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Update: The Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders preseason game was played on Friday, August 14, 2026. The live broadcast has ended, but viewers can check NFL+ and the official NFL game center for replay availability.
The game kicked off at 7 p.m. ET at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Commanders listed CBS as the local television outlet, while NFL+ was the principal official streaming option for preseason games, subject to market, blackout and plan restrictions.
Quick answer
| Item | Details | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders | Washington was the home team. |
| Date and time | Friday, August 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET | The game is now over. |
| Venue | Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland | 2026 NFL preseason, Week 1. |
| TV channel | CBS | The Commanders listed it as a local broadcast, not necessarily a nationwide CBS telecast. |
| Official stream | NFL+ | Availability depends on plan, location, blackout and device rules. |
| Free legal option | Over-the-air antenna | Only where a local CBS affiliate carried the game and the signal was receivable. |
| Replay | NFL+ or the official NFL game page | Check current availability because replay access can vary. |
See the official NFL game center for the matchup and postgame information. The Dolphins schedule and Commanders schedule provide the official date and kickoff details.
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The Commanders’ official schedule listed CBS for the preseason opener. This should be understood as a local broadcast listing: it does not mean that every CBS station nationwide carried the game.
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Viewers in the Washington-area market, and potentially the Miami market depending on local rights, needed to check the relevant CBS affiliate. Local preseason distribution can differ by market, so an online national CBS channel guide was not enough to guarantee access.
The schedule announcement is available from the Washington Commanders.
Watching through cable, satellite or a live-TV service
A cable or satellite package that included the local CBS affiliate could show the game. The same applied to a live-TV streaming service carrying that station in the viewer’s ZIP code.
Before subscribing, enter your ZIP code and confirm the exact local CBS station. Having “CBS” in a package does not guarantee access if the provider does not carry the viewer’s affiliate or if a local carriage dispute is affecting service.
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Possible live-TV providers include YouTube TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV. Their channel lineups, pricing, trials and cancellation terms change frequently. A provider may also allow authentication through an official NFL or network service, but that requires an active qualifying subscription; it is not a free stream. See the NFL’s TV-provider authentication guidance.
How to stream the game without cable
NFL+
NFL+ was the main official digital option for live NFL preseason games. It is available through NFL.com and the NFL app, with features depending on the current plan.
Do not assume that every plan supports every television device, live-game type or replay feature. Local-market restrictions, blackouts, device compatibility and account-location rules may apply. Since this game has already been played, check the NFL+ listing specifically for replay access rather than expecting a live feed.
The NFL’s 2026 preseason viewing guide explains the league’s preseason viewing arrangements. NFL+ should not be described as free unless an active official promotion or trial is shown on the current signup page.
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Live-TV streaming services
A streaming television package could work if it carried the local CBS affiliate. YouTube TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV are examples, but availability is market-specific. Paramount+ may also be relevant in some CBS-related situations, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed solution for this game without confirming local live-CBS rights and replay availability on Paramount+’s official site.
Free and low-cost legal options
Over-the-air antenna
An antenna was the clearest genuinely free legal option for eligible local viewers. It required:
- A local CBS affiliate that carried the game;
- A location within reliable reception range; and
- A compatible antenna and television or tuner.
There is no monthly subscription after the initial antenna purchase, although reception depends on distance, terrain, buildings, antenna placement and station power. If the channel does not appear, rescan the television, move the antenna near a window or higher location, and try a different orientation. An antenna cannot help viewers outside the relevant broadcast market.
Free trials and promotions
A live-TV provider’s trial or promotion may have offered temporary access, but this was conditional rather than guaranteed. Eligibility may exclude returning customers, a payment method may be required, and the subscription can automatically convert to a paid plan. Confirm local CBS availability and the cancellation deadline before starting a trial.
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Local station streams and public viewing
Some CBS affiliates offer selected sports coverage through their websites or apps, sometimes with TV-provider authentication. Check the specific affiliate, but do not assume it offered this game.
A sports bar or other venue with the local CBS feed was another legitimate alternative for viewers without an antenna or subscription, although it was not necessarily free.
Can I watch the replay?
Because the game was played on August 14, the live broadcast is no longer available. Start with the official NFL game page, then check NFL+ for any available replay or condensed-game options. Replay features can depend on the current NFL+ plan, device and location.
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Blackouts, location limits and preseason rules
Local CBS availability depends on the affiliate and market. Out-of-market viewers should not assume that the local Washington broadcast was available nationwide. NFL+ can also impose location, blackout or plan restrictions.
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- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
This was a preseason game, not a regular-season matchup. Regular-season viewing rules do not automatically apply, and NFL Sunday Ticket was not the default answer for this game.
A VPN should not be presented as a guaranteed or rights-compliant way to bypass blackouts or geographic restrictions. Use the official service and follow its location requirements. Avoid unauthorized streams, social-media rebroadcasts and pop-up streaming sites, which can violate copyright rules and expose viewers to malware.
Which option made the most sense?
- Local viewer seeking the lowest ongoing cost: Try an antenna and confirm the local CBS signal.
- Already subscribed to cable or satellite: Check the local CBS channel and any available authenticated stream.
- Want an official digital option: Check NFL+ for the applicable preseason or replay feature.
- Want a broader cable replacement: Compare YouTube TV, Fubo and Hulu + Live TV by ZIP code, not just by advertised channel lists.
- Outside the Washington or Miami markets: Check NFL+ and the official game page rather than assuming CBS carried the game in your area.
Sources
- NFL game center
- NFL Miami Dolphins schedule
- NFL Washington Commanders schedule
- Commanders schedule announcement
- NFL preseason viewing guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Dolphins vs. Commanders on CBS nationally?
The Commanders listed CBS as the local broadcast outlet. That did not establish nationwide CBS availability; viewers needed to check their local affiliate.
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Do I need cable for NFL+?
No. NFL+ is an official NFL digital service, but its plan features, device support, location rules and replay availability vary.
Can I watch the game free with an antenna?
Possibly. An antenna could receive the local CBS telecast without a monthly subscription if the affiliate carried the game and the signal reached your location.
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