Ways to watch the 2026 NFL Draft live at no cost: Schedule and draft lineup

April 23, 2026

As the NFL season gears up, it’s a good moment to think about where some of the league’s future stars might end up playing.

The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight, April 23rd, with rounds continuing on Friday and Saturday. This year’s draft carries its usual excitement, but one thing seems clear: the Las Vegas Raiders are expected to secure the No. 1 overall pick. The spotlight is on Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana quarterback, who is anticipated to be the first selection.

This draft year looks promising for quarterbacks, with several strong candidates, including Abel Reese, Jeremiah Love, Caleb Downs, David Bailey, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Miami’s Carson Beck, and Penn State’s Drew Aller.

The New York Jets and New York Giants are both positioned in the top five picks; the Jets sit at No. 2, while the Giants will pick fifth.

Here’s some essential info about the 2026 NFL Draft:

When: April 23rd at 8pm ET
Where: Point State Park and Acrizier Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Channel: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Streaming: DirecTV

So, if you’re interested in following the NFL Draft over the next few days, here’s what to keep in mind.

2026 NFL Draft Start Time

The first round begins tonight at 8pm ET.

Subsequent rounds will take place tomorrow, April 24th, starting at 7:00 PM ET for rounds two and three, while rounds four through seven are on Saturday, April 25th, at 12:00 PM ET.

How to watch the 2026 NFL Draft for free:

If you don’t have cable, you can stream the NFL Draft without cost using various Live TV streaming services.

DIRECTV offers a solid option for watching live sports for free. Their Choice and My Sports packages include the necessary channels for the draft, starting at $59.99 and $44.99 for initial months, respectively, both with a five-day free trial.

Another option is fubo, which has Pro or Sports and News plans starting at $44.99, also including a five-day free trial.

What channel will the NFL Draft be on?

The draft will air on three channels, each with its own unique coverage angle.

ABC will focus more on the players and their families during the event. Rece Davis serves as the main anchor, joined by “College GameDay” hosts like Kirk Herbstreit, Nick Saban, and Desmond Howard.

ESPN will take a more analytical approach. Coverage led by Mike Greenberg includes contributors such as Mel Kiper Jr., Booger McFarland, and Adam Schefter, with Laura Rutledge interviewing newly drafted players.

If you’re looking for deeper analysis, NFL Network is the place to be. Rich Eisen makes his 20th appearance as host, alongside experts like Daniel Jeremiah and Ian Rapoport.

All three networks will also cover Fernando Mendoza’s situation live from his home in Miami, where he’s opted to stay with his family during the draft. This is particularly meaningful, as his mother copes with multiple sclerosis.