New England Patriots Games: 2026 Schedule, TV & Streaming

There’s a comfort in knowing when and where the New England Patriots play, especially when the schedule brings a new head coach and a midweek opener. The Patriots’ 2026 regular season starts Wednesday, September 9, at 8:20 PM EDT against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field — a shift from the traditional Sunday kickoff. This guide covers every game’s time, TV channel, and streaming option, so you’re never left guessing.

Super Bowl championships: 6 · All-time regular season wins (since 1960): 549 · 2025 regular season record: 4–13 · Head coach (2026): Mike Vrabel · Stadium capacity: 65,878

The table below consolidates key details about the Patriots’ 2026 outlook.

What time is the Patriots game today?

For most of the year, “today” doesn’t have a Patriots game on the schedule. The 2026 preseason doesn’t start until August 13, and the regular season kicks off September 9. When a game is scheduled, kickoff times are confirmed by the league early in the week. The two most common windows are 1:00 PM EDT (early slot) and 4:25 PM EDT (late afternoon).

• Game time by timezone: 1:00 PM EDT = 12:00 PM CDT / 10:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM GMT. Use a timezone converter to avoid confusion when traveling.
• Where to confirm start times: The New England Patriots official schedule updates kickoff times as soon as the league announces them. The NFL team schedule page also refreshes weekly.

Bottom line: No regular season game is played every day. Check the schedule on Tuesday or Wednesday before the game for the confirmed start time.

The implication: Time zone awareness is a real factor for West Coast fans following this team.

What channel is the Patriots game on today?

Since 2026 preseason and regular season games are carried by different broadcasters, the channel depends on the week. The table below shows the primary national rights holders.

• Cable and satellite channels: AFC road games air on CBS (locally WBZ-TV in Boston). NFC road games air on FOX (locally WFXT). Sunday Night Football is on NBC. Monday Night Football is on ESPN. Thursday Night Football streams on Prime Video.
• National vs regional coverage: Most Patriots games are regional broadcasts. Only nationally scheduled games (Sunday, Monday, Thursday nights) are available everywhere.

For Week 1 at Seattle, NBC 10 Boston is the local television partner for the Wednesday night kickoff. In subsequent weeks, CBS/WBZ will carry the early Sunday games.

Bottom line: If you live in New England, tune to WBZ (CBS) for most Sunday games. For night games, check NBC or ESPN.

The pattern: Broadcast partners shift week to week, so checking the channel before game day is essential.

Who are the Patriots playing next?

As of June 2026, the next scheduled Patriots game is the preseason opener: Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 7:30 PM EDT against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium (NFL team schedule).

• Upcoming opponents and dates: Preseason Week 2 vs Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday, August 22, 7:00 PM EDT, Gillette Stadium); Preseason Week 3 at Cleveland Browns (Thursday, August 27, 8:00 PM EDT). Regular season opens September 9 at Seattle Seahawks.
• Head-to-head history preview: The Patriots and Colts have a storied rivalry from the 2000s, though recent matchups have been less frequent. The 2026 preseason meeting gives new head coach Mike Vrabel a chance to evaluate his squad against a familiar AFC South opponent.

The catch: This preseason matchup against the Colts is Vrabel’s first live-game look at his roster.

What is the Patriots schedule for this season?

The NFL releases the full schedule in May. The 2026 New England Patriots slate includes 17 regular season games. The official schedule page lists all games with television assignments. Below is a summary of the key dates.

Note: Weeks 16-18 have flexible scheduling; exact dates and times will be announced later.

What this means: The opening stretch is brutal — three divisional road games in the first seven weeks will define the season’s trajectory.

How can I watch the Patriots game live?

There are several ways to watch New England Patriots games in 2026, whether you have cable or are cutting the cord. Options vary by game type (preseason, regular season, national broadcast).

• Streaming services with NFL rights: YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) — all out-of-market Sunday games. NFL+ — mobile streaming of local and primetime games (no home TV). Prime Video — Thursday Night Football. Peacock — occasional exclusive games, including some Saturday windows in Week 17.
• Local broadcast affiliates: Over-the-air antennas pick up CBS (WBZ), FOX (WFXT), and NBC (WBTS) for free in the Boston market. Check signal strength at FCC DTV maps.
• Free trial options: YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV offer free trials (typically 5-7 days) that cover the game day. Just remember to cancel before billing.

Bottom line: For the full season, choose YouTube TV (includes Sunday Ticket) or a cable alternative. For single games, an antenna plus NFL+ works.

Timeline

• 2025 season: Patriots finish 4-13, miss playoffs (New England Patriots official schedule).
• January 2026: Mike Vrabel hired as head coach (Patriots official schedule).
• May 2026: 2026 regular season schedule released (Patriots official schedule).
• August 2026: Preseason games begin (August 13 vs Colts, per Patriots official schedule).
• September 2026: Regular season starts (September 9 at Seattle, per Patriots official schedule).

For Patriots fans, the 2026 season is a genuine reset. With a new head coach and a schedule that opens on a Wednesday night, the pattern is clear: adaptability matters. If you’re planning to watch every game, locking in your streaming setup before September 9 will save you last-minute scrambling.

Frequently asked questions