The NFL Preseason: A Month-Long Warm-Up to the Regular Season

Get ready for the NFL season with our comprehensive guide to the preseason. Find out when it starts, how to watch, and what to expect from this month-long warm-up period.
The NFL Preseason: A Month-Long Warm-Up to the Regular Season
Photo by Austrian National Library on Unsplash

The NFL Preseason: A Month-Long Warm-Up to the Regular Season

The NFL season is finally here, and with it comes the highly anticipated preseason. This month-long warm-up period serves as a precursor to the regular season, which kicks off in earnest in September. This year’s preseason starts on August 1 and runs for three weeks, concluding on August 25.

The NFL preseason is a time for teams to fine-tune their strategies and for players to prove themselves.

While the games may not count in the same way as the regular season, you can still bet on them at our favorite sports betting sites. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that most NFL preseason games are determined by players who will be lucky to start the season on the practice squad, so there’s a lot of volatility baked into every game. If you do bet on the preseason, be prepared to ride the wave.

When Does the Preseason Start?

The preseason starts on Thursday, August 1, when the Houston Texans take on the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. This iconic game, which has been played at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton since 1962, will be broadcast on ESPN for the first time ever due to the Olympics.

How Can I Watch the Preseason?

While preseason games are only available in a team’s local market, every out-of-market preseason game will be available on NFL+ (subscription required). NFL Network will have 21 preseason games, and there will also be five games available on national television.

The NFL preseason schedule is packed with exciting matchups.

NFL Preseason Schedule

Here is the complete NFL preseason schedule:

  • Hall of Fame Game: Thursday, August 1 - Texans at Bears, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
  • Week 1:
    • Thursday, August 8 - Panthers at Patriots, 7 p.m. ET
    • Friday, August 9 - Falcons at Dolphins, 7 p.m. ET
    • Saturday, August 10 - Commanders at Jets, 12 p.m. ET
    • Sunday, August 11 - Broncos at Colts, 1 p.m. ET
  • Week 2:
    • Thursday, August 15 - Eagles at Patriots, 7 p.m. ET
    • Saturday, August 17 - Falcons at Ravens, noon ET
    • Sunday, August 18 - Packers at Broncos, 8 p.m. ET
  • Week 3:
    • Thursday, August 22 - Colts at Bengals, 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
    • Friday, August 23 - Jaguars at Falcons, 7 p.m. ET
    • Sunday, August 25 - Titans at Saints, 2 p.m. ET

“The NFL preseason is a time for teams to fine-tune their strategies and for players to prove themselves.” - Source

The NFL preseason is packed with action, drama, and excitement.

The NFL preseason is an exciting time for football fans, offering a glimpse into the upcoming season. With a packed schedule and plenty of opportunities to bet on the games, this month-long warm-up period is not to be missed.