The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t simply entering another season in 2026. They’re trying to build something new. Klint Kubiak takes over as head coach, Kirk Cousins joins the quarterback room, and Las Vegas used the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza arrives with about as impressive a final college season as a quarterback can have. He led Indiana to a 16-0 record and national championship, threw 41 touchdown passes and won the Heisman Trophy before becoming the first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
And he wasn’t Las Vegas’ only draft addition. The Raiders made 10 selections, adding young players throughout the defense and offensive line as they reshape the roster around a new coaching staff. That gives Raiders fans plenty to follow this season—and if you don’t live around Las Vegas, figuring out where to watch can require a little planning. Many Raiders games fall into regional CBS and FOX windows. Your local station isn’t guaranteed to show Las Vegas just because you have the network.
If you’re traveling, a VPN can also help you access the streaming services you normally use and may help unblock access when location restrictions get in the way. Here’s how to follow the new-look Raiders throughout 2026.
What Changed in Las Vegas This Offseason?
Quite a lot. And that’s probably the best place to start before worrying about the schedule.
Klint Kubiak Takes Over
The Raiders are beginning 2026 with a new head coach and a new direction. Klint Kubiak takes over in Las Vegas after serving as Seattle’s offensive coordinator during its Super Bowl-winning season. For a team simultaneously bringing in a potential franchise quarterback, the timing is particularly interesting. Kubiak isn’t simply inheriting last year’s Raiders. He’s getting an opportunity to shape what the next version looks like.
Kirk Cousins Joins the Quarterback Room
The arrival of Fernando Mendoza doesn’t mean the Raiders are relying exclusively on a rookie quarterback. Las Vegas also added veteran Kirk Cousins. Cousins entered training camp working as the starting quarterback, while Mendoza moved up to second-team work after initially working with the third unit during OTAs and minicamp. That gives the Raiders options. Cousins brings extensive NFL experience. Mendoza gives Las Vegas a quarterback it just invested the most valuable pick in the draft to acquire. How that transition develops could become one of the stories that defines the entire Raiders season.
The Raiders Drafted More Than a Quarterback
Mendoza will understandably receive most of the attention. But Las Vegas had 10 picks in the 2026 draft, and much of the class was spent building around him rather than simply celebrating the No. 1 selection. After taking Mendoza, the Raiders selected:
- Treydan Stukes — Safety — No. 38
- Keyron Crawford — Defensive End — No. 67
- Trey Zuhn III — Guard — No. 91
- Jermod McCoy — Cornerback — No. 101
- Mike Washington Jr. — Running Back — No. 122
The Raiders then added Dalton Johnson, Zeke Masses, Malik Benson and Brandon Cleveland later in the draft. It’s an interesting mix. Las Vegas used premium picks on the secondary and defensive front while also adding an offensive lineman, running back and eventually another receiver. The obvious long-term question is whether Mendoza becomes the quarterback the Raiders have been searching for. But the success of this draft class could ultimately depend on considerably more than one player.
Las Vegas Raiders 2026 Schedule and TV Channels
The Raiders open at Allegiant Stadium against Miami before playing two consecutive road games. Their bye doesn’t arrive until Week 13.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (PT) | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 13 | vs. Miami Dolphins | 1:25 PM | FOX |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | at Los Angeles Chargers | 1:05 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | at New Orleans Saints | 1:25 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 1:25 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | at New England Patriots | 10:00 AM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 6 | Oct. 18 | vs. Buffalo Bills | 1:25 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | 1:25 PM | FOX |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | at New York Jets | 10:00 AM | FOX |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | at San Francisco 49ers | 1:05 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | 1:05 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 11 | Nov. 22 | at Denver Broncos | 1:25 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | at Cleveland Browns | 10:00 AM | FOX |
| 13 | — | BYE | — | — |
| 14 | Dec. 13 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | 1:05 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | vs. Denver Broncos | 1:25 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 16 | Dec. 27 | vs. Tennessee Titans | 1:05 PM | FOX |
| 17 | Jan. 3 | at Arizona Cardinals | 1:05 PM | CBS / Paramount+ |
| 18 | TBD | at Kansas City Chiefs | TBD | TBD |
Week 18’s date, kickoff time and television network will be announced later. Late-season games can also move through NFL flex scheduling.
Regional Coverage Matters for Raider Nation
The Raiders’ fanbase doesn’t stop at the Nevada state line. The franchise’s history in Oakland and Los Angeles means plenty of Raiders fans still live throughout California, and Raider Nation extends much farther across the country. That makes regional NFL coverage particularly important. Having CBS or FOX doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive the Raiders game.
During regional Sunday windows, your local affiliate may be assigned another matchup. A Raiders fan living in another part of the country could therefore turn on CBS at kickoff and find two completely different teams. For eligible Sunday afternoon games that aren’t available through your local CBS or FOX affiliate, NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary out-of-market option. If you’re traveling rather than permanently living outside the Raiders market, that’s a different situation—and that’s where a VPN can fit in.
How to Watch Raiders Games With a VPN
If you’re away from home during the season, a VPN can help you access the streaming services you normally use while traveling. Here’s the setup we’d use.
1. Install ExpressVPN
In our opinion, ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Raiders fans who travel. Install it on your streaming device, laptop, tablet or phone before your trip.
2. Connect to a Server
Open ExpressVPN and choose an appropriate server for your location and streaming setup.
3. Find the Raiders Broadcast
Check the schedule above to see which network is carrying the game. Remember that regional CBS and FOX availability can differ depending on where you’re located.
4. Open Your Streaming Service
Sign into the service you normally use. If travel has caused a location-based restriction, using a VPN may help unblock access to your usual streaming service.
5. Watch the Raiders
That’s it. You’ll still need legitimate access to the broadcaster carrying the game. A VPN doesn’t replace CBS, FOX, Paramount+ or NFL Sunday Ticket. ExpressVPN also encrypts your internet connection, which makes it useful when you’re using hotel, airport or other unfamiliar Wi-Fi while traveling.
Affiliate Disclosure: VPNForSports may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
A Raiders Game That Will Feel Familiar to California Fans
One date stands out for reasons that have little to do with the standings.
November 8 — Raiders at 49ers
The Raiders travel to Levi’s Stadium to face San Francisco in Week 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. For Northern California Raiders fans, it’s an unusual opportunity. The franchise may play in Las Vegas now, but its Oakland history hasn’t disappeared—and neither have the generations of Raiders fans who still live in the Bay Area. That makes this more than another road game on the schedule. For some members of Raider Nation, it may be the easiest opportunity all season to see Las Vegas in person.
Raiders Streaming Questions
NFL Sunday afternoon broadcasts are regional. Your local CBS or FOX affiliate may have been assigned another game. If you live outside the Raiders market, NFL Sunday Ticket carries eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games.
Yes, if you’re encountering a location restriction while traveling, changing your IP location with a VPN may help.
Yes, although NFL broadcast availability varies by country. If you’re a U.S. viewer temporarily traveling abroad, a VPN can help you access streaming services you already use. Fans who permanently live overseas should check the official NFL viewing options available in their country.
Don’t Forget: Raiders Kickoff Times Are Pacific
There’s one simple thing that can trip up Raiders fans living elsewhere in the country. The schedule above is listed in Pacific Time. A 10:00 a.m. Raiders road game is a normal 1:00 p.m. kickoff on the East Coast. A 1:25 p.m. game at Allegiant Stadium starts at 4:25 p.m. Eastern. And if you’re traveling internationally, the difference can obviously become much larger. Before assuming the Raiders aren’t showing up in your streaming app, check both the network and kickoff time where you’re actually watching.
Watch the New Raiders Take Shape
There’s no need to manufacture a single storyline for Las Vegas in 2026. There are already plenty.
- How quickly does Kubiak change the offense?
- What does Cousins bring to the quarterback room?
- When does Mendoza get his opportunity—and what does the No. 1 pick look like when it arrives?
- How many players from this 10-man draft class become part of the Raiders’ next core?
Those aren’t questions that will be answered in one Sunday. That’s part of the reason to keep watching.
