The Dallas Cowboys game can air on Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ABC, or Amazon Prime Video, because the network changes from week to week depending on the opponent and the time slot.
The fastest way to know today’s channel is to check the weekly schedule, then tune to the matching network or stream it without cable. Most Cowboys games kick off Sunday afternoon at 1pm or 4:25pm ET.
There is no single Cowboys channel, which is exactly why this question gets searched every week. Here is how the networks divide up the schedule and how to find the game on any given Sunday.
What Channel Is the Cowboys Game On?
It depends on the week. The NFL splits its broadcasts across several partners, and a Cowboys game lands on whichever network owns that window. As a rough guide: Fox carries most Sunday afternoon games with an NFC opponent, CBS carries Sunday afternoon games against AFC teams, NBC has Sunday Night Football, ESPN and ABC have Monday Night Football, and Amazon Prime Video has Thursday Night Football.
Because Dallas is a marquee national draw, the Cowboys appear in primetime far more than most teams, so Sunday night, Monday night, and Thursday night appearances are common. The only reliable way to know today’s channel is the weekly slate, not a fixed rule.
| Network | Which Cowboys games | How to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Fox | Most Sunday afternoon games vs NFC | Local Fox (antenna) or YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, Sling Blue, DirecTV |
| CBS | Some Sunday afternoon games vs AFC | Local CBS (antenna) or Paramount+, plus live-TV services |
| NBC | Sunday Night Football appearances | Local NBC (antenna) plus Peacock |
| ESPN / ABC | Monday Night Football appearances | ESPN via live-TV services; ABC free via antenna on simulcasts |
| Amazon Prime Video | Thursday Night Football appearances | Prime Video streaming only |
How to Find the Cowboys Game Each Week
Start with the schedule. The Cowboys’ weekly game, its kickoff time, and its network are all listed on the official team schedule and the league schedule, updated as flex scheduling shifts games. Once you know the network, match it to the table above and you have your channel.
A quick rule of thumb for the 2026 season: if it is Sunday afternoon, check Fox first, then CBS. If it is a standalone primetime night, it is NBC on Sunday, ESPN or ABC on Monday, and Prime Video on Thursday. National TV windows and flex scheduling mean a game you expected on Sunday afternoon can move to Sunday night, so confirm the day and time before you assume the channel.
How to Watch the Cowboys Game Without Cable
Every network that carries the Cowboys is reachable without a cable box. A live-TV streaming service is the most complete answer: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and ABC in most markets, which covers everything except the Thursday night Prime Video games. Sling carries a narrower set, with ESPN on Sling Orange and NBC and Fox on Sling Blue in select markets.
For the Thursday games you need Amazon Prime Video, and for the streaming-only NBC and CBS games you can use Peacock and Paramount+ respectively. If you want one plan that covers most Sundays, our guide to watching live TV online compares the services that carry all four broadcast networks.
Are Cowboys Games Free to Watch?
Often, yes. The Sunday afternoon games on Fox and CBS, and any Sunday night game on NBC, are broadcast networks that come in free over the air, so a basic antenna in the Dallas-Fort Worth market or your local market pulls them in at no cost. ABC simulcasts of Monday night games are free the same way.
The exceptions are the cable and streaming windows. The Monday night ESPN games and the Thursday night Prime Video games sit behind a subscription, with no free over-the-air option. Free trials on Prime Video and the live-TV services can cover a single game, but there is no permanent free route to the full Cowboys schedule.
Cowboys Schedule and Start Times
Most Cowboys games kick off Sunday at 1pm or 4:25pm ET, with primetime games at roughly 8:15pm to 8:20pm ET. The Thanksgiving game in Dallas is an annual fixture with its own afternoon window. Matchups and networks shift with flex scheduling, so check the official NFL schedule or the Dallas Cowboys schedule for the current week’s channel and kickoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the Cowboys game on today?
It depends on today’s matchup and time slot. Sunday afternoon games are on Fox or CBS, Sunday night is on NBC, Monday night is on ESPN or ABC, and Thursday night is on Amazon Prime Video. Check the weekly schedule to confirm today’s network.
What channel is the Dallas Cowboys game on?
There is no single Cowboys channel. The game airs on whichever network owns that week’s time slot, which can be Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, ABC, or Prime Video. The opponent and the day of the week determine the channel.
How do I find what channel the Cowboys game is on each week?
Check the official NFL schedule or the Dallas Cowboys team schedule, which list the network and kickoff time for each game. Then match the network to your provider. Flex scheduling can move games, so confirm close to game day.
Are Cowboys games on Fox or CBS?
Both, depending on the opponent. Fox carries most Sunday afternoon games when Dallas plays an NFC team, while CBS carries Sunday afternoon games against AFC opponents. Primetime games move to NBC, ESPN, ABC, or Prime Video.
How can I watch the Cowboys game without cable?
Use a live-TV streaming service such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, which carry Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and ABC in most markets. Add Amazon Prime Video for Thursday night games. An antenna also pulls in the free broadcast networks.
Can I watch the Cowboys game on Prime Video or ESPN?
Yes, when the schedule puts them there. Thursday night Cowboys games stream on Amazon Prime Video, and Monday night games are on ESPN, with some also simulcast free on ABC. These are the subscription windows rather than free broadcasts.
What time do Cowboys games start?
Sunday afternoon Cowboys games kick off at 1pm or 4:25pm ET, primetime games at about 8:15pm to 8:20pm ET, and the annual Thanksgiving game in the afternoon. Confirm the exact time on the weekly schedule, since national windows can shift kickoff.
Last updated: May 2026. We refresh this guide each NFL season as the league’s broadcast and streaming deals change.