Finding out what channel do the cowboys play on shouldn't feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt. Yet, here we are. It is January 2026, and if you are looking for the Dallas Cowboys on your TV right now, I have some news that might sting a little.
The Cowboys are not playing today.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the fans in North Texas and across the globe. After a 2025 season that can only be described as a rollercoaster of "almosts" and "what-ifs," the Cowboys finished with a 7-9-1 record. That means while other teams are currently battling it out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs this weekend—like the Bears, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks—the Cowboys are officially in "wait until next year" mode. Their season ended a couple of weeks ago with a 1 p.m. game against the New York Giants on FOX.
The Confusion Around What Channel Do the Cowboys Play On
Why is it so hard to just turn on the TV and find the game? Basically, the NFL has sliced up its broadcasting rights like a Thanksgiving turkey. Depending on the week, the time of day, and who they are playing, the Cowboys could be on four or five different networks.
If it is a Sunday afternoon, you’ve usually got two main culprits: FOX and CBS. Because the Cowboys are in the NFC, FOX is their primary "home." Most of their games against NFC rivals—think Eagles, Giants, and Commanders—will land there. However, if they are playing an AFC team like the Ravens or Texans, CBS often grabs the rights.
Then there are the "primetime" games. These are the ones that keep you up too late on a school night.
- Monday Night Football: This is strictly ESPN territory (though sometimes it's simulcast on ABC).
- Sunday Night Football: You’ll find this on NBC or streaming on Peacock.
- Thursday Night Football: This has almost entirely moved to Amazon Prime Video.
If you're asking what channel do the cowboys play on during the holidays, it gets even weirder. Dallas is a staple for Thanksgiving Day. That game is a tradition, usually rotating between FOX and CBS, but the league has been known to throw a curveball with Netflix or other streamers for special holiday windows.
Where to Find the Cowboys in 2026
Since the 2025 season is in the rearview mirror, let’s look at what we know about the 2026 schedule. The NFL won't release the official "when" (the dates and times) until May 2026, but we already know the "who" and the "where."
The Cowboys have a tough road ahead. They are scheduled to face some heavy hitters. At home at AT&T Stadium, they’ll host the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, and their usual NFC East rivals. On the road, they’ve got trips to face the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, and the Los Angeles Rams.
When those games finally kick off in September, here is the cheat sheet for your remote:
- Local FOX Station: Your best bet for 60-70% of the season.
- Local CBS Station: For those inter-conference matchups.
- ESPN/ABC: For the big Monday night spotlights.
- Amazon Prime: For the Thursday night slugfests.
Streaming is the New Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't alone. It's actually gotten a lot easier to watch the Cowboys without a massive cable bill, but you need to be strategic. Services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo carry all the local channels (FOX, CBS, NBC) and ESPN.
If you live outside of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, though, you’re dealing with "out-of-market" rules. That’s where NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV comes in. It’s the only way to guarantee you see every single Cowboys snap if you live in, say, New York or Los Angeles. Without it, you’re at the mercy of whatever the local networks decide to broadcast in your area.
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Common Misconceptions About Cowboys Broadcasts
People often think that because the Cowboys are "America's Team," every game is national. That’s not true. While they do get more national windows than almost any other team, many of their games are still "regional."
Another big one? "I can just watch it on the NFL App."
Well, sort of. The NFL+ service lets you watch live local and primetime games on your phone or tablet, but it won't let you cast that to your 65-inch TV. For the big screen experience, you still need a proper provider or a streaming stick with the right apps.
Your Game Day Checklist
To make sure you never have to scramble five minutes before kickoff, do these three things:
- Download the Dallas Cowboys Official App: They push out notifications about an hour before the game starts telling you exactly which channel is carrying the broadcast in your area.
- Check the "Coverage Map": Sites like 506 Sports post maps every Wednesday during the season. These maps show exactly which parts of the country are getting which games on FOX and CBS.
- Confirm your Logins: If the game is on Amazon Prime or Peacock, make sure you haven't been logged out. There is nothing worse than missing a first-quarter touchdown because you’re resetting a password.
The Cowboys will be back on your screen soon enough for the 2026 preseason in August. Until then, keep an eye on the NFL Draft in April—that’s the next time you’ll see the star on a major network.
Next Steps for Fans: Check your current streaming subscriptions to ensure you have access to FOX and ESPN before the 2026 schedule is released in May. If you live outside of Texas, start budgeting for the NFL Sunday Ticket early-bird pricing, which typically launches in the spring, to save on out-of-market costs.