NFL on 5: TV coverage details, schedule and which live games are free this weekend

The new NFL season has arrived, bringing a shake-up to free-to-air coverage for UK viewers.

5 remains the terrestrial home of American Football this side of the Atlantic but they've rebranded their Sunday night flagship show in time for the new campaign.

NFL Game Night on 5, which combined coverage of matches with a live gameshow, proved divisive among UK fans of the sport and has been replaced.

The broadcaster still has two matches every Sunday but the new show, NFL on 5, will have a refreshed format – with expert analysis and celebrity guests – and be centred around the primetime 9:25pm match.

Dermot O'Leary returns to host, alongside Sam Quek and Osi Umenyiora, but the coverage will have a different feel this year, which is likely to go down well with diehard fans.

Speaking exclusively to Radio Times, O'Leary said: "Our whole thing is to try and make a show that entertains and informs, but at the same time, you inform with a level and degree of respect for NFL fans, such as myself, who don't need to be taught that you know you've got four chances to go 10 yards.

"At the same time, I'm in there because I am a fan and I'm not a sports broadcaster with a capital S. What I like about our coverage and the identity of the show is that we've got Osi (Umenyiora) and Efe (Obada), guys that have played the game and in Osi's case, won two Super Bowls.

"I'm so interested in what's going on in the players' minds, what it's like to work for a new coach, the mentality of the game and the traditions of the game. You know you're going to get great analysis of the game but for me, it's all about telling the story. I love sport because I love stories; I love the unpredictability. That's what I hope we bring into it."

Radio Times brings you all the details about 5's NFL coverage this season.

How to watch NFL on 5

5 will show two NFL games per week across its platforms every Sunday during the regular season, starting on Sunday 10 September.

The schedule will see one game from the 6pm UK time slot shown on 5Action and then one of the 9:25pm primetime kick-offs shown live on 5, which will be the focus of the new show, NFL on 5. All games will also be live streamed on the 5 website.

All six of the 2026 international games taking place in Europe, including the three in the UK, will also be live on 5.

Sunday 13 September

• Indianapolis Colts v Baltimore Ravens (6pm) 5Action

• Minnesota Vikings v Green Bay Packers (9:25pm) 5

Sunday 20 September

• Houston Texans v Cincinnati Bengals (6pm) 5Action

• Dallas Cowboys v Washington Commanders (9:25pm) 5

Sunday 27 September

• Jacksonville Jaguars v New England Patriots (6pm) 5Action

• Baltimore Ravens v Dallas Cowboys (9:25pm) 5

Sunday 4 October

• Indianapolis Colts v Washington Commanders (2:30pm) 5

• Buffalo Bills v New England Patriots (6pm) 5Action

• San Francisco 49ers v Denver Broncos (9:25pm) 5

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Watch or stream for free on 5 – NFL on 5 from 5:30pm, Sunday 13 September.

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Authors

Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.