The NFL is on 5 today with three live games for UK viewers, including the first NFL London game of 2026. Here’s what time each game starts, which channel it’s on and how to watch for free.
NFL fans in the UK have a packed Sunday ahead, with three live NFL games available free-to-air across 5 and 5Action today (Sunday, October 4).
The afternoon starts with the Indianapolis Colts taking on the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before the evening schedule continues with the New England Patriots against the Buffalo Bills and then the Denver Broncos against the San Francisco 49ers.
Normally, 5 shows two NFL games on Sundays during the regular season, but the three London games being played in the UK are also included in its free-to-air coverage.
So, if you’re searching for NFL on Channel 5 today, here’s the full schedule.
What NFL games are on Channel 5 today?
There are three NFL games on 5 and 5Action today:
| Game | UK kick-off | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders | 2:30pm | 5 |
| New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills | 6:00pm | 5Action |
| Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers | 9:25pm | 5 |
The schedule is confirmed by the NFL, with all three games available as part of the UK’s free-to-air coverage.
What time is the NFL on Channel 5 today?
The first game gets underway at 2:30pm, with the Indianapolis Colts facing the Washington Commanders in London.
The second game starts at 6pm, when the New England Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills. That game is being shown on 5Action.
Then, from 9pm, 5’s main NFL programme gets underway ahead of the 9:25pm kick-off between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.
The NFL’s 2026 UK coverage has been rebranded as NFL On 5, with the 9pm primetime game at the heart of the broadcaster’s Sunday-night coverage.
Is NFL on Channel 5 free today?
Yes.
The NFL games selected for 5’s UK coverage are available free-to-air, so you do not need a Sky Sports subscription to watch today’s games on 5 or 5Action.
The games are also available to stream through 5’s online service.
For the 2026 season, 5 is showing two regular-season NFL games every Sunday across its platforms: one game from the 6pm slot on 5Action and one of the 9:25pm games on 5.
The three NFL London games are also being shown live on 5, giving UK viewers additional free-to-air NFL action on those Sundays.
Colts vs Commanders – 2:30pm on 5
The first game of the day is arguably the biggest draw for UK viewers as the NFL London Games return.
The Indianapolis Colts face the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with kick-off at 2:30pm.
It is the first of three NFL games being played in London during October.
The next two London fixtures are:
- Philadelphia Eagles vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday, October 11, 2:30pm
- Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sunday, October 18, 2:30pm
Both are also scheduled to be shown live on 5.
Today’s Colts-Commanders game is therefore a particularly useful one to know about if you’re looking for NFL on TV in the UK this afternoon.
Patriots vs Bills – 6pm on 5Action
At 6pm, the NFL action switches to 5Action for the New England Patriots against the Buffalo Bills.
It is the 6pm game selected for 5’s free-to-air Sunday coverage this week.
For viewers searching specifically for what NFL is on 5Action today, this is the game to watch.
The Patriots and Bills are both part of the AFC East, adding a divisional angle to the evening fixture.
Broncos vs 49ers – 9:25pm on 5
The final game of the day is Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers, with kick-off at 9:25pm.
This is the main primetime game in 5’s NFL coverage and forms the centrepiece of the new NFL On 5 programme.
The NFL confirmed that Dermot O’Leary has joined Osi Umenyiora and Sam Quek to front the 9pm show during the 2026 season.
So if you’re looking for the answer to “what NFL game is on Channel 5 tonight?”, it’s Broncos vs 49ers.
How to watch NFL on 5 today
UK viewers can watch today’s selected NFL games through 5 and 5Action, with the games also available to stream through 5’s online platform.
You don’t need a Sky Sports subscription to watch the games selected for 5’s free-to-air coverage.
Sky Sports is also showing NFL games throughout Sunday, while NFL Game Pass on DAZN remains the option for viewers who want access to the league’s wider schedule, subject to applicable UK blackout restrictions.
NFL on Channel 5 today: full TV schedule
Here’s the complete schedule at a glance:
2:30pm – Indianapolis Colts vs Washington Commanders
📺 5
6pm – New England Patriots vs Buffalo Bills
📺 5Action
9pm – NFL On 5 begins
📺 5
9:25pm – Denver Broncos vs San Francisco 49ers
📺 5
That makes today an unusually strong day for free-to-air NFL coverage in the UK, with three live games rather than the usual two because of the London fixture.
And for anyone searching “NFL on Channel 5 today”, the key times to remember are 2:30pm, 6pm and 9:25pm.
When is the next NFL game on 5?
The next NFL London game on 5 comes next Sunday, October 11, when the Philadelphia Eagles face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Kick-off is again at 2:30pm.
The third London game follows on October 18, with the Houston Texans taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium, also at 2:30pm.
For regular Sunday coverage, 5 will continue to show selected NFL games throughout the 2026 regular season, with its 9pm primetime coverage branded NFL On 5.
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