Patriots vs. Broncos: How to watch the AFC Championship game today (Jan. 25, 2026)

The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos meet Sunday, January 25, 2026, in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. For fans, the matchup is not only a ticket to Super Bowl LX but also a referendum on two teams that finished the regular season with identical 14-3 records and earned the top seeds in the AFC. ([patriots.com](https://www.patriots.com/game-day/2025/afc-conference-championship/patriots-at-broncos/?utm_source=openai))

Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET. The Patriots’ official site says the game will be broadcast on CBS, with WBZ carrying it locally in New England, and it details the primary broadcast crew: Jim Nantz on play-by-play, Tony Romo as analyst, and sideline reporting from Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn. ([patriots.com](https://www.patriots.com/news/how-to-watch-listen-patriots-at-broncos-x7607?utm_source=openai))

Streaming options vary by market, but fans can generally find the CBS broadcast via services that carry local CBS stations or through Paramount+ where available. Radio listeners can follow local coverage on 98.5 FM The Sports Hub, with additional team and league audio options also available in many regions. ([patriots.com](https://www.patriots.com/news/how-to-watch-listen-patriots-at-broncos-x7607?utm_source=openai))

Sunday’s game marks New England’s return to the AFC title stage for the first time in several years, while Denver’s home-field advantage adds the well-known altitude factor at the Mile High venue. The Patriots’ offense has leaned on quarterback Drake Maye’s efficiency and a deep receiver group, while Denver’s defense has been positioned as a defining unit of its season. ([sports.iheart.com](https://sports.iheart.com/content/2026-01-24-patriots-vs-broncos-jan-25-viewing-options-tv-live-stream/?utm_source=openai))

Beyond the immediate stakes, the matchup is also being watched for what it signals about the AFC’s changing power structure. In recent seasons, conference title games often ran through a small set of perennial contenders; this year’s pairing reinforces how quickly the playoff map can change when coaching, roster health and quarterback development align at the right time. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_NFL_playoffs?utm_source=openai))

For viewers planning their Sunday, pregame coverage starts earlier on CBS and local affiliates, while team sites and league partners are running live blogs, injury updates and inactives. With weather a frequent variable in late-January football, fans traveling to Denver are also monitoring regional conditions and transit advisories as kickoff approaches. ([nesn.com](https://nesn.com/2026/01/afc-championship-start-time-channel-stream-patriots-broncos/?utm_source=openai))