The NFL Draft airs on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, all three carrying the event with their own coverage, and the next draft takes place in late April 2027.
You can watch it free over the air on your local ABC station, stream it on the ESPN app and NFL+, or catch it through any service that carries those networks. Round 1 starts Thursday evening in primetime.
Three national networks cover the draft at once, which is good news for cord-cutters: there is almost always a free or low-cost way in. Here is who carries it, how the three feeds differ, and how to watch every round without cable.
What Channel Is the NFL Draft On?
The NFL Draft is on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network. All three televise the event simultaneously, but with different presentation. ESPN runs its analyst-driven coverage, ABC offers a broadcast-friendly version often built around the prospects and their stories, and NFL Network provides the league’s own feed. You can watch any of the three, and they all show the same picks in real time.
The draft runs across three days. Round 1 airs Thursday in primetime, Rounds 2 and 3 air Friday evening, and Rounds 4 through 7 air Saturday afternoon. ABC and ESPN carry all three days, and NFL Network does as well, so the coverage is wall to wall.
| Provider | ESPN | ABC | Carries the Draft? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DirecTV | Ch. 206 | Local affiliate | Yes |
| Dish | Ch. 140 | Local affiliate | Yes |
| Xfinity | Varies by market | Local affiliate | Yes |
| Spectrum | Varies by market | Local affiliate | Yes |
| YouTube TV | Included | Included | Yes |
| Hulu + Live TV | Included | Included | Yes |
| Fubo | Included | Included | Yes |
| Sling | Sling Orange | Not carried | ESPN yes; ABC not on Sling |
NFL Network is the third option and is included on YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling, DirecTV, and Dish, though not on every package, so check your lineup if you specifically want the league feed.
How to Watch the NFL Draft Without Cable
The draft is one of the easier sports events to stream. The standalone ESPN app sells a direct subscription with the live ESPN channel, and ESPN+ and NFL+ both stream draft coverage as well. Live-TV services including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry ESPN and ABC, so any of them delivers all three days.
For the league’s own feed, you need a service that includes NFL Network. If you are setting up streaming around the draft and the season, our guide to watching live TV online lays out which services carry ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network together.
Is the NFL Draft Free to Watch?
Yes, more than most NFL events. Because ABC carries all three days of the draft, a basic antenna pulls in your local ABC affiliate at no cost, giving you the full event free over the air. That is the cheapest way to watch every round without a subscription.
The streaming routes through ESPN, ESPN+, or NFL+ require a subscription, though free trials can cover the draft weekend. As always, the free-stream sites that pop up around the event are pirated feeds worth avoiding when a genuinely free antenna option exists.
When Is the NFL Draft and What Time Does It Start?
The next NFL Draft is scheduled for late April 2027, following the league’s usual calendar, with the host city announced by the NFL. Round 1 typically begins around 8pm ET on Thursday, Rounds 2 and 3 around 7pm ET on Friday, and Rounds 4 through 7 around noon ET on Saturday. Confirm the dates, host city, and start times on the official NFL Draft page and ESPN’s draft coverage closer to the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the NFL Draft on?
The NFL Draft airs on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network, all three carrying the event at the same time with their own coverage. You can watch any of them, and they show the same picks live. ABC is the free over-the-air option through your local affiliate.
Is the NFL Draft on ESPN, ABC, or NFL Network?
All three. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network each televise the full draft simultaneously, with different on-air presentation. ESPN and ABC carry all three days, and NFL Network offers the league’s own feed on the services that include it.
How can I watch the NFL Draft without cable?
Use a live-TV service such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, which carry ESPN and ABC, or stream through the ESPN app, ESPN+, or NFL+. An antenna also pulls in the ABC broadcast of every round free over the air.
Is the NFL Draft free to watch?
Yes. ABC carries all three days of the draft, so an antenna gets you the full event free over the air through your local ABC affiliate. The ESPN and NFL Network streaming routes require a subscription, though free trials can cover the weekend.
When is the NFL Draft 2027?
The 2027 NFL Draft is expected in late April 2027, in line with the league’s recent scheduling, with the host city named by the NFL. The exact dates and location are confirmed on the official NFL Draft page closer to the event.
What time does the NFL Draft start?
Round 1 usually starts around 8pm ET on Thursday, Rounds 2 and 3 around 7pm ET on Friday, and Rounds 4 through 7 around noon ET on Saturday. Confirm the exact start times on the official NFL and ESPN listings in draft week.
Can I stream the NFL Draft on ESPN+?
Yes. ESPN+ streams draft coverage, as do the standalone ESPN app and NFL+. Any of them lets you follow all three days online, and live-TV services that carry ESPN and ABC work as well.
Last updated: May 2026. We refresh this guide each year ahead of the NFL Draft.