How to Watch the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine: Your Comprehensive TV & Streaming Guide
The NFL Scouting Combine is the unofficial kickoff to the NFL Draft season, a pivotal event where hundreds of the nation's top collegiate football prospects descend upon Indianapolis to showcase their skills, undergo rigorous medical evaluations, and participate in crucial interviews with team executives. It's a high-stakes, action-packed week that can significantly impact a player's draft stock and set the stage for their professional career. For fans eager to catch every moment of this annual spectacle, knowing **how to watch the combine** is essential. This comprehensive guide will break down all your viewing options, from traditional television broadcasts to modern streaming platforms, ensuring you don't miss any of the thrilling athleticism and behind-the-scenes insights.
Official TV Broadcast: NFL Network is Your Home for the Combine
When it comes to watching the NFL Scouting Combine, the NFL Network is your undisputed primary destination. As the official broadcast partner, it provides unparalleled coverage, bringing fans into the heart of the action with live drills, expert analysis, and exclusive interviews.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is set to run from
Thursday, February 26, through Sunday, March 1, 2026, for its main live on-field workouts. However, the comprehensive coverage and preliminary events, including media availability for general managers and coaches, kick off even earlier.
Here's a breakdown of the live on-field workout schedule on NFL Network:
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Thursday, February 26: Defensive Linemen (DL) and Linebackers (LB) – Live at 3:00 p.m. ET
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Friday, February 27: Defensive Backs (DB) and Tight Ends (TE) – Live at 3:00 p.m. ET
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Saturday, February 28: Quarterbacks (QB), Wide Receivers (WR), and Running Backs (RB) – Live at 1:00 p.m. ET
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Sunday, March 1: Offensive Linemen (OL) – Live at 1:00 p.m. ET
Beyond the live workouts, NFL Network's coverage is extensive. Veteran broadcasters like Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen typically anchor the live coverage, providing invaluable insights into player performance and draft implications. Before each day's live workout, be sure to tune into "NFL Combine Today" with Rhett Lewis and Bucky Brooks, which begins one hour prior to dissect key storylines and set the stage for the upcoming drills.
Additionally, to get a jump start on the event and catch all the pre-Combine buzz, NFL Network offers "The Insiders at the Combine." This program, featuring top NFL reporters like Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, Tom Pelissero, and Judy Battista, delivers updates and intel directly from Indianapolis, often kicking off on the Monday and Tuesday leading into the main event at 6:00 p.m. ET or 7:00 p.m. ET, depending on the day. This early coverage is crucial for understanding the narratives and whispers circulating around the prospects before they even step onto the field.
Streaming Options: Don't Miss a Moment Online
For modern football fans who prefer the flexibility of online viewing, there are numerous ways to stream the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine live, ensuring you can follow the action from anywhere with an internet connection. Knowing **how to watch combine** online is increasingly important for cord-cutters.
The most direct and recommended streaming option is
NFL+. As the NFL's official streaming service, NFL+ provides access to live NFL Network programming, which means you can stream all the Combine workouts, analysis shows, and special programming directly through the app or website. NFL+ offers various subscription tiers, often including features like live local and primetime regular season games, game replays, and the NFL Films archive, making it a valuable investment for dedicated fans.
Beyond NFL+, several popular live TV streaming services carry NFL Network, allowing you to stream the Combine as part of a broader package. These services often come with free trial periods, which can be an excellent way to catch the Combine without a long-term commitment if you're not already a subscriber. Top options include:
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Fubo: Known for its robust sports offerings, Fubo includes NFL Network in its base package.
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DirecTV Stream: Offers NFL Network in its Choice package and higher.
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Sling TV: A more budget-friendly option, NFL Network is available through its "Sports Extra" add-on with Sling Blue.
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Hulu + Live TV: Includes NFL Network as part of its extensive channel lineup.
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YouTube TV: Features NFL Network in its standard package.
Each of these platforms provides a seamless streaming experience across various devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers. For a deeper dive into streaming choices and optimization tips, explore our detailed guide:
Stream the 2026 NFL Combine Live: Your Full Guide to Every Moment.
Additionally, while not a live stream of the drills, the
NFL's official website will provide real-time results, statistics, and highlights from all the workouts. This is an excellent resource for tracking player performances, comparing stats, and catching up on anything you might have missed.
Understanding the 2026 NFL Combine Schedule: Key Dates & Workouts
The NFL Scouting Combine is a multi-day event, much more extensive than just the on-field drills. For those wondering **how to watch combine** and truly appreciate its depth, understanding the full schedule is crucial. The action takes place primarily at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, which has been the proud host city since 1987.
Here's the comprehensive daily schedule of events for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine:
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Tuesday, February 24: This day marks the official start of media availability, with NFL general managers and head coaches holding press conferences to discuss their draft strategies, team needs, and initial impressions. This offers invaluable insight into how teams are approaching the draft.
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Wednesday, February 25: More media availability for NFL general managers and head coaches continues. Additionally, the first group of prospects – Kickers (K), Defensive Linemen (DL), and Linebackers (LB) – will conduct their media interviews, giving reporters and fans their first chance to hear directly from these hopefuls.
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Thursday, February 26: K, DL, and LB prospects undergo official measurements (height, weight, arm length, etc.) and participate in their crucial on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Meanwhile, Defensive Backs (DB) and Tight Ends (TE) will have their media interviews.
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Friday, February 27: DB and TE prospects take center stage for their measurements and on-field workouts. Quarterbacks (QB), Running Backs (RB), and Wide Receivers (WR) will conduct their media interviews.
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Saturday, February 28: Arguably the most anticipated day for many fans, QBs, RBs, and WRs perform their measurements and highly scrutinized on-field workouts. Offensive Linemen (OL) will hold their media interviews.
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Sunday, March 1: The Combine concludes with OL prospects undergoing their measurements and on-field workouts, showcasing their strength and agility.
Each position group cycles through a rigorous five-day itinerary that includes team interviews (often the most critical component for teams), comprehensive medical evaluations, media interviews, and finally, the televised on-field drills. For a detailed breakdown of each day's drills and position group specifics, refer to our dedicated article:
NFL Combine Schedule: Daily Drills, Position Groups, & Broadcast Times.
Beyond the Drills: What Else to Watch For
While the 40-yard dash and bench press grab headlines, the NFL Scouting Combine is a multi-faceted event where teams evaluate prospects on a much deeper level. To truly understand **how to watch combine** like a scout, you need to appreciate the nuances beyond the broadcasted drills.
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The Interview Process: This is arguably the most crucial part of the Combine for many teams. Prospects meet privately with NFL general managers and coaches, allowing teams to assess their personality, football IQ, character, and leadership skills. A poor interview can drop a player's stock faster than a slow 40-yard dash. Pay attention to analyst discussions about players who "interview well" or those whose character is being questioned.
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Medical Evaluations: Every player undergoes a thorough medical examination by NFL team doctors. This process can uncover hidden injuries or raise red flags about long-term health, significantly impacting a player's draft standing. While not televised, reports from insiders like those on "The Insiders at the Combine" will often provide updates on significant medical findings.
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Measurements: Height, weight, arm length, and hand size are meticulously recorded. These physical attributes are critical for certain positions and can influence how teams project a player's fit in their scheme. Even minor differences can be magnified and discussed at length by analysts.
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General Manager and Head Coach Media Availabilities: The press conferences held by team executives on Tuesday and Wednesday offer a rare glimpse into team philosophies, potential draft priorities, and sometimes even subtle hints about players they might be targeting. Listening closely to their comments can provide context to what you see on the field later in the week.
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The Narrative Shifts: The Combine is infamous for creating "risers" and "fallers." A strong performance in drills, coupled with excellent interviews, can propel a lesser-known player into the draft conversation. Conversely, a poor showing or concerning medical report can send a highly touted prospect tumbling. Following these narratives, often fueled by expert analysis on NFL Network, is a key part of the Combine's drama.
The Combine provides a unique blend of athletic showcase and intense job interviews, making it a critical juncture in the NFL Draft process.
Conclusion
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is more than just a series of drills; it's a pivotal moment that shapes the future of the league, launching the careers of tomorrow's stars. Whether you're a casual fan curious about the next generation of talent or a hardcore draft enthusiast dissecting every snap and stat, knowing **how to watch combine** is your ticket to being part of the excitement. With comprehensive coverage on NFL Network and flexible streaming options via NFL+ and various live TV services, you have every tool at your disposal to catch all the action from Indianapolis. So mark your calendars for February 24-March 1, 2026, and get ready to witness the athleticism, determination, and drama that define the NFL Scouting Combine. Don't miss a single moment as these collegiate heroes strive to make their NFL dreams a reality.
