Miami Dolphins fans are getting something genuinely different in 2026. A new head coach. A new starting quarterback. A significantly different roster. And a schedule that, unlike many NFL teams, is built almost entirely around traditional Sunday football. Jeff Hafley takes over in Miami, while Malik Willis leads a new-look Dolphins offense. Tua Tagovailoa is now in Atlanta, making this the beginning of a very different chapter in South Florida.
Watching that new era is relatively straightforward if you’re in the Miami market. It becomes more complicated for Dolphins fans living elsewhere, where local CBS and FOX affiliates may show another team. Travel creates another issue. If you’re away from home and a streaming service restricts what you can access based on your location, a VPN may help unblock access to the streaming services you normally use.
Where to Watch Dolphins Games in 2026
Miami’s schedule is unusually straightforward this year. There are currently no scheduled Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football games on the Dolphins’ regular-season calendar. Instead, all 17 games are currently scheduled for Sunday, with most airing regionally on CBS or FOX. That means your location matters.
- CBS and FOX carry Miami’s regional Sunday games.
- NFL Sunday Ticket carries eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games when your local CBS or FOX affiliate is showing something else.
- Traveling? A VPN can be useful for accessing your normal streaming services while you’re away from home.
For Dolphins fans, 2026 isn’t really about keeping track of six different streaming subscriptions. It’s about figuring out which Sunday broadcast you’re getting where you are.
Miami Dolphins 2026 Schedule and TV Channels
Miami opens with consecutive road games before returning to Hard Rock Stadium for a Week 3 home opener against Kansas City. The Dolphins have a Week 6 bye and finish with Buffalo and New England.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 13 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | at San Francisco 49ers | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | at Minnesota Vikings | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 6 | — | BYE | — | — |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | at New York Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | vs. New England Patriots | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | vs. Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | at Indianapolis Colts | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 22 | at Buffalo Bills | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | vs. New York Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | at Denver Broncos | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 14 | Dec. 13 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | at Green Bay Packers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 16 | Dec. 27 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 17 | Jan. 3 | vs. Buffalo Bills | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 or 10 | at New England Patriots | TBD | TBD |
Several late-season games remain eligible for flex scheduling, and the NFL will announce the Week 18 kickoff time and network later.
Which Dolphins Fan Are You?
Instead of giving everyone the same answer, start with where you’re actually watching.
You’re Watching From South Florida
This is the easiest setup. Most Dolphins games are regional CBS or FOX broadcasts in 2026. If Miami is the game selected by your local affiliate, you can watch through that station using your existing TV or streaming setup.
You Live Hundreds of Miles From Miami
Being a Dolphins fan doesn’t necessarily mean living anywhere near Florida. If Miami isn’t the game selected by your local CBS or FOX station, NFL Sunday Ticket is designed for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. And that’s particularly relevant this year. Because Miami currently has no scheduled primetime games, regional Sunday coverage plays an unusually large role in how out-of-market Dolphins fans watch the season.
You’re Traveling on Game Day
This is where the problem changes. Maybe Miami is normally available through the services you already use, but now you’re in another state or country and your streaming service is showing something different—or isn’t available at all. A VPN can help you access your usual streaming services while traveling and may help unblock a service when its availability changes because of your current location.
Meet a Very Different Miami Dolphins Team
This isn’t simply last year’s Dolphins team taking another shot. Jeff Hafley is Miami’s head coach in 2026, with Bobby Slowik running the offense and Sean Duggan coordinating the defense. The change at quarterback is even more noticeable. Malik Willis is leading Miami’s new-look offense, and Dolphins fans got their first preseason look at the starters against Washington in August. Willis completed four of five passes for 43 yards on Miami’s opening touchdown drive, which ended with a De’Von Achane rushing score.
Achane remains one of the most important weapons in the offense, while Jaylen Waddle gives Miami an established target in the passing game. Miami also used premium 2026 draft capital on players including offensive tackle Kayden Proctor and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez as the roster continues its transition. It’s a substantial reset. That makes the first few Sundays worth watching for a reason that has nothing to do with playoff projections: we’re going to find out what this version of Dolphins football actually looks like.
The First Five Weeks Should Tell Us Plenty
Miami’s opening stretch is one of the more interesting features of the schedule. The Dolphins start with four of their first five games against teams that reached the playoffs in 2025, and the first two are on the road. Overall, Miami has nine games against seven teams that made last year’s postseason. It starts in Las Vegas. Then comes a trip across the country to San Francisco.
Only after those two road games does Miami get its home opener—and Kansas City is waiting at Hard Rock Stadium. Minnesota follows on the road before Cincinnati comes to Miami in Week 5. Then the bye arrives. For a team introducing a new head coach, quarterback and system, that’s a useful early measuring stick. By the time Miami reaches Week 6, Dolphins fans should have a much better idea of what the reset actually produced.
Can a VPN Unblock Dolphins Streams?
Sometimes a streaming service may restrict access because of where you’re currently located.
A VPN changes the IP address associated with your connection, so ExpressVPN may help you unblock access to a streaming service you already use when you’re traveling.
That doesn’t mean a VPN magically provides every Dolphins game.
You still need access to the appropriate broadcaster, and streaming services can use other methods besides an IP address to determine availability.
For a Dolphins fan permanently living outside South Florida, NFL Sunday Ticket remains the dedicated option for eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
For someone who normally has their streaming setup figured out and is simply traveling, a VPN solves a different problem.
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How to Watch Dolphins Games With a VPN
If you’re traveling, using a VPN is relatively simple.
- Install ExpressVPN on the device you’re taking with you.
- Connect to an appropriate VPN server for your location and streaming service.
- Check the schedule above to see whether Miami is playing on CBS or FOX.
- Open the streaming service you already use and sign in.
- Find the Dolphins game and start watching.
You’ll still need access to the broadcaster carrying the game. A VPN doesn’t replace your TV or streaming subscription.
Dolphins Streaming & VPN Questions
Miami’s currently announced regular-season games are overwhelmingly split between CBS and FOX, with Week 18 still to be determined.
A VPN can help when you’re traveling and your normal streaming service is restricted because of your current location. Connect to an appropriate VPN server and open the service you already use. You’ll still need a valid subscription or other access to the broadcaster carrying the Dolphins game.
Sunday afternoon NFL coverage is regional. Your local affiliate receives specific games based on the NFL’s broadcast distribution, so living outside South Florida can mean getting another team’s game instead of Miami.
Watching the Dolphins Outside Florida: Blackouts and Unblocking
Being outside Florida can change which Sunday afternoon NFL game your local CBS or FOX affiliate carries. If Miami isn’t being shown, check whether the Dolphins are out of market and eligible for NFL Sunday Ticket. Travel can create a different issue. If you normally have access to the correct streaming service but it becomes unavailable because of your temporary location, a VPN may help unblock your Dolphins stream. Checking whether you’re dealing with regional coverage or a location restriction should always come before trying to solve a Dolphins blackout.
Keep the Dolphins Schedule Handy
The viewing setup for Miami is simpler than it is for many NFL teams this year. But that also makes where you are more important. If you’re in South Florida, check the local CBS or FOX broadcast. Out-of-market Dolphins fans, can check whether the game is available locally or through Sunday Ticket.
If you’re traveling, have your normal streaming apps and VPN ready before kickoff. And remember that the schedule isn’t completely set in stone. Late-season games can move, and Miami’s Week 18 trip to New England still doesn’t have a finalized kickoff time or network. We’ll keep the schedule above current as those details change. Bookmark this page, check the broadcast before kickoff, and spend Sunday worrying about the Dolphins—not where to find them.
