How to watch NFL Wildcard Round 2025/26: FREE live streams, schedule, preview
One of the most head-scratching, unpredictable NFL campaigns in living memory has produced a Wildcard Round slate worthy of the name. Five of the 14 teams in the playoffs suffered at least 11 defeats last season, and three went from worst to first in their respective divisions — both NFL records.
You can watch NFL Wildcard Round live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.
2025/26 NFL Wildcard Round live streams: TV schedule, dates
The 2026 NFL Wildcard Round runs from Saturday, January 10 to Monday, January 12. Full schedule below.
• U.S. — Prime Video & FOX, CBS & NBC via YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV
• FREE STREAMS — 7Plus (Australia)
• FREE STREAMS — TVNZ Plus (New Zealand)
• FREE STREAM — 5 (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
The tie of the round is the Packers vs Bears, the arch-rivals’ third encounter in five weeks. Green Bay won a one-possession thriller in Week 14 and hasn’t tasted victory since, losing four in a row, while Chicago won a one-possession thriller in Week 16 and hasn’t tasted victory since, losing two straight. Jordan Love is back for the Packers, and it’s worth noting that this will be Caleb Williams’ first taste of the playoffs.
The 49ers vs Eagles is a clash of the last two NFC champions and the last two NFL Offensive Player of the Year winners, in Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley. Reigning champions Philadelphia should have the edge, thanks to San Fran’s league-worst pass rush, which recorded a measly 20 sacks during the regular season.
The Bills vs Jaguars should be a tasty affair, with all the pressure on Josh Allen to finally go all the way in the absence of the Chiefs and Bengals. However, he’s never won a playoff game on the road, and Jacksonville is riding an eight-game winning streak.
The Texans have gone one better with nine wins in a row, and they’re a dark horse for the title thanks to a defense that’s the envy of every team in the league. Aaron Rodgers may have more playoff wins to his name than every other quarterback in the AFC playoff field combined, but this could be curtains once and for all for the future Hall of Famer.
Here’s how to watch NFL Wildcard Round 2025/26 from anywhere in the world, and potentially for free.
Can I watch the NFL Wildcard Round free of charge?
All six games of the 2025/26 NFL Wildcard Round are free-to-air in Australia, courtesy of 7Plus, and New Zealand, thanks to TVNZ Plus. The Bills vs Jaguars game is also free-to-air in the U.K., on 5.
Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Use a VPN to watch NFL Wildcard Round for free — we’ll show you how below.
NFL Wildcard Round schedule 2025/26
Saturday, January 10
4:30 p.m. — Rams vs Panthers (FOX, Fox One)
8 p.m. — Packers vs Bears (Prime Video)
Sunday, January 11
1 p.m. — Bills vs Jaguars (CBS, Paramount Plus)
4:30 p.m. — 49ers vs Eagles (FOX, Fox One)
8 p.m. — Chargers vs Patriots (NBC, Peacock)
Monday, January 12
8 p.m. — Texans vs Steelers (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited)
(All times ET)
Watch NFL Wildcard Round 2025/26 from anywhere
Away from home and blocked from watching the 2025/26 NFL Wildcard Round?
You can still watch your usual gridiron live streams thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It’s the best on the market:
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch the free NFL coverage on 7Plus, choose ‘Australia’ from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to 7Plus, sign in, and watch every NFL Wildcard Round game live.
How to watch NFL Wildcard Round live streams in the U.S.
In the U.S., NFL Wildcard coverage is split between mutiple channels and streaming services, including FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox One, Paramount Plus, Peacock, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited and Prime Video.
The Packers vs Bears is exclusive to Prime Video, which costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
A single subscription to one of the best cable TV alternatives will let you watch each of the other five games.
YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV each carry FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.
YouTube TV usually costs $82.99/month. But right now you can get your first five months for $67.99/month.
Hulu + Live TV starts at $89.99/month after a 3-day FREE trial, and comes bundled with Disney Plus and ESPN Select.
Click through for more options ▼
Fubo includes FOX, CBS, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 in its Sports + News plan. It usually costs $55.99/month, but you’ll get your first month for $45.99 after a 7-day FREE trial. The only channel is doesn’t have is NBC.
Sling carries ESPN and ESPN2 on its Orange plan, and ABC, FOX and NBC on its Blue plan (in select markets). Sling Orange costs $4.99/day, $9.99 for three days, $14.99/week, $45.99/month or $115/quarter, while Blue starts at $45.99/month, but you can get your first month of Sling Blue half-price.
Sling Orange gives you the best of both worlds for $60.99/month, after 50% off your first month.
FOX simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on FOX One, which costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year after a 7-day FREE trial.
CBS simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on Paramount Plus, which starts at $7.99/month or $59.99/year after a 7-day FREE trial.
NBC simulcasts its coverage of NFL games on Peacock, which starts at $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but for a limited time you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99/month for 12 months, after which it’ll cost $35.99/month.
Not at home right now? You can access your preferred service through NordVPN.
How to watch NFL Wildcard Round live streams in Canada
In Canada, all six NFL Wildcard games are being shown on TSN. A TSN Plus subscription grants access to everything TSN has to offer for just CA$8/month or CA$80/year.
Every game is also being shown on the Canadian NFL Game Pass, which comes included with a standard DAZN subscription. DAZN starts at CA$24.99/month.
If you’re outside Canada but have a subscription, you can watch the NFL Wildcard Round with the aid of a VPN, such as NordVPN.
How to watch NFL Wildcard Round live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., the Bills vs Jaguars game is free-to-air on Channel 5 and the 5 streaming service.
However, all six NFL Wildcard Round games are being shown on NFL Game Pass on DAZN, which live streams every fixture. A subscription is down to just £19.99 for the rest of the season.
Sky Sports is also showing all six NFL Wildcard Round games.
Packages start from £22/month if you’re an existing customer — or check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.
If you’re not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to one of these services, try using NordVPN to watch the NFL Wildcard Round as if you were back at home.
How to watch NFL Wildcard Round live streams in Australia
In Australia, all six NFL Wildcard Round games are free-to-air on 7Mate and the 7Plus streaming service.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the NFL Wildcard action on your account as if you were back home.
They’re also available to watch on NFL Game Pass on DAZN, which costs AU$29.99 for the rest of the season, ESPN via Foxtel, Kayo Sports, which lets you choose between a 7-day FREE trial and 1 month for AU$1, and Disney Plus, which starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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