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Finding NFL preseason games in India used to be a headache, especially since local cable channels almost never pick them up. These days, though, it’s actually pretty straightforward. You don’t need a massive cable package or a bunch of “sketchy” links to follow the action.
The most reliable way to catch every preseason snap is through NFL Game Pass International on DAZN. Since it’s the official global home for the NFL, it carries all the preseason games live and on-demand for fans in India. It basically cuts out the middleman, so you aren’t waiting for a local sports network to decide if they want to air a game or not.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to set everything up so you can ditch the cable box and stream the preseason from your couch, your phone, or wherever you happen to be.
Where NFL Preseason Games Stream in India
When it comes to the NFL in India, DAZN is pretty much the king of the castle. Since traditional cable channels rarely show preseason games, almost everyone uses NFL Game Pass International on DAZN to keep up. It’s the easiest way to get everything in one spot: live games, full replays, and all those expert breakdowns on the NFL Network.
What’s great about the service is that it isn’t just about the live broadcast. You get the full “Game in 40” condensed versions, which are perfect if you don’t want to wake up at 5:00 AM for a preseason kickoff. Plus, it includes NFL RedZone, which is basically a must-have for any serious fan who wants to see every touchdown as it happens. Since the service works on everything from your phone to your smart TV, you can pretty much watch wherever you are.
How to Set Up NFL Game Pass in India
To set up your preseason streaming in India, you basically just need to follow the same steps you’d use for any other streaming app, but with a focus on the NFL-specific sections.
Start by heading over to the DAZN website or grabbing the app from your app store. You’ll need to create an account using your email, then look for the NFL Game Pass add-on. In India, you usually have a few choices: you can go for a full “Season Pro” pass that covers everything from the first preseason snap to the Super Bowl, or they sometimes offer smaller weekly or monthly “bite-sized” options if you just want to test the waters.
Once you’re signed in, just navigate to the NFL tab. You’ll see a schedule of all the upcoming preseason games. Because of the time difference, these usually kick off early in the morning for us, but the app is great about letting you set reminders. If you aren’t an early bird, don’t worry; the full replays usually post pretty quickly after the live whistle blows.
The best part is that the DAZN app is super flexible. You can have it on your phone for a quick check-in or load it onto your Fire TV, Apple TV, or Android TV to watch the big hits on a big screen. It’s a much smoother experience than the old days of hunting for a cable channel that might not even be showing the game.
NFL Preseason Timings for Indian Viewers
One of the trickiest parts of being an NFL fan in India is dealing with the time difference. As preseason games target US audiences, they usually air between 2:30 AM and 8:30 AM IST.
Because of those early hours, DAZN’s on-demand library is a total lifesaver. If you aren’t keen on waking up before the sun, you can catch the full replay or a condensed “Game in 40” version later that same morning. It’s the easiest way to see how the new draft picks are looking without ruining your sleep schedule.
Alternative Ways to Watch NFL Preseason
When you’re trying to keep up with the NFL in India, things can get a little tricky since local cable networks usually don’t bother with the preseason. While DAZN is the main home for the league, there are a few other ways the games might pop up on your screen.
Now and then, the NFL tries to grow the game globally by streaming select matchups for free on YouTube. They did this recently with the game in Brazil, making it available to fans in most countries without a subscription. It’s always worth checking the official NFL YouTube channel a few days before a big international game to see if they’re doing a live broadcast.
US fans travelling through India may want to use NFL+, but the app only works in the States. To get it to work, you’d have to use a VPN to “virtually” head back home. Because broadcasting rights change almost every year, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the official NFL social media accounts in early August; they’ll usually post a “Ways to Watch” map that clarifies which platforms are carrying the preseason games in each part of the world.
Common Streaming Issues and Fixes
Fixing the Lag: Nothing kills the mood like a buffering wheel during a goal-line stand. Since live sports are a bandwidth hog, you really need a rock-solid connection. If your Wi-Fi is acting up, try plugging in an Ethernet cable for a direct line to your router. Also, do yourself a favour and close any data-heavy apps running in the background; your stream shouldn’t have to compete with a large file download or a system update.
Squashing Playback Bugs: If the DAZN app starts throwing “Login Errors” or refuses to load the video, it’s usually because the app is a few versions behind. Head to the Play Store or App Store and make sure you’re running the latest update. If it’s still being stubborn, a quick “Force Stop” or a device restart usually clears out those temporary glitches. When in doubt, refreshing your browser session or clearing your cache is the “old reliable” fix for most streaming hiccups.
Staying on Top of Kickoff Times: The time difference is the biggest hurdle for fans in India. Since games follow US schedules, they usually air in the early morning hours IST. Most streaming platforms are smart enough to display the start time in your local zone once you’re logged in, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the night before so you don’t sleep through the first quarter.
Best VPNs for the Next Season
NordVPN
NordVPN is a heavy hitter for sports because of its SmartPlay feature. This tech basically helps bypass the blocks that sites like Amazon Prime or DAZN use to keep people out. It runs on a custom protocol called NordLynx, which is fast enough that you won’t be seeing a “loading” icon right as a team enters the red zone. With a massive list of servers in the US and Canada, you’ll always have a backup if one city’s connection feels a bit crowded.
ExpressVPN
If you want something that just works without you having to mess with settings, ExpressVPN is the way to go. It’s famous for being incredibly easy to use, especially on devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Apple TV. Their Lightway protocol provides stability, which is exactly what you need for a live broadcast where every second counts. It’s a bit more of a premium pick, but for a “no-hassle” game day, it’s usually the first one fans reach for.
Final Thoughts
Watching the NFL preseason in India has never been easier, and you definitely don’t need a clunky cable subscription to do it. These days, NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the undisputed home for fans in India. It’s your most reliable bet for catching every live snap, rewatching full games, and keeping up with the 24/7 news cycle on the NFL Network. While you might occasionally see a stray international stream pop up on other platforms, DAZN is where you’ll find the most consistent, high-quality coverage.
Just a heads-up: make sure your account is active and ready to go before the Hall of Fame Game kicks off on August 6, 2026. Since the time difference means most games start in the early morning for us (IST), having a stable internet connection is key to avoiding that annoying buffering. Prepare your setup early, and you will be ready for a smooth experience from the first preseason kickoff to the Super Bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the NFL preseason for free in India?
Legally, there aren’t many “always free” options. However, keep an eye on YouTube. The NFL occasionally streams “International Series” games or special preseason matchups for free to help grow the sport in countries like India. Otherwise, you’ll usually need a DAZN subscription.
Why can’t I just use my US NFL+ account in India?
The NFL+ app uses your GPS and IP address to make sure you’re actually in the US. If you’re in India, the app will simply block the stream. The only way around this is using a VPN to make the app think you’re still in the States.
Does Star Sports show preseason games?
In the past, Star Sports and JioCinema have shown select regular-season games and the Super Bowl, but they almost never carry the preseason. If you want to see the rookie debuts, NFL Game Pass on DAZN is your most reliable bet.
What is the “Game Pass on YouTube” I keep hearing about?
In some regions like the UK and Germany, you can actually subscribe to NFL Game Pass directly through YouTube Primetime Channels. It hasn’t fully rolled out in India yet, but it’s a sign that the NFL is moving toward making games easier to find on apps you already use.
How do I know which games are “National” vs. “Local”?
In the US, “National” games are on big networks like NBC or ESPN, while “Local” games only air in the teams’ home cities. For fans in India, this doesn’t matter much, NFL Game Pass International usually gives you access to all of them, regardless of their US broadcast status.
