How to Watch Arizona Cardinals Games

Watching every Arizona Cardinals game in 2026 is surprisingly straightforward—once you know whether the NFL considers you an in-market or out-of-market viewer.

For fans living in Arizona, most regular-season games will appear on a local CBS or FOX affiliate. For Cardinals fans living elsewhere in the United States, NFL Sunday Ticket becomes much more important because it carries out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.

Mobile viewers have another option through NFL+, while Paramount+ can stream locally available CBS games and the new FOX One service can stream eligible FOX NFL broadcasts without a traditional cable subscription.

The Cardinals’ 2026 regular season begins on Sunday, September 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 1:25 p.m. Arizona time. CBS carries the opener.

Before that, Arizona finishes its extended four-game preseason schedule against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, August 28.

This guide explains exactly where to watch the Cardinals based on where you live, which services you actually need, how NFL Sunday Ticket works, the cheapest legal options, radio coverage and the full 2026 Arizona Cardinals TV schedule.

The Short Answer: Where Can I Watch Cardinals Games?

Where You LiveBest Way to Watch Cardinals
Phoenix / Arizona marketLocal CBS + FOX
Arizona without cableAntenna + Paramount+ / FOX One
Outside Arizona in the USNFL Sunday Ticket
Mobile viewer in Cardinals marketNFL+
Want CBS Cardinals gamesParamount+ or local CBS
Want FOX Cardinals gamesFOX One or local FOX
Want every Sunday out-of-market gameNFL Sunday Ticket
Outside the United StatesNFL Game Pass International / local broadcaster
Want radio insteadArizona Sports 98.7 FM

The important part is that NFL Sunday Ticket does not replace your local CBS or FOX station.

It fills the opposite gap.

If a Cardinals game is being shown locally where you live, you normally watch it through that local broadcaster.

If it is not being shown locally because another NFL game has been assigned to your market, Sunday Ticket is designed to provide the out-of-market game.

That distinction explains most NFL streaming confusion.

Something Unusual About the Cardinals’ 2026 TV Schedule

Arizona enters the season with an unusually simple national television situation.

As of August 25, the Cardinals’ scheduled games from Weeks 1 through 17 are all Sunday afternoon CBS or FOX broadcasts.

There is currently:

  • No Monday Night Football game
  • No Thursday Night Football game
  • No Sunday Night Football game
  • No Netflix regular-season game
  • No Amazon Prime Video regular-season game

Week 18 against San Francisco remains without a confirmed date, kickoff time or network.

That makes the Cardinals significantly easier to stream than a team whose games are scattered across CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, Amazon and Netflix.

Through Week 17, Arizona currently has:

10 FOX games and 6 CBS games with Week 18 still TBD.

The NFL can alter late-season television assignments through flexible scheduling, so this situation is not guaranteed to remain unchanged all season.

Still, for now, a Cardinals fan mainly needs to solve one question:

How do I get CBS and FOX—or Sunday Ticket if I live outside the Cardinals market?

Arizona Cardinals 2026 Schedule: Dates, Times and TV Channels

4:25 PM
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers
CBS
4:25 PM
Seattle Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals
FOX
4:05 PM
Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers
FOX
1:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants
CBS
4:25 PM
Detroit Lions
Arizona Cardinals
FOX
4:05 PM
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams
FOX
4:05 PM
Denver Broncos
Arizona Cardinals
CBS
1:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys
FOX
4:25 PM
Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks
FOX
4:05 PM
Los Angeles Rams
Arizona Cardinals
CBS
1:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs
CBS
4:25 PM
Washington Commanders
Arizona Cardinals
FOX
4:05 PM
Philadelphia Eagles
Arizona Cardinals
FOX
4:05 PM
New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
FOX
1:00 PM
Arizona Cardinals
New Orleans Saints
FOX
4:05 PM
Las Vegas Raiders
Arizona Cardinals
CBS
TBD TBD
San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
TBD

How to Watch Cardinals Games in Arizona

If you live inside the Cardinals’ normal television market, you generally have the easiest setup.

Most regular-season games will be distributed through your local CBS or FOX station.

You can receive those channels in several ways:

  • Television antenna
  • Cable or satellite
  • YouTube TV
  • Hulu + Live TV
  • Fubo
  • DIRECTV
  • Paramount+ for eligible CBS games
  • FOX One for eligible FOX games

The Cardinals themselves list CBS and FOX among their primary live streaming options.

Watch CBS Cardinals Games

Six currently scheduled Cardinals games appear on CBS before Week 18:

  • at Chargers
  • at Giants
  • vs. Broncos
  • vs. Rams
  • at Chiefs
  • vs. Raiders

For an in-market viewer, the simplest free option is your local CBS affiliate through an antenna.

For streaming, Paramount+ carries NFL on CBS.

Paramount+ currently charges:

Paramount+ PlanPrice
Essential$8.99/month
Premium$13.99/month

The Essential plan includes NFL on CBS, while Premium additionally provides your live CBS station where available.

Regional NFL availability still applies.

Subscribing to Paramount+ does not magically make every CBS NFL game nationwide available. You receive the NFL on CBS coverage assigned to your location.

Watch FOX Cardinals Games

FOX has an even larger share of Arizona’s 2026 schedule.

Ten games from Weeks 1–17 are currently assigned to FOX.

You have several options.

An antenna remains the cheapest if your local FOX station comes in clearly.

Cord-cutters also gained a new option in 2026: FOX One.

FOX says FOX One streams regional Sunday NFL games carried by FOX in a viewer’s market, with support for televisions, mobile devices and browsers.

FOX One currently costs:

  • $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually

and advertises a three-day trial, subject to current offer terms.

That makes FOX One particularly relevant for Cardinals fans because FOX currently carries most of Arizona’s schedule.

Cheapest Way to Watch the Cardinals in Arizona

Do not automatically buy NFL Sunday Ticket if you live in Arizona. You may not need it.

A practical low-cost setup is:

Option 1: Antenna

If you can receive both your local CBS and FOX stations, an over-the-air antenna could cover almost the entire currently announced regular-season schedule without a recurring television bill.

As of August 25, all Cardinals games through Week 17 are assigned to CBS or FOX.

That makes an antenna unusually useful for this team in 2026.

Week 18 remains unknown.

Option 2: Paramount+ + FOX One

If you cannot receive reliable broadcast signals:

  • Paramount+ can handle eligible local CBS games.
  • FOX One can handle eligible local FOX games.

Buying both still may cost less than subscribing to an $80+ full live-TV package solely for Cardinals football.

Option 3: NFL+ on a Phone or Tablet

If you mainly watch on mobile, NFL+ is substantially cheaper.

NFL+ includes live local and prime-time regular-season and postseason games on phones and tablets.

Current pricing:

PlanMonthlyAnnual
NFL+$6.99$49.99
NFL+ Premium$14.99$99.99

NFL+ Premium also includes NFL RedZone, full-game replays, condensed replays and All-22 coaches film.

There is a critical limitation:

NFL+ does not let you watch live local regular-season games on a television.

Those live local and prime-time games are restricted to phones and tablets. Replays and certain other Premium content can be watched on supported TV devices.

So NFL+ is excellent for someone who watches Cardinals games on an iPhone, Android phone, iPad or tablet.

It is not a complete $6.99 replacement for CBS and FOX on your living-room television.

How to Watch the Cardinals Outside Arizona

This is where NFL Sunday Ticket becomes important.

Suppose you are a Cardinals fan living in New York.

On Sunday afternoon, your local FOX station may show Giants, Jets or another regional game instead of Arizona.

Even though FOX technically owns the Cardinals broadcast, FOX cannot simply show every regional game to every household simultaneously.

Sunday Ticket provides those out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.

YouTube describes NFL Sunday Ticket as access to out-of-market Sunday regular-season games.

NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube

You can buy Sunday Ticket without subscribing to YouTube TV.

For new customers, YouTube currently lists promotional 2026 pricing of approximately: $240 for the season or eight non-cancelable payments of $30.

Returning-customer pricing can be substantially higher, and promotions vary by account.

NFL Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV

You can also combine Sunday Ticket with YouTube TV.

That setup gives you two different pieces:

  • YouTube TV: local and nationally televised NFL channels.
  • Sunday Ticket: out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.

For someone outside Arizona who wants to follow the Cardinals every Sunday and also watch national NFL broadcasts, this is one of the most complete setups.

YouTube TV’s standard base price is currently $82.99 per month after applicable promotions.

What Sunday Ticket does NOT Include

Sunday Ticket does not mean literally every NFL game.

It is primarily for out-of-market Sunday afternoon regular-season games.

It does not replace:

  • Local CBS/FOX broadcasts
  • Sunday Night Football
  • Monday Night Football
  • Thursday Night Football
  • Netflix exclusives
  • NFL playoffs
  • Super Bowl LXI

For the Cardinals, however, the 2026 schedule makes Sunday Ticket especially useful for distant fans because every currently scheduled Weeks 1–17 game sits in a Sunday CBS/FOX window.

Can I Buy Sunday Ticket Just for the Cardinals?

YouTube’s main Sunday Ticket package provides the entire out-of-market Sunday slate rather than a traditional single-team subscription.

That means a Cardinals fan also receives other eligible out-of-market Sunday games.

This can be useful if you follow fantasy football or simply want to switch between games.

YouTube also supports multiview, allowing compatible viewers to watch multiple Sunday games at once.

What Is “In-Market” and “Out-of-Market”?

This is the most important concept in this entire guide.

In-market

A game is in-market when your local CBS or FOX affiliate has been assigned that game.

Example:

You live in Phoenix.

FOX assigns Seahawks at Cardinals to your local FOX station.

That is an in-market game.

Watch it through local FOX, an eligible TV provider or a compatible local streaming service.

Out-of-market

You live in Boston.

FOX has Cardinals at 49ers, but your local station is showing another matchup.

Arizona–San Francisco is therefore out-of-market for you.

NFL Sunday Ticket is designed for that situation.

Why Doesn’t Sunday Ticket Show My Local Cardinals Game?

Because the local broadcaster retains the rights.

This is not necessarily a traditional “blackout” where nobody can watch the game.

It means you need to use the local CBS/FOX source instead of the Sunday Ticket feed.

Do Cardinals Fans Need Amazon Prime Video in 2026?

Not based on the currently released regular-season schedule.

Arizona has no scheduled Thursday Night Football appearance from Weeks 1–17.

Therefore, a Cardinals-only viewer does not currently need Prime Video to watch the team.

That could theoretically change if the NFL modifies a later assignment, but there is no Cardinals Prime Video regular-season game on the schedule as of August 25.

Do Cardinals Fans Need ESPN?

Again, not currently.

Arizona has no scheduled Monday Night Football game through Week 17.

You may still want ESPN for the wider NFL season and playoffs, but it is not presently required for a Cardinals regular-season game.

Are the Cardinals on Sunday Night Football?

There is currently no Arizona Cardinals Sunday Night Football matchup listed during Weeks 1–17.

Later-season flexible scheduling can change television assignments, so check the schedule again during November and December.

Are the Cardinals Playing on Netflix?

No Cardinals game is currently assigned to Netflix during the 2026 regular season.

Netflix has its own NFL package, but Arizona is not presently part of those scheduled exclusives.

That means a Cardinals-only subscriber does not need Netflix specifically for the team’s current schedule.

How to Watch Arizona Cardinals Preseason Games

Arizona is playing four preseason games in 2026 because it participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

Three have already been played:

  • Panthers 33, Cardinals 30
  • Cardinals 27, Raiders 14
  • Cowboys 34, Cardinals 13

Arizona closes the preseason at Green Bay on Friday, August 28.

Cardinals at Packers – August 28

  • Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. Arizona time
  • Venue: Lambeau Field

Arizona’s official preseason announcement says Valley viewers can watch the non-Hall-of-Fame preseason games on Arizona’s Family.

Tucson viewers can watch on KOLD News 13, while Arizona’s Family Sports covers Northern Arizona, Yuma and Albuquerque.

NFL+ also streams live out-of-market preseason games on supported devices, subject to restrictions.

Arizona Cardinals Local TV Coverage

The Cardinals’ local broadcast ecosystem differs between preseason and regular-season football.

Regular Season

CBS and FOX handle the vast majority of Cardinals broadcasts in 2026.

Which specific local affiliate airs each game depends on network assignment and location.

Preseason

Arizona’s Family serves as the team’s local preseason television partner.

The Cardinals’ current media page identifies Arizona’s Family among its primary broadcast partners.

This distinction matters because an Arizona preseason game may appear on Arizona’s Family even though the regular-season schedule mainly uses CBS and FOX.

Listen to Cardinals Games on Radio

Video is not the only way to follow every snap.

The team’s principal English-language radio home is:

Arizona Sports 98.7 FM

The Cardinals’ official media page also lists Fuego 106.7 FM for Spanish-language coverage.

NFL+ provides another option because it includes live game audio with home, away and national calls for every game.

Audio is particularly useful if you are:

  • Driving
  • Traveling
  • Outside a television market
  • Working during kickoff
  • Following the game while using limited mobile data

Can I Watch the Cardinals on My Phone?

Yes.

If the Cardinals game is locally available to you, NFL+ can stream live local regular-season and postseason games on supported phones and tablets.

You can also use the appropriate network service:

  • Paramount+ for eligible CBS coverage
  • FOX One for eligible FOX coverage
  • YouTube / YouTube TV for Sunday Ticket
  • Your live TV provider’s app

Location permission matters.

Streaming providers use your device location to determine which regional NFL game you are allowed to receive.

Can I Watch the Cardinals on a Smart TV?

Yes, but the correct service depends on the game.

For CBS games:

  • Paramount+ can be used on supported connected TVs.

For FOX games:

  • FOX One supports television streaming devices and smart-TV platforms.

For out-of-market games:

NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube or YouTube TV supports television streaming.

Do not rely on basic NFL+ for live local games on a television. NFL states that live local and prime-time regular-season games through NFL+ remain restricted to phones and tablets.

Can I Watch Cardinals Games for Free?

There are legitimate free options, but none guarantees every game for every viewer.

Antenna

For fans inside an Arizona broadcast market, this is the best option.

CBS and FOX are over-the-air television networks.

If your local affiliates carry the Cardinals game and your antenna can receive them, there is no recurring subscription charge.

Considering the current 2026 schedule is entirely CBS/FOX through Week 17, this could cover a surprisingly large portion of the season.

FOX One Trial

FOX One currently advertises a three-day trial, though promotional availability can change.

Official Highlights

NFL.com, the NFL app and Cardinals platforms provide highlights and game recaps.

They are not substitutes for a full live broadcast, but they provide a free legal option if you cannot watch the game live.

Avoid unofficial websites promising “every Cardinals game free” without licensed broadcast rights. Those feeds can disappear during games and may expose visitors to deceptive pop-ups or malicious advertising.

How to Watch the Cardinals Outside the United States

NFL+ is only available in the United States.

International viewers should instead check NFL Game Pass International through DAZN or the licensed NFL broadcaster in their country.

The Cardinals’ official media page directs international fans toward NFL Game Pass for live game access outside markets where domestic US services apply.

International NFL rights vary by country, so local broadcasts can coexist with Game Pass.

If you are traveling, check whether your existing provider allows temporary international access before assuming your American subscription will work abroad.

Which Service Should a Cardinals Fan Actually Buy?

The answer depends almost entirely on location and device.

You live in Arizona and own a TV

Start with an antenna.

If CBS and FOX reception is reliable, you may already have almost everything required for the regular season.

You live in Arizona but cannot use an antenna

Consider:

  • Paramount+ + FOX One

That directly targets the two networks carrying the current Cardinals schedule.

You Live in Arizona and Watch on Your Phone

NFL+ is probably the best value.

At $6.99 per month, it provides live local games on phones and tablets plus NFL Network and live audio.

You Live Outside Arizona

Choose NFL Sunday Ticket.

It solves the main problem faced by distant Cardinals fans: local stations showing another Sunday afternoon game.

You Want Football Beyond the Cardinals

A full live-TV service plus Sunday Ticket becomes more attractive.

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DIRECTV can combine NFL channels with other sports and entertainment networks.

Cardinals 2026 Home Games

Arizona has the following regular-season games at State Farm Stadium:

  • Seattle Seahawks — September 20
  • Detroit Lions — October 11
  • Denver Broncos — October 25
  • Los Angeles Rams — November 15
  • Washington Commanders — November 29
  • Philadelphia Eagles — December 6
  • New York Jets — December 20
  • Las Vegas Raiders — January 3
  • San Francisco 49ers — Week 18

The Cardinals’ bye arrives in Week 14.

Key Cardinals Games to Watch in 2026

Every game counts, but several matchups stand out.

Seahawks at Cardinals — September 20

Arizona’s home opener is also an NFC West matchup. The game is scheduled for FOX at 1:25 p.m. Arizona time.

Cardinals at 49ers — September 27

The second consecutive divisional game sends Arizona to Levi’s Stadium. FOX carries the matchup.

Cardinals at Rams — October 18

Another NFC West road game, this time at SoFi Stadium. FOX currently has the broadcast.

Cardinals at Cowboys — November 1

The Cowboys generally attract large national audiences even in regional windows. This game airs on FOX at 11:00 a.m. Arizona time.

Cardinals at Chiefs — November 22

Kansas City hosts Arizona on CBS. It is one of the Cardinals’ most notable interconference road games and kicks off at 11:00 a.m. Arizona time.

Eagles at Cardinals — December 6

Philadelphia visits State Farm Stadium immediately before Arizona’s Week 14 bye. FOX carries the current broadcast assignment.

49ers at Cardinals — Week 18

The regular season closes with an NFC West game at State Farm Stadium. Its date, kickoff time and network remain TBD.

Depending on the standings, this game could become extremely important for playoff positioning.

FAQs

What channel is the Arizona Cardinals game on?

The channel changes by week. Through Week 17 of the 2026 schedule, every Cardinals regular-season game is currently assigned to either CBS or FOX. Week 18 against San Francisco remains TBD.

How can I watch Arizona Cardinals games without cable?

Inside the Cardinals market, use an antenna, Paramount+, FOX One or another streaming service carrying your local CBS and FOX stations. Outside the market, NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary option for Sunday afternoon games.

Can I watch Cardinals games on NFL+?

Yes. NFL+ streams live local and prime-time regular-season games on phones and tablets. NFL+ costs $6.99 per month or $49.99 annually.

Can NFL+ show Cardinals games on my TV?

Not live local regular-season games. NFL states those live broadcasts are limited to phones and tablets. Premium replays and NFL RedZone can be accessed on supported connected devices.

Can I watch Cardinals games on Paramount+?

If the Cardinals game is carried by your local CBS market, Paramount+ provides NFL on CBS coverage. The Essential plan currently starts at $8.99 per month.

Can I watch the Cardinals on FOX One?

Yes, when your local FOX station is carrying the Cardinals game. FOX says FOX One streams regional Sunday NFL games subject to market availability.

How do I watch Cardinals games if I live outside Arizona?

NFL Sunday Ticket is designed for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. You can purchase it through YouTube or combine it with YouTube TV.

How much is NFL Sunday Ticket in 2026?

YouTube currently advertises 2026 introductory pricing around $240 for qualifying new customers, with different prices for returning subscribers and special promotions. Offers can change, so check the current price before subscribing.

Are the Cardinals on Monday Night Football in 2026?

There is no currently scheduled Cardinals Monday Night Football game through Week 17.

Are the Cardinals on Thursday Night Football?

There is no currently scheduled Cardinals regular-season Thursday Night Football game through Week 17.

What is the Cardinals’ bye week?

Arizona has its bye in Week 14, after hosting Philadelphia on December 6 and before hosting the Jets on December 20.

When is the Cardinals’ first regular-season game?

Arizona opens the season against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, September 13 at 1:25 p.m. Arizona time. CBS carries the game.

Where can I listen to Cardinals games?

Arizona Sports 98.7 FM serves as a primary English-language radio home, while the team’s media page also lists Fuego 106.7 FM. NFL+ additionally provides home, away and national audio calls.

Shayan Ahmed
Shayan Ahmed is a Pakistan-based sports journalist and content writer at Surprise Sports specializing in NFL, CFL, rugby, and international sports coverage. With experience in sports journalism and sub-editing, he creates research-driven content covering player salaries, team analysis, league history, match insights, and major sporting events across global football and rugby competitions.