How to Watch the 2026-27 NFL Playoffs on DIRECTV
The NFL playoffs for the 2026 season start with Wild Card Weekend on January 16-18, 2027, and end with Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Fourteen teams make the field, seven from each conference, and the No. 1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye. Almost every playoff game airs on a broadcast network or ESPN, so a DIRECTV package with local channels and ESPN covers nearly the whole postseason. Matchups, kickoff times and most game-by-game TV assignments are still to be announced and will be set after Week 18 ends on January 10.
2026-27 NFL playoff dates
| Round | Dates | Games | TV partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Weekend | Sat.-Mon., Jan. 16-18, 2027 | 6 | CBS, FOX, NBC and Peacock, ESPN and ABC, and Prime Video; game assignments TBA |
| Divisional Playoffs | Sat.-Sun., Jan. 23-24 | 4 | Networks TBA (NBC has one Divisional game) |
| AFC and NFC Championships | Sun., Jan. 31 | 2 | AFC on CBS, NFC on FOX; times TBA |
| Super Bowl LXI | Sun., Feb. 14 | 1 | ABC and ESPN; kickoff time TBA |
NBC Sports says it has two Wild Card games, including the Sunday night game on January 17, plus one Divisional game, all on NBC and Peacock. Prime Video has one Wild Card game. Super Bowl LXI airs on ABC and ESPN, and Disney+ is set to stream it.
Where to find playoff games on DIRECTV
| Network | On DIRECTV |
|---|---|
| CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC | Your local stations, included where DIRECTV offers local channels at your address |
| ESPN | Channel 206 |
| NFL Network | Channel 212 (CHOICE and higher) |
| Prime Video | App on DIRECTV Gemini devices; separate Prime Video subscription |
| Peacock | App on DIRECTV Gemini devices; separate Peacock Premium subscription |
The Prime Video Wild Card game will also air on local TV in the two teams' home markets, under the NFL's rule that streamed games are shown over the air in those markets.
What about NFL Sunday Ticket?
NFL Sunday Ticket covers out-of-market regular-season Sunday afternoon games only, so it doesn't include any playoff games. It's sold by YouTube, not DIRECTV, for homes. Local channels and ESPN cover most playoff games. Outside the participating teams' home markets, the Prime Video Wild Card game requires access to Prime Video. See NFL on DIRECTV for the regular-season channel guide.
Frequently asked questions
When do the 2026-27 NFL playoffs start?
Wild Card Weekend is Saturday, January 16, through Monday, January 18, 2027.
When and where is Super Bowl LXI?
Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. ABC and ESPN have the broadcast. Kickoff time has not been announced.
Are any NFL playoff games streaming only?
Prime Video has one Wild Card game. It also airs on local TV in the two teams' home markets.
What channel is the Super Bowl on DIRECTV?
Super Bowl LXI airs on your local ABC station and on ESPN, channel 206.
Do I need NFL Sunday Ticket for the playoffs?
No. Sunday Ticket doesn't include playoff games. Local channels and ESPN cover almost every game.
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Details reviewed October 30, 2026. Matchups, kickoff times, broadcast assignments and package contents can change. DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. AmericanTV.com is an independent dealer and resource site.