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Sixteen of the 17 Detroit Lions games this season have a network assigned, and 14 of those are on FOX, CBS, or NBC. Only two sit behind paid streaming — a Thursday night game on Prime Video and a Monday night game on ESPN. If you’re watching from outside Michigan, you’ll also need NFL Sunday Ticket.
Every scheduled Detroit Lions regular season game in 2026 airs on FOX, CBS, NBC, Prime Video, or ESPN — nine games on FOX, three on CBS, and two on NBC. The two premium games are Week 2 at Buffalo on Prime Video and Week 16 against the Giants on ESPN. Week 18 at Green Bay has not been assigned a network yet.
Two games stand out. The Lions play their traditional Thanksgiving game against Chicago on November 26 at 1:00 p.m. on CBS, and face New England in Munich in Week 10, kicking off at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX. Both are on free over-the-air channels.
Four games also carry a Spanish-language simulcast at no extra cost — Weeks 4 and 15 on Universo, Week 10 on FOX Deportes, and Week 16 on ESPN Deportes.
Here’s the full schedule with the channel for each game.
| Game (All times Eastern) | Opponent | Channel |
| Preseason Week 1: Aug. 13 (final, 16–14 L) | @ Cincinnati Bengals | FOX 2 Detroit / Lions TV Network |
| Preseason Week 2: Aug. 22 at 12:00 p.m. | Washington Commanders | FOX 2 Detroit / Lions TV Network |
| Preseason Week 3: Aug. 29 at 1:00 p.m. | @ Indianapolis Colts | FOX 2 Detroit / Lions TV Network / NFL Network |
| Week 1, Game 1: Sep. 13 at 1:00 p.m. | New Orleans Saints | FOX |
| Week 2, Game 2: Sep. 17 at 8:15 p.m. | @ Buffalo Bills | Prime Video |
| Week 3, Game 3: Sep. 27 at 1:00 p.m. | New York Jets | FOX |
| Week 4, Game 4: Oct. 4 at 8:20 p.m. | @ Carolina Panthers | NBC / Universo |
| Week 5, Game 5: Oct. 11 at 4:25 p.m. | @ Arizona Cardinals | FOX |
| Week 6: BYE WEEK | — | — |
| Week 7, Game 6: Oct. 25 at 4:25 p.m. | Green Bay Packers | FOX |
| Week 8, Game 7: Nov. 1 at 1:00 p.m. | Minnesota Vikings | FOX |
| Week 9, Game 8: Nov. 8 at 1:00 p.m. | @ Miami Dolphins | FOX |
| Week 10, Game 9: Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. (Munich) | New England Patriots | FOX / FOX Deportes |
| Week 11, Game 10: Nov. 22 at 1:00 p.m. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | CBS |
| Week 12, Game 11: Nov. 26 at 1:00 p.m. (Thanksgiving) | Chicago Bears | CBS |
| Week 13, Game 12: Dec. 6 at 1:00 p.m. | @ Atlanta Falcons | CBS |
| Week 14, Game 13: Dec. 13 at 1:00 p.m. | Tennessee Titans | FOX |
| Week 15, Game 14: Dec. 20 at 8:20 p.m. | @ Minnesota Vikings | NBC / Universo |
| Week 16, Game 15: Dec. 28 at 8:15 p.m. | New York Giants | ESPN / ESPN Deportes |
| Week 17, Game 16: Jan. 3 at 4:25 p.m. | @ Chicago Bears | FOX |
| Week 18, Game 17: Date TBD | @ Green Bay Packers | TBD |
The Lions play two “premium” games this season, one on Prime Video and one on ESPN. Subscribing to both platforms can cost you $179.92 for the season, or only $44.98 if you subscribe and cancel around each game. Every other scheduled Lions game is on FOX, CBS, or NBC.
| Where you’re watching | What you need |
| In the Detroit market, with cable or live TV already | Prime Video for Week 2. Your existing service already carries FOX, CBS, NBC, and ESPN |
| In the Detroit market, starting from scratch | A live TV streaming service carrying local FOX, CBS, and NBC (Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or DIRECTV Stream), which also includes ESPN, plus Prime Video |
| Outside the Detroit market | NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV, which includes ESPN, plus Prime Video |
Sunday afternoon games are assigned by region, so CBS and FOX show different matchups depending on where you live. If you’re outside Michigan, your local channels will usually be carrying another team, which is why out-of-market fans need Sunday Ticket to get every Lions game.
Here’s what each premium platform costs and which teams it carries.
Premium games are the ones whose broadcast rights have been bought by streaming platforms: Monday and Thursday night matchups, international games, and holiday matchups.
| Platform | Monthly | Full season | Teams with games on it |
| ESPN Unlimited | $29.99 | $119.96 | All except the Cardinals, Browns, Colts, Raiders, Dolphins, Jets, and Titans |
| Prime Video | $14.99 | $59.96 | All except the Cardinals, Raiders, Dolphins, Jets, Titans, and Saints |
| NFL Network / NFL+ | $6.99 | $27.96 | Falcons, Bengals, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Saints, Eagles, Steelers, Commanders |
| Netflix | $8.99 | $35.96 | Bills, Bears, Broncos, Packers, Rams, 49ers |
| NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV | — | $609.95 new $792.95 returning |
Any team, for out-of-market viewers |
Full-season figures cover the four months of the regular season. Nine of the 17 Monday night games are also simulcast free on ABC, with one more designated during the season, so an ESPN subscription isn't always necessary. Check your team's schedule above, and learn more in our NFL cost guide.
The NFL makes it challenging to watch your favorite team if you don't live close to its home market. If you're a Detroit Lions fan outside Michigan, here are two ways to watch out-of-market games:
NFL Sunday Ticket lets fans watch out-of-market games that aren’t broadcast on their local channels. This service is perfect for fans living outside the local area.
This option is sold exclusively through YouTube TV, and new users have two pricing options:
A virtual private network (VPN) lets you mask your location by connecting to a server in a different geographic region, helping you bypass regional restrictions and access content as if you were somewhere else.
So if a game is not available in your region, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in an area where the game is being broadcast. This way, you can enjoy the game live without any interruptions.
One of the best VPNs for accessing out-of-market NFL games is NordVPN, which has servers in all 50 U.S. states.
Learn more here:
Our #1 rated VPN, which has increased download speeds by up to 36% across all regions in our testing
Historically unlocks Netflix libraries in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia with no errors
Bundles with ad blocker, data removal, and encrypted storage for a more complete privacy setup
| Related channels | Price | |
| YouTube TV | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network | $67.99/mo for first three months, $82.99/mo after |
| Sunday Ticket | All out-of-market NFL games | $40.00/mo (returning users) or $30.00/mo for 8 months (new users) |
| Hulu + Live TV | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network | Starts at $89.99/mo |
| Sling TV | NBC (local), FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network | Starts at $60.99/mo (need Orange + Blue) |
| Fubo | NBC, CBS (local), FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network | Starts at $48.99/mo for first month, $73.99/mo after |
| DIRECTV Streaming | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network | Starts at $89.99/mo for first month, $124.99/mo after (need Ultimate plan) |
| ESPN | ABC, ESPN, exclusively airing 17 games | $29.99/mo (need Unlimited tier) |
| Paramount+ | CBS (local) | $8.99/mo |
| Peacock | NBC, exclusively airing Saturday game during Week 17 | Starts at $10.99/mo |
| Amazon Prime | Exclusively airing 16 Thursday night games | $8.99/mo |
| Netflix | Exclusively airing four games | Starts at $8.99/mo |
| NFL+ | Exclusively airing six games | Starts at $6.99 |
YouTube TV is by-far the most comprehensive option for streaming NFL games live. You’ll get access to all local channels, plus the option to add on NFL Sunday Ticket for an additional fee, which will even grant access to out-of-market games.
Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive options.
| Cost | What it includes | |
| YouTube TV | $67.99/mo for first three months, $82.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket | $82.99 per month (after promo period for new users) | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, out-of-market Sunday games |
Hulu + Live TV is another excellent choice for streaming NFL games, providing access to top national and local sports networks like ABC, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FOX, FS1, TNT, and the NFL Network.
| Cost | What it includes | |
| Hulu + Live TV (Ads) | $89.99/mo | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Hulu + Live TV (No ads) | $99.99/mo | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
Fubo is another comprehensive service that will give you access to ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and many more. This can guarantee you can watch all the in-market and nationally televised NFL games.
| Cost | What it includes | |
| Pro | $48.99/mo for first month, $73.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Elite | $74.99/mo for first month, $104.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K) |
| Deluxe | $109.99/mo | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K + Paramount) |
DIRECTV Streaming also offers access to all the major networks that broadcast NFL games. With its basic package starting around $59.99/mo for first month, $89.99/mo after, you'll have access to networks such as ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
If you want to catch games on the NFL Network, you’ll need to go with the Choice plan or higher.
| Cost | What it includes | |
| Entertainment | $59.99/mo for first month, $89.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN |
| Choice | $64.99/mo for first month, $94.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Ultimate | $89.99/mo for first month, $124.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
| Premier | $129.99/mo for first month, $169.99/mo after | NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network |
If you’re in the Detroit market, 14 of the 16 scheduled games are on FOX, CBS, or NBC and cost you nothing beyond the TV service you already have, including Thanksgiving and the Munich game. Only Week 2 on Prime Video and Week 16 on ESPN need anything extra.
Outside Michigan, your local FOX and CBS affiliates will be carrying other teams most Sundays, so NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV is the only way to get every game.
Week 18 at Green Bay still doesn’t have a network assigned, and the NFL can move games into prime time late in the season, so it’s worth checking back.
If you're an international fan, watching Detroit Lions games can be seamless if you have access to the right services. Some excellent options include streaming platforms like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo.
If you are outside the U.S., you can simply use a VPN. This will allow you to mask your IP address and bypass geographic restrictions, making it appear as if you were stateside. Fans can also catch the games abroad (excluding China) on DAZN with the NFL Game Pass International.
Don’t worry — most Detroit Lions games are broadcast on major cable networks, including CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. You can also use free NFL streaming platforms to watch games outside of your region.
Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV Stream all carry local FOX, CBS, and NBC, which covers 14 of the Lions’ 16 scheduled games. Only Week 2 on Prime Video and Week 16 on ESPN need anything else.
Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, so it would miss three Lions games including Thanksgiving.
Use our directory below to catch all NFL games across the country this season.
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