Football Today Schedule: NFL Preseason Kickoff And European Qualifiers Light Up August 13
The gridiron and the pitch collide today, August 13, 2026, as a packed schedule of live football action takes center stage. Fans can look forward to the opening matches of the NFL Preseason Week 1 alongside critical UEFA Europa League and Conference League third-round qualifying ties. Whether you are tracking American football's rising rookies or European soccer's elite, today's lineup offers high-stakes drama.
Below is the core broadcast and kickoff schedule for today's primary matchups:
| Sport/League | Matchup / Event | Kickoff Time (EST) | TV Channel / Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Preseason | New England Patriots vs. Carolina Panthers | 7:00 PM | NFL Network, DAZN, Local Broadcasts |
| NFL Preseason | Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins | 7:30 PM | ESPN+, NFL+, Regional Sports Nets |
| UEFA Europa League | Ajax vs. Panathinaikos (Qualifying) | 2:15 PM | Paramount+, Viaplay, UEFA.tv |
| UEFA Conference League | Gent vs. Silkeborg (Qualifying) | 2:30 PM | Paramount+, ESPN Play |
| Liga MX | Atlas vs. Pumas UNAM | 9:00 PM | ViX, Univision, TUDN |
Preseason Testing Grounds and Continental Survival
August represents a critical transition phase in the global sports calendar. In the United States, NFL franchises are utilizing these early mid-August matchups to evaluate roster depth and establish starting positions. Coaches will closely monitor rookie quarterbacks and bubble players fighting for the final 53-man roster spots. These games provide the vital first look at tactical adjustments implemented during summer training camps.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European clubs are fighting for survival in continental qualifiers. Securing a spot in the revamped league phases of the UEFA Europa League and Conference League is vital for both financial stability and sporting prestige. These high-tension knockout legs demand peak performance, even as teams work their way toward optimal match fitness ahead of their domestic league openers.
Where to Stream and Watch Tonight's Action Live
Navigating today’s fragmented broadcast landscape requires a clear viewing strategy. For American football fans, NFL Network and NFL+ serve as the primary hubs for out-of-market preseason games, while local affiliate networks will broadcast the games in home markets. Cord-cutters can access these channels through live TV streaming services such as FuboTV, YouTube TV, and Hulu+ Live TV.
For European soccer matches, domestic broadcasting rights dictate your viewing options:
- Paramount+ remains the exclusive home for UEFA club competition streams in the United States.
- Viaplay and TNT Sports provide extensive coverage across European territories.
- TUDN and ViX host Spanish-language coverage for Latin American fixtures and domestic league matches scheduled for late tonight.
Football schedule released at 11am today - Football - MiamiHawkTalk
Domestic Leagues Prep for Aggressive Kickoffs
Today’s action serves as the final prelude to a massive sporting weekend. The 2026/27 European soccer season begins in earnest tomorrow, with the English Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 launching their opening matchdays. Managers are treating today's continental qualifiers as a litmus test for the grueling domestic campaigns ahead.
Simultaneously, the NFL Preseason schedule will accelerate tomorrow with a massive slate of Friday night games. As August progresses, the intensity of these matchups will rapidly scale, leading directly into college football's Week 0 games later this month.
