Colts vs. Patriots: Where to live stream for free

The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots kick off the 2026 preseason on August 13 at Gillette Stadium. Viewers inside both local markets have free options through team sites and broadcast television, while national fans can test paid services that offer short windows without long contracts. The question is which route actually works on game day.

Local broadcast windows

FOX59 carries the game in the Indianapolis market. The station’s signal reaches central Indiana homes with antennas and cable subscribers alike. Colts fans outside the territory need another path.

WBZ-TV and the Patriots Preseason Network air the game across New England. Boston viewers receive the CBS affiliate over the air, while the regional network fills gaps in smaller markets. Blackout rules still apply to streaming versions.

These stations form the baseline. Any streaming plan that includes local CBS or FOX affiliates duplicates what antenna users already receive without subscriptions.

Team site streams

Colts.com offers a free “Watch Live” button for viewers inside the home territory. The stream mirrors the FOX59 feed and requires no additional login beyond the site. Outside the market, the button disappears.

The Patriots app and Patriots.com mobile site stream preseason games free of charge for New England viewers. Both iOS and Android versions carry the same feed, and the site works on Safari. Geographic restrictions remain in force.

These direct feeds give local supporters the quickest route. They also set the boundary that pushes out-of-market fans toward paid services or trials.

NFL+ subscription details

NFL+ streams every out-of-market preseason game for a monthly fee that starts at $6.99. The service carries no local blackouts for national audiences, so Colts vs Patriots reaches any subscriber on phones and tablets.

An annual plan lowers the cost to $39.99, though most preseason viewers cancel after the game. The platform also includes live NFL Network programming and condensed replays.

Subscribers receive the same picture quality as the team broadcasts. The service positions itself as the simplest paid bridge for one-off matchups like this one.

Streaming service trials

YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream each carry local CBS and FOX stations plus NFL Network. New accounts can activate three- to seven-day trials that cover the August 13 window.

Paramount+ streams the CBS portion of the schedule, giving another trial route for viewers who want only the network feed. All services require a credit card, but cancellation before the trial ends avoids charges.

These trials suit cord-cutters who already plan to test a live-TV bundle. They also duplicate what antenna users receive locally, so the value hinges on out-of-market access.

Radio and audio routes

98.5 The Sports Hub serves as the Patriots flagship station for the game. The full regional network extends coverage across New England, and SiriusXM carries a national feed on its NFL channels.

Team apps and websites often embed the radio stream alongside video options. Mobile listeners can follow play-by-play without using data-heavy video feeds.

Audio becomes the fallback when video blackouts hit or when bandwidth is limited. It also appeals to fans who want background sound during other tasks.

Geographic restrictions

Every free stream listed above blocks viewers outside its home territory. Colts.com and the Patriots app both enforce these limits through IP checks at kickoff.

NFL+ and the major live-TV services lift those blocks for paying subscribers. The difference turns on whether the viewer lives inside or outside the two team markets.

Knowing your ZIP code before game day prevents last-minute surprises. Many services display a coverage map during signup so users can confirm access in advance.

Device compatibility

Team apps support current iOS and Android phones plus tablets. The Colts.com stream works in desktop browsers inside the market, while Patriots.com limits its free feed to mobile Safari.

NFL+ runs on phones, tablets, and smart TVs through dedicated apps. Live-TV trials usually add web browsers and streaming sticks, broadening options on game night.

Viewers should test their chosen platform a day early. Firmware updates or app-store delays can interfere with kickoff timing.

Cost comparison

Free streams require only an antenna or a local ZIP code. NFL+ adds roughly seven dollars for one month of out-of-market coverage. Trial services cost nothing upfront but demand cancellation to stay free.

Annual NFL+ pricing drops the monthly rate, yet most preseason-only fans cancel after the opener. Trial services reset their clock with each new email address, though terms of service discourage that workaround.

The cheapest legal path remains the local broadcast or team site. Everything else adds cost or the risk of forgetting a subscription.

Next steps before kickoff

Confirm your market status on Colts.com or Patriots.com. Download the team apps if you live inside either territory. Test any trial service at least 24 hours ahead to avoid login issues at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Colts vs Patriots streams live on August 13 across these platforms. Choosing the right route now removes the scramble on game day.