Can You Watch Preseason Games With Nfl Sunday Ticket? The short answer is generally no. NFL Sunday Ticket primarily focuses on providing access to regular season out-of-market games. Let’s dive deeper into the specifics of preseason coverage, alternative viewing options, and what you can expect from your Sunday Ticket subscription.
Understanding NFL Preseason Coverage
NFL preseason serves as a crucial warm-up period for teams, allowing coaches to evaluate players, experiment with strategies, and solidify their rosters. While these games don’t count towards the regular season standings, they offer valuable insights into upcoming team dynamics and potential breakout stars. However, their broadcasting landscape differs significantly from the regular season.
How Preseason Games are Typically Broadcast
Preseason games are often broadcast locally within the team’s market area. This means if you live in the region of a particular team, you’re likely to find their preseason games on local television channels. This is usually through network affiliates or regional sports networks. However, for fans outside these local markets, accessing preseason games can be more challenging.
Why NFL Sunday Ticket Doesn’t Usually Include Preseason
NFL Sunday Ticket’s core value proposition is providing access to out-of-market regular season games. Its focus is on delivering the main event to fans who can’t access their favorite team’s games through local channels. The demand, and thus the business model, for preseason games is simply different. Preseason games are generally considered less crucial than regular season matchups, hence the different broadcasting approach.
Alternatives for Watching Preseason Games
While NFL Sunday Ticket generally isn’t the answer for preseason viewing, several other options exist.
Local Channels and Regional Sports Networks
As mentioned earlier, local channels and regional sports networks (RSNs) are your primary source for preseason games within a team’s market. Check your local listings for specific broadcast schedules.
NFL Network
The NFL Network offers some preseason game coverage, although it may not include every game. Their schedule varies each year, so it’s best to consult their official website for the most up-to-date information.
Streaming Services
Various streaming platforms, such as NFL+, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV, might offer preseason game coverage depending on your location and the specific game. These services often bundle local channels and sports packages, potentially giving you access to preseason broadcasts within your market.
Team Websites and Apps
Some NFL teams also offer streaming options through their official websites and mobile applications. This can be a good option for catching preseason action, especially for local fans.
Making the Most of Your NFL Sunday Ticket Subscription
While you might not get preseason games, NFL Sunday Ticket delivers significant value during the regular season. Here’s how to optimize your subscription:
RedZone Channel
The RedZone channel provides rapid-fire coverage of all the scoring action happening across the league. It’s a fantastic way to keep up with multiple games simultaneously.
Fantasy Football Integrations
Many NFL Sunday Ticket packages integrate with fantasy football platforms, allowing you to track your players’ performance in real-time.
Multiple Device Streaming
Enjoy the flexibility of streaming games on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. This allows you to catch the action wherever you are.
Watching NFL Preseason Games: Alternatives
What to Expect in the Future of NFL Broadcasting
The landscape of sports broadcasting is constantly evolving. While preseason games aren’t currently a focus for NFL Sunday Ticket, future iterations of the service or other streaming platforms could potentially incorporate more comprehensive preseason coverage. Keep an eye out for announcements and updates from the NFL and various streaming providers.
Expert Insight from John Madden Jr. (Former NFL Coach and Commentator – Fictional Persona for Illustration Purposes)
“Preseason is all about evaluation and preparation. While fans might not see the same intensity as a regular season game, it’s crucial for teams to build chemistry and fine-tune their strategies.”
Conclusion
Can you watch preseason games with NFL Sunday Ticket? Typically, no. The service concentrates on regular season out-of-market games. However, several alternative options exist, including local channels, regional sports networks, NFL Network, and streaming services. By exploring these alternatives, you can still catch the preseason action and stay up-to-date with your favorite teams as they prepare for the main event. NFL Sunday Ticket provides immense value during the regular season, offering features like RedZone and fantasy football integration. So while preseason viewing might require a different approach, your Sunday Ticket subscription remains your key to an exciting regular season experience.
FAQs
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Does NFL+ include preseason games? NFL+ offers access to some preseason games, but availability varies based on location and game. Check their official website for details.
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Can I watch preseason games online for free? Some teams offer free streaming of preseason games on their websites or apps, but coverage is limited.
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What is the best way to watch out-of-market preseason games? Combining local channels, NFL Network, and streaming services offers the best chance of catching out-of-market preseason action.
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When does the NFL preseason typically start? The NFL preseason usually starts in early August.
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How many preseason games does each team play? Teams typically play three preseason games.
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Are preseason games included in YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV? Preseason game availability on these platforms depends on your location and the included local channels.
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Why are preseason games important for NFL teams? Preseason games allow teams to evaluate players, test strategies, and finalize their rosters before the regular season.
