The National Football League is promoting its NFL+ Premium streaming service for the upcoming 2026 preseason [1].
This move allows fans to access live professional football without a traditional cable subscription. By centralizing video content on a single platform, the league is shifting more of its viewing experience toward digital and mobile environments [1].
The service is currently available through Plus.NFL.com, where users can stream content via web browsers and mobile devices worldwide [1]. NFL+ Premium includes access to live local games and primetime games [1, 2]. Additionally, subscribers can stream NFL RedZone and the NFL Network [1, 2].
The timing of the service rollout coincides with the start of the 2026 preseason, which begins Aug. 6, 2026 [2]. One of the early matchups scheduled for that date is a game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals [2].
By offering these streams on mobile and web platforms, the NFL provides a flexible alternative for viewers who cannot access a television. The service integrates various types of content, from local broadcasts to national primetime games, into one subscription [1, 2].
“NFL+ Premium gives subscribers access to live local games, primetime games, NFL RedZone, and NFL Network.”
The continued expansion of NFL+ Premium signals the league's strategy to reduce reliance on linear television networks. By owning the direct-to-consumer relationship via a proprietary app and website, the NFL can collect more granular user data and capture a larger share of the subscription revenue that previously went to cable providers.
