NFL 2026 Playoffs

The regular season is officially in the rearview mirror, and if your team didn’t make the cut, I’m truly sorry—there’s always next year (or the year after that). But for the rest of us, it’s time to hunker down. We are currently in the thick of the postseason, and knowing how to watch NFL 2026 playoffs is the difference between witnessing a legendary game-winning drive and staring at a “buffering” wheel while your neighbor’s cheers spoil the ending.

This year’s bracket is a wild one. With the Kansas City Chiefs missing the postseason for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Lombardi Trophy is officially anyone’s for the taking. Whether you’re a cord-cutter, a cable loyalist, or someone who just wants to watch on their phone while pretending to work, this guide has you covered.

The 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule

The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is short but brutal. If you want to know how to watch NFL 2026 playoffs effectively, you need to know when the games actually happen. We’ve already seen some heart-stopping action in the Wild Card round, and the stakes are only going up.

Wild Card Weekend Results (Jan 10–12, 2026)

We’ve already said goodbye to several contenders. Here’s a quick recap of who moved on:

• LA Rams (34) vs. Carolina Panthers (31)

• Chicago Bears (31) vs. Green Bay Packers (27)

• Buffalo Bills (27) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (24)

• San Francisco 49ers (23) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (19)

• New England Patriots (16) vs. LA Chargers (3)

• Houston Texans (30) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6)

Divisional Round (Jan 17–18, 2026)

This is where things get serious. The No. 1 seeds—the Denver Broncos (AFC) and the Seattle Seahawks (NFC)—are finally coming off their bye week to defend their home turf.

Conference Championships & Super Bowl LX

• AFC Championship: Sunday, Jan 25, 3:00 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+.

• NFC Championship: Sunday, Jan 25, 6:30 PM ET on FOX/Fox One.

• Super Bowl LX: Sunday, Feb 8, 6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.

How to Watch NFL 2026 Playoffs on Cable and Satellite

If you still have a traditional cable box and enjoy the tactile feel of a physical remote, you’re in luck. The NFL postseason is spread across the “Big Four” networks. Most of the heavy lifting is done by:

1. CBS: The home for the AFC side of the bracket.

2. FOX: The primary destination for the NFC battles.

3. NBC: Holding the rights to the Sunday night divisional game and the grand finale, Super Bowl LX.

4. ESPN/ABC: Usually handles the Monday night Wild Card and a Sunday Divisional matchup.

Pro Tip: If you have cable, you can often use your login credentials to stream the games on the network’s respective apps (like the NBC Sports app or Fox Sports app) if you find yourself stuck in the kitchen during a touchdown.

Cutting the Cord: Streaming the Playoffs

If you’ve ditched cable to save money for overpriced stadium nachos, don’t worry. There are more ways to stream than ever. However, it can feel like you need a PhD in subscriptions to keep track. Here is the breakdown of how to watch NFL 2026 playoffs via streaming services.

1. Live TV Streaming Services (The “All-In-One” Fix)

These services act like cable but run over your internet. They are the easiest way to get all the local channels in one place.

• YouTube TV: Generally considered the gold standard for sports fans. It carries ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

• Hulu + Live TV: Includes the major networks plus ESPN+, making it a solid choice for the divisional round.

• Fubo: Marketed heavily toward sports fans, though you should double-check that your local NBC affiliate is included in your specific area.

2. Standalone Streaming Apps (The “Budget” Route)

If you don’t want to pay $80+ a month for a full “Live TV” package, you can piece the playoffs together using individual apps. According to data from Mashable and NerdWallet, this can save you a significant chunk of change.

• Paramount+: Streams every game that airs on CBS. (Essential for the AFC Championship).

• Peacock: Streams every game that airs on NBC, including Super Bowl LX.

• Fox One: The new home for Fox’s digital streaming, including the NFC Championship.

• ESPN+ / ESPN Unlimited: Necessary for the games airing on ESPN/ABC.

• Amazon Prime Video: While they only had an exclusive Wild Card game, it’s worth keeping for the replays and analysis.

How to Watch the NFL Playoffs for Free (Legally!)

Yes, you read that right. You don’t always have to pay a monthly fee to see the big game. Because most playoff games air on “over-the-air” (OTA) broadcast networks, a simple Digital Antenna can be your best friend.

If you live within range of a broadcast tower, an antenna can pull in ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC in high definition for a one-time cost of about $20–$50. It’s the ultimate “life hack” for sports fans. Just make sure to check a signal map (like the one on the FCC website) to see which channels reach your house before you buy.

Watching the Playoffs on Your Phone

If you are on the go, the NFL+ app is a lifesaver. For a relatively low monthly fee (around $6.99 for the basic tier), you can watch every playoff game live on your phone or tablet.

The catch? You can’t “cast” these games to your TV. It’s strictly for mobile viewing. It’s perfect if you’re stuck at a wedding or a grocery store, but not ideal for a Super Bowl party unless everyone wants to huddle around your iPhone 15.

International Viewers: How to Watch From Abroad

For fans outside the US, the NFL Game Pass (via DAZN) is usually the primary way to catch the action. It offers every single game live and on-demand. In specific regions like the UK, some games might also be available on Sky Sports or ITV.

If you are a US resident traveling abroad, you might find your streaming apps (like YouTube TV) are geo-blocked. Many fans use a VPN to maintain access to their home subscriptions, but always ensure you are following the terms of service of your provider.

Logic and Strategy: Why So Many Channels?

You might be asking, “Why is this so complicated?” The logic is simple: Money. The NFL signed a massive 11-year media rights deal worth over $110 billion. By spreading games across CBS, NBC, Fox, Disney (ESPN/ABC), and Amazon, the league ensures that every major media player has a “piece of the pie.”

While it’s a headache for us to track down which app has which game, it’s what keeps the league profitable and—theoretically—allows for the high-production value broadcasts we enjoy.

Final Checklist for Playoff Success

To make sure you don’t miss a second of the NFL 2026 playoffs, follow this checklist:

1. Check your Internet: Streaming 4K football requires at least 25 Mbps. If your roommates are all gaming at once, you’re going to have a bad time.

2. Update your Apps: Don’t wait until 4:29 PM to find out your Paramount+ app needs a 2GB update.

3. Confirm your Local Channels: Use a tool like Antennas Direct to see if your antenna will actually pick up the signal.

4. Sync your Audio: If you prefer radio, Westwood One is the official audio partner, broadcasting every game across 500+ stations and the NFL app.

The 2026 playoffs are shaping up to be a historic run. From the high-flying Bills trying to finally get over the hump to the Seahawks looking to defend their No. 1 seed at home, the drama is guaranteed. Now that you know how to watch NFL 2026 playoffs, all that’s left to do is grab the wings, find the remote, and hope your team doesn’t blow a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter.