How to Watch the 2026 Thanksgiving NFL Games Without Cable

Quick answer: The three Thanksgiving Day NFL games on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026 air on CBS, FOX and NBC, so a free TV antenna gets you all of them. To stream without cable, you’ll need Paramount+ Premium (Bears-Lions), FOX One (Eagles-Cowboys) and Peacock (Chiefs-Bills). One live TV service, like YouTube TV, covers all three.

2026 Thanksgiving NFL schedule

Schedule and networks as reported by CBS Sports and FOX Sports. Times are Eastern. NFL schedules can change, so check again the week of the game.

Cheapest way: a TV antenna (free)

All three Thanksgiving Day games air on broadcast networks: CBS, FOX and NBC. That means a basic TV antenna picks them up for free, in HD, with no subscription.

1. Check your signals on the FCC’s DTV Reception Maps (fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps).
2. Buy an indoor antenna if signals are strong. Most cost about $20 to $50.
3. Plug it into your TV and run a channel scan.
4. Test it a week before Thanksgiving, not on game day.

An antenna won’t get the Wednesday Netflix game or the Black Friday Prime Video game. Those are streaming-only.

Also read: How to watch local channels without cable, our full antenna and streaming guide.

How to stream each Thanksgiving game

Bears at Lions, 1 p.m. ET on CBS

Stream it on Paramount+ Premium ($13.99/month), which includes your local CBS station live. The cheaper Essential plan ($8.99/month) doesn’t include your live local CBS station, so it may not show the game. Live TV services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV also carry CBS in most areas.

Eagles at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Stream it on FOX One, FOX’s direct streaming service, or on any live TV service that carries your local FOX station. Check FOX One’s current price on its site before you sign up.

Chiefs at Bills, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC

Stream it on Peacock, which simulcasts NBC’s primetime NFL games. Recent reports put Peacock Premium at $12.99 a month after an August 2026 price increase. Live TV services that carry NBC also work.

Packers at Rams, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 8 p.m. ET on Netflix

This Thanksgiving Eve game streams only on Netflix. Any plan works, including Standard with ads at $8.99 a month, according to recent reporting.

Broncos at Steelers, Friday, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. ET on Prime Video

The Black Friday game streams on Prime Video. It’s included with an Amazon Prime membership ($14.99/month) or a standalone Prime Video subscription ($8.99/month).

One service for all three Thanksgiving Day games

If you don’t want three apps, a live TV service with local CBS, FOX and NBC covers the whole Thursday tripleheader:

None of these include the Netflix or Prime Video games.

Cost of every option for Thanksgiving week

Our own math for one month, using the prices above, before tax.

The antenna wins for most people. Add Netflix and Prime Video only if you want the Wednesday and Friday games.

Watching on your phone or while traveling

• NFL+ lets you watch local and primetime games live on a phone or tablet. It doesn’t work on TV screens.
• Streaming apps like Paramount+, Peacock and YouTube TV work on phones, but some show the local station for where you are, not where you live.
• Traveling to family? Download and sign in to your apps before you leave, and bring your streaming stick. Hotel and relatives’ Wi-Fi can require extra steps.

Why the Lions and Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving football is one of the NFL’s oldest traditions. The Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game almost every year since 1934. The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966 and have hosted nearly every year since.

The night game rotates between different teams each year. In 2026, it’s a big AFC matchup: Kansas City at Buffalo. The newer games around the holiday, on Wednesday night (Netflix) and Black Friday (Prime Video), show how much streaming services now pay for NFL games.

Listening on the radio

If the stream fails or you’re on the road, every game is on the radio. Local radio stations for each team carry the play-by-play for free. Many team stations also stream their broadcast in their own apps. The NFL’s national radio partners usually carry the holiday games too.

Radio is also the best backup if you’re driving to a relative’s house during the early game.

Watching from outside the U.S.

If you’re traveling abroad for the holiday, U.S. TV apps may not work because of rights limits. NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the league’s official service in many countries outside the U.S. Check whether it’s offered where you’ll be, and set it up before you leave.

Game-day checklist

1. Test your antenna or apps a few days early.
2. Update your streaming apps and your TV’s software.
3. Restart your router the morning of the game.
4. Plug your streaming device into the router with a cable if Wi-Fi is weak.
5. Limit other streams in the house during the game.
6. Have a backup: the radio broadcast or a phone app.

Made-up examples

These are made-up examples to show how the choices work.

Mike in Detroit only cares about the Lions game. He uses a $30 indoor antenna and watches Bears-Lions on his local CBS station for free.

The Johnsons in Dallas want all three Thursday games on the big TV without cable. They sign up for YouTube TV’s new-user deal, watch the tripleheader and cancel before the regular price starts.

Carla in Buffalo watches the Chiefs-Bills night game on Peacock, which she already pays for, and the Black Friday game with her Prime membership.

Common mistakes

• Signing up for Paramount+ Essential and expecting live local CBS. Premium includes your live local CBS station.
• Waiting until kickoff to set up. App sign-ups and antenna scans take time.
• Forgetting the Netflix and Prime Video games aren’t on regular TV.
• Using illegal free streams. They often carry malware and scam pop-ups.
• Forgetting to cancel a trial or promo you only needed for one week.

FAQ

What NFL games are on Thanksgiving 2026?

Bears at Lions (1 p.m. ET, CBS), Eagles at Cowboys (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX) and Chiefs at Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), on Thursday, Nov. 26.

Can I watch the Thanksgiving games for free?

Yes. All three Thursday games air on CBS, FOX and NBC, so a TV antenna gets them free.

Is the Thanksgiving night game on Peacock?

Yes. Chiefs at Bills airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.

Where is the Black Friday NFL game?

Broncos at Steelers streams on Prime Video on Friday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. ET.

What time is the Cowboys game on Thanksgiving 2026?

Eagles at Cowboys kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. Central, 1:30 p.m. Pacific) on FOX.

What time is the Lions game on Thanksgiving 2026?

Bears at Lions starts at 1 p.m. ET (noon Central, 10 a.m. Pacific) on CBS and Paramount+.

Do I need NFL Sunday Ticket for Thanksgiving games?

No. Sunday Ticket covers out-of-market Sunday afternoon games, not the Thanksgiving national broadcasts.

Bottom line

A TV antenna is the cheapest way to watch all three Thanksgiving Day games, since they’re on CBS, FOX and NBC. Add Netflix for the Wednesday game and Prime Video for Black Friday if you want every holiday game. Set everything up a week early so you’re not fixing tech while the turkey gets cold.

Sources: CBS Sports – NFL Thanksgiving schedule 2026; FOX Sports – 2026 Thanksgiving games; Sports Illustrated; Fortune – Streaming prices 2026; FCC – DTV Reception Maps.

Last reviewed: Oct. 23, 2026.