need a VPN with advanced encryption and fast speeds to enjoy these benefits. A robust encryption algorithm and a lightning-quick 10-Gbps server network make PIA VPN the best VPN for sports.

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Key Matchups in the 2024 NFL Preseason

The NFL preseason is a tune-up for the regular season, so many big name players will be sitting out all or most of the games. That being said, there’s still something to be said for beating your rival or going up against the top teams from last season to get an idea of how your team will compete in the regular season.

Here are some key matchups to look out for:

• Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears – Thursday, August 1. The Hall of Fame Game is always must-watch TV, but this year’s game is bigger than usual. It’s the first chance we’ll get to see Caleb Williams, the top overall pick from the 2024 draft, in real NFL action. 
• Kansas City Chiefs vs the Jacksonville Jaguars – Saturday, August 10. The Chiefs begin their title defense against a Jaguars team that had a disappointing 2023 season. They’ve signed QB Trevor Lawrence to a long-term deal with the hope that he can get back on track. 
• Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions – Saturday August 24. Dan Campbell’s Lions are out to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. What better way to do that than a Week 3 preseason game against the always well-coached and disciplined Pittsburgh Steelers.
• New York Giants vs New York Jets – Saturday, August 24. The battle for New York bragging rights is always a big deal, whether it’s the preseason, regular season, or postseason.

How Watching the NFL Preseason Can Help your Fantasy Team

Watching the NFL Preseason is more than just getting our football fix after 7 months without it. I’m not talking about watching new players adjust to new teams – I’m talking about finding those hidden gems that can help your fantasy team.  

The starters don’t play much during the preseason – just a few snaps in the first 2 games, and maybe the first half in week 3. This gives you an excellent chance to scout the second-tier players that can be difference makers or late-round steals in your fantasy draft.

Look for players who perform well in the first half against the better competition. If you pay close attention, you might also get a feel for how the coaches are planning on using these role players, whether it will be a two-back system, a pass-heavy strategy, or a reliance on the tight end. These seemingly minor insights can make all the difference in your fantasy league.  

The top players may not play much in the preseason, but you can find hidden gems that can put your team over the top.

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