No, NFL preseason games are not typically included on NFL Sunday Ticket.
The excitement for football builds, and you’re probably wondering about catching every game. It’s natural to ask, “are nfl preseason games on sunday ticket?” Many fans anticipate accessing all the action, but the specifics of preseason coverage can be confusing. Let’s clear up this common question right away.
Sunday Ticket generally focuses on regular season games. Preseason games often appear on local networks or other specific sports packages. So, while you might use Sunday Ticket later, it’s not your go-to for those early matchups.
Are NFL Preseason Games on Sunday Ticket?
Okay, so you’re a huge football fan, right? You’ve been waiting all off-season, counting down the days until you can see your favorite team back on the field. You’re probably thinking about NFL Sunday Ticket, that sweet package that lets you watch almost every regular-season game. But what about those preseason games? Are they part of the deal? That’s what we’re here to talk about today. It’s a common question, and it’s important to know what you’re getting before the season kicks off. Let’s dive in and explore exactly what’s up with preseason games and NFL Sunday Ticket. We’ll break it all down so it’s super easy to understand.
Understanding NFL Sunday Ticket
Let’s start with the basics. NFL Sunday Ticket is a premium subscription service that allows you to watch out-of-market regular-season NFL games. Think of it as your all-access pass to games that aren’t shown on your local channels. If you live in New York but you’re a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, Sunday Ticket is how you can watch the Cowboys play each week without needing to move to Texas. It’s designed for people who want to follow their favorite teams no matter where they live.
What Sunday Ticket Offers
Out-of-Market Games: The main feature, giving you games that you wouldn’t normally see on local TV.
Every Sunday Afternoon Game: Access to almost every Sunday afternoon game, with some exceptions (more on that later).
Streaming Options: Ability to watch on various devices like your TV, computer, phone, and tablet.
Red Zone Channel: This channel flips between games when teams get close to scoring, adding more excitement. (often included in a higher-tier subscription.)
It’s important to note that Sunday Ticket has typically been available through DirecTV, but things have changed a bit recently, especially since YouTube TV acquired the rights. This impacts how you can get Sunday Ticket today and what’s included, and we’ll get to that in a bit. But for now, the main thing to remember is that Sunday Ticket focuses primarily on regular season games.
The Preseason Game Question
Now, back to the burning question: are preseason games on NFL Sunday Ticket? The simple answer is: generally, no. NFL Sunday Ticket focuses almost exclusively on the regular season. Preseason games are treated differently, and their availability is a whole different story. It’s not that they are not available, but it is not included in your sunday ticket subscription. Think of Sunday Ticket as a ticket to the main event, the actual season games. Preseason games are like the warm-up act. They’re important for the teams to get ready, but they don’t fall under the usual Sunday Ticket coverage.
Why Preseason Games Are Different
Exhibition Games: Preseason games are basically exhibition games, meaning they are not played for official season points. They are primarily used to evaluate players and try out strategies.
Broadcast Rights: The broadcast rights for preseason games are handled differently than those for regular-season games. Local TV stations often pick up some of these games, while others might be shown on national networks.
Roster Testing: Coaches use preseason to decide which players will make the final team roster.
Where to Watch Preseason NFL Games
So, if preseason games are not part of Sunday Ticket, where can you watch them? Here are some common ways to catch these games:
Local TV Channels: Many preseason games are broadcast on your local networks, so you can often watch them with a basic cable subscription. These local broadcasts often feature the home team of your area.
National Networks: Sometimes, a preseason game or two might be shown on national networks like ESPN or NFL Network. If your team is playing another team on these networks, you’re in luck.
NFL Network: If you have access to NFL Network, many preseason games are televised there. This is a dedicated channel for NFL fans, and you’ll find a lot of content during the preseason.
Streaming Services: Streaming services that carry live sports, including specific team’s apps, sometimes show certain preseason games. It is worth checking those out for some of the more popular games.
NFL+: The NFL’s own streaming service, NFL+, often shows preseason games as well.
How to Determine Where a Game Will Air
The best way to know where a specific preseason game will be shown is to check your local listings. Check the TV guide or website of your local networks for schedules. Also, check the NFL website or the team’s website to find out where the broadcasts for the individual preseason games will be available.
NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV
Here’s where things get a bit more current. NFL Sunday Ticket has moved from DirecTV to YouTube TV. This is a big shift, and it changes how fans can access Sunday Ticket. The core idea of Sunday Ticket remains the same: you get access to out-of-market regular season games. But the delivery system is now through YouTube TV.
How Sunday Ticket Works With YouTube TV
YouTube TV Add-on: You buy Sunday Ticket as an add-on to your existing YouTube TV subscription.
Streaming Focus: YouTube TV is primarily a streaming service, so everything is done online.
Package Options: YouTube TV offers different packages with and without Red Zone and other options.
It’s important to remember that even with YouTube TV, the focus is on the regular season. Preseason games are not included. You will need to access them through other means like local networks, NFL Network or other streaming services.
What About Team-Specific Apps?
Many NFL teams have their own official apps. Some of these apps offer live streaming of preseason games, especially for their local fans. Usually, it is the case that you might need to be in that team’s local market to view those games. The availability of those games can vary a lot between the teams and their respective broadcasters, so make sure to look for that information on your team’s app or website.
Benefits of Team Apps
Direct Streaming: Watch games directly on your phone or tablet.
Team News: Get up-to-date team news and information.
Custom Content: Enjoy team-specific content.
It is a good option for anyone looking to follow their team’s preseason efforts.
Why There’s Confusion
You might be thinking, “Okay, I get it, preseason isn’t part of Sunday Ticket, but it’s still kind of confusing.” And you’re right, it can be! There are a few reasons why this can be a tricky subject:
Different Rights: The way that broadcast rights work for preseason is not the same as the regular season.
Changes in Providers: With Sunday Ticket moving to YouTube TV, the rules and what’s included have also seen some change.
Varying Availability: The availability of games varies by market and broadcaster. This can make it hard to keep track of what’s playing and where.
It’s a good idea to always check the broadcast listings, as it saves you a lot of time and avoids confusion.
Making the Most of Preseason
Even though you might not get every preseason game through one service like Sunday Ticket, there are still ways you can have fun and stay up-to-date:
Plan Your Watch Schedule: Check the schedule ahead of time and plan which games to watch, based on where they are available.
Explore Local Channels: Make sure you check your local TV listings for broadcasts of preseason games.
Use Streaming Options: Make a list of the streaming services available for you and check them for any preseason game broadcasts.
Team Websites and Apps: Make sure to check your favorite team’s website and their mobile apps.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on NFL-related websites and forums to see where games are airing, so you don’t miss any important action.
Summary
So, to sum it all up: NFL Sunday Ticket is designed for regular-season games, not preseason games. To watch preseason games, you’ll need to turn to local channels, national networks like ESPN, NFL Network, and sometimes, your team’s official app or streaming services such as NFL+. Knowing where to find these games ahead of time will make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action during the preseason. The important takeaway is to pay attention to the specific broadcast schedules and make sure to check the availability for each game you are interested in. With a little preparation, you can make sure you enjoy the build-up to the real season.
While NFL Sunday Ticket provides a fantastic way to follow your favorite team throughout the regular season, it doesn’t offer coverage of those crucial preseason games. Remember that preseason games broadcast details vary, and you’ll need to rely on local channels, national networks, NFL Network, team apps, and NFL+ to catch all of the preseason action. With the right information, you won’t have to miss a single snap.
NFL Sunday Ticket | Preseason Games Included? |
Final Thoughts
NFL preseason games availability on Sunday Ticket remains a common question. Typically, these games are not included. The regular season package is what viewers usually get through Sunday Ticket.
Therefore, most fans must find alternative means for watching these exhibition contests. Preseason availability often depends on local broadcasts or other specific network deals. Are nfl preseason games on sunday ticket? the short answer is usually no.
