The conversation around the Denver Broncos has changed. A couple of years ago, getting back to the playoffs represented progress. In 2025, Denver went 14-3, won the AFC West, earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed and reached the AFC Championship Game. Now the question is how much further this team can go. Bo Nix is back for Year 3 after recovering from the ankle injury that ended his postseason early, Sean Payton has signed a new contract through 2030, and Denver enters 2026 as a team opponents aren’t going to overlook anymore.
The Broncos’ television schedule reflects those expectations, too. Denver has games on ESPN/ABC, NBC, Prime Video and Netflix in addition to the usual CBS and FOX coverage. And if you’re traveling during the season, a VPN can help you access the streaming services you normally use while you’re away from home.
Here’s what Broncos fans need to know for 2026.
What Does the Next Step Look Like for Denver?
Denver isn’t trying to prove it belongs in the playoff conversation anymore. The Broncos already did that. After returning to the postseason in 2024, Denver took a much larger step in 2025. The Broncos tied a franchise record with 14 regular-season wins, captured their first AFC West title in a decade and earned the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Then came the playoffs. Denver defeated Buffalo 33-30 in overtime in the Divisional Round, earning the franchise’s first playoff victory in a decade and a trip to the AFC Championship Game. Unfortunately, that win also changed the rest of the postseason. Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury late against Buffalo and couldn’t play in the AFC Championship Game.
He’s back now. Nix returned to training camp without limitations and said in August that he felt normal and that nothing was holding him back. That’s significant because Denver’s third-year quarterback has already shown an ability to deliver when games get tight. Nix led the NFL with seven game-winning drives in 2025, while throwing for 3,931 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season. The next step is obvious. Denver has shown it can reach January. Now they wants to play through January.
Denver Broncos 2026 Schedule and TV Channels
Success also means getting everyone’s attention. Denver plays five games in standalone broadcast windows in 2026, including three early primetime appearances plus games on Black Friday and Christmas Day.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (MT) | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 14 | at Kansas City Chiefs | 6:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | 2:05 PM | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | 6:20 PM | NBC |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | at San Francisco 49ers | 2:25 PM | CBS |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | at Los Angeles Chargers | 2:05 PM | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | 6:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | at Arizona Cardinals | 2:05 PM | CBS |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 2:25 PM | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | at Carolina Panthers | 11:00 AM | CBS |
| 10 | — | BYE | — | — |
| 11 | Nov. 22 | vs. Las Vegas Raiders | 2:25 PM | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 27 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 PM | Prime Video |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | vs. Miami Dolphins | 2:05 PM | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 13 | at New York Jets | 11:00 AM | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 2:25 PM | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 25 | vs. Buffalo Bills | 2:30 PM | Netflix |
| 17 | Jan. 2 or 3 | at New England Patriots | TBD | TBD |
| 18 | Jan. 9 or 10 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | TBD | TBD |
The NFL will finalize the Week 17 and Week 18 details later in the season, and other late-season games can potentially be affected by flex scheduling.
Can Denver Build on 2025?
That’s really the question hanging over this entire season. The Broncos didn’t sneak into the playoffs last year. They finished 14-3, won their division, and secured home-field advantage. And they came within one game of reaching the Super Bowl. There’s also continuity at the top. Denver signed Sean Payton to a new five-year contract through the 2030 season, giving the organization long-term stability around the coach who oversaw its turnaround. But maintaining success may be harder than achieving it the first time. Denver’s 2026 schedule includes 10 games against teams that made the playoffs last season. Five of those opponents appear within the Broncos’ first six games.
Nix has acknowledged the difference himself: Denver enters this season with a target on its back after winning 14 games and taking the AFC’s top seed.
That’s what makes 2026 interesting. The Broncos aren’t chasing respect anymore. They’re trying to prove 2025 wasn’t their ceiling.
A Christmas Rematch With Buffalo
There’s one game on the schedule that’s difficult to ignore.
Bills at Broncos — Christmas Day — Netflix
Buffalo returns to Denver on December 25 for a rematch of last season’s Divisional Round thriller. The previous meeting ended 33-30 in overtime and sent Denver to the AFC Championship Game. It was also the game in which Nix suffered the ankle injury that ended his postseason.
This time, the teams meet on Christmas. The game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. MT and will stream on Netflix, making it different from the CBS-heavy portion of Denver’s regular-season schedule. Broncos fans won’t need to wonder which regional affiliate has the game. They’ll need Netflix.
Denver Broncos — Blackout Checklist
Broncos Game Blacked Out? Check These First
Before troubleshooting, ask:
- Is another NFL game on CBS or FOX? The Broncos may simply be out of market. Check Sunday Ticket eligibility.
- Is the Broncos game on another broadcaster? Use the network or streaming service listed in the schedule.
- Did your normal stream stop working after you traveled? You may be dealing with a geo-restriction. A VPN may help unblock your normal Broncos streaming service.
This quick check can tell you whether you’re dealing with an actual location restriction or simply regional NFL coverage.
Our VPN Choice for Broncos Fans
If you’re traveling during the Broncos season, our choice is ExpressVPN. In our opinion, it’s a strong fit for Broncos fans because of three things:
- Fast connections suited to live streaming
- U.S. and international server coverage
- Easy-to-use apps across popular devices
A VPN can help you access the streaming services you normally use while traveling, and it encrypts your connection when you’re using hotel, airport or other unfamiliar Wi-Fi.
We’ll show you exactly how we’d set it up for a Broncos game at the bottom of this guide.
Affiliate Disclosure: VPNForSports may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Following the Broncos Beyond the Broadcast
Colorado Broncos fans also have access to a mature regulated online sportsbook market. If that’s part of how you follow NFL Sundays, we’ve created separate guides for two of the biggest platforms rather than turning this page into a sportsbook article.
Those guides cover the VPN, location and platform questions in much more detail, while this page stays focused on watching Denver.
Broncos Viewing Questions
Sunday afternoon NFL broadcasts are regional. Your local CBS or FOX affiliate may be assigned another matchup, particularly if you live outside the Broncos’ normal television market. For eligible out-of-market Sunday afternoon games that aren’t shown by your local affiliate, NFL Sunday Ticket is the primary U.S. option.
First, check which service actually has the game. Denver plays across several different networks and streaming services in 2026. If you normally have access but the service has become unavailable because you’re traveling, connecting to an appropriate VPN server may help you access your usual streaming setup.
It may help when access changes because of your current location. ExpressVPN changes the IP address associated with your connection, which can help unblock access to streaming services you already use while traveling. You’ll still need a valid account or subscription for the service carrying the game.
Ready for Kickoff? How to Watch the Broncos With a VPN
If you’re traveling when Denver plays, get everything ready before the opening kickoff.
- Check the Broncos Schedule: Start with the table above. Denver games appear on CBS, ESPN/ABC, NBC, Prime Video, Netflix and other networks throughout the season. Know which service you need before doing anything else.
- Open ExpressVPN: Install ExpressVPN on the device you’re using to watch. Then connect to an appropriate VPN server for your location and streaming setup.
- Open Your Normal Streaming Service: Launch the service carrying the Broncos game and sign into the account you already use. If traveling was causing a location-based restriction, the VPN may help you unblock access to your normal streaming service.
- Find Denver and Start Watching: That’s it. A VPN doesn’t replace CBS, Netflix, Prime Video, ESPN or another subscription. You’ll still need access to the service carrying the game.
The goal is simply to have your normal streaming setup working when you’re away from home.
Set it up before kickoff—especially if you’re traveling—so you’re not troubleshooting your stream while Bo Nix and the Broncos are already on their opening drive.
