​In just two weeks, the Houston Texans will return to the practice fields as training camp begins, signaling that the NFL season is nearly here. While the rest of the league—31 teams in total—will gradually take the field to prepare for the 2026 season, Houston’s objectives will focus on building a strong foundation, even though their targets differ markedly from those in Arizona or Cleveland. The starting point for any hopeful campaign, however, remains a solid showing during training camp.
For Texans supporters living in the Greater Houston area, every preseason game will be carried on ABC. Fans outside Texas, particularly those who rely on national coverage, may need to pay attention to where each game is shown, as some contests could require access to national broadcasts to catch the action. The upside is that ESPN announced a comprehensive plan: 32 preseason games will be available live across its broadcasting partners, including ESPN’s own platforms, the NFL Network, and the ESPN app. Although ESPN will air only one game live, 19 games will be shown live on the NFL Network, and 12 additional games will be accessible via the ESPN app for subscribers.
So, exactly how many Texans games will be broadcast live? Here is a rundown of the preseason schedule and where each game will be shown, reflecting the broadcasting rights for the Texans’ slate.
Thursday, August 13: Cardinals at Raiders at 8:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Titans at 49ers at 9:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Friday, August 14: Broncos at Falcons at 7:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Buccaneers at Jets at 7:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Saturday, August 15: Cowboys at Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Vikings at Giants at 1:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Browns at Bears at 1:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Jaguars at Saints at 4:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Rams at Chiefs at 4:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Eagles at Ravens at 7:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App.
Thursday, August 20: Raiders at Texans at 8:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; 49ers at Chargers at 10:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Friday, August 21: Jets at Steelers at 7:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Panthers at Jaguars at 7:30 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Packers at Broncos at 9:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Saturday, August 22: Ravens at Vikings at 1:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Bills at Browns at 1:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Saints at Rams at 4:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Giants at Dolphins at 4:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Eagles at Patriots at 7:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Chiefs at Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Cowboys at Cardinals at 10:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Thursday, August 27: Steelers at Bills at 7:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; 49ers at Raiders at 8:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Rams at Chargers at 10:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Friday, August 28: Commanders at Ravens at 6:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Seahawks at Chiefs at 8:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Saints at Cowboys at 8:00 p.m. ET on the ESPN App; Vikings at Broncos at 9:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
Saturday, August 29: Lions at Colts at 1:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network; Bears at Titans at 6:00 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.
This consolidated display reflects the broadcasting rights landscape for Houston’s preseason slate, underscoring that a combination of ESPN’s platforms, the NFL Network, and the ESPN app will ensure coverage of a broad swath of the 32 live games slated for 2026. This setup gives fans multiple avenues to follow the team through the exhibition season, with the majority of telecasts leaning on NFL Network for live games and the ESPN app serving as a valuable streaming option for subscribers who prefer digital access. The Texans’ preseason journey, framed by these broadcast plans, promises ample opportunities for supporters to gauge the team’s preparation and progress before the regular season kicks off. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: ESPN, NFL Network to air 32 preseason games live in 2026 for better SEO.