Where to watch the Chargers vs 49ers game and what is the kickoff time today at SoFi Stadium?

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers meet at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, August 20, with both teams using their second preseason game to evaluate players ahead of the regular season.

The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Pacific Time (10 p.m. ET) in Inglewood, California.

For viewers in the UK, that means a 3 a.m. BST kickoff on Friday, August 21. The matchup will be nationally televised on NFL Network, while local broadcast arrangements are also available in the teams' respective markets. The 49ers' official viewing guide confirms the broadcast and streaming information for the game.

For fans unable to attend at SoFi Stadium, NFL Network is therefore the primary national television option. Availability can vary according to television provider and market, so viewers should check their local listings before kickoff.

The Chargers enter the contest after opening their preseason with a convincing 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans .

The 49ers , meanwhile, began their exhibition schedule against the Tennessee Titans and now travel south to Los Angeles for the second of their three preseason games. San Francisco's published schedule lists Thursday's contest at SoFi Stadium for 7 p.m. PT.

What to watch when the 49ers face the Chargers

Although preseason results ultimately carry little weight, Thursday's game is important for players attempting to secure roster spots, starting positions and roles within their respective offenses and defenses.

One of the biggest storylines for San Francisco is the amount of playing time given to its starters. The 49ers are expected to use at least some of their first-team players, with quarterback Brock Purdy among the names generating interest.

However, San Francisco is also dealing with several injuries, meaning the coaching staff will have to balance evaluation with caution. The 49ers ' receiving corps could look different depending on which players are available.

The quarterback situation is naturally one of the biggest attractions for the Chargers as well. Los Angeles has Justin Herbert , but preseason games are primarily about assessing the wider roster rather than chasing victories.

Young players and those competing for depth-chart positions can receive opportunities that would be difficult to obtain during the regular season.

The matchup also follows joint practices between the two teams, giving coaches another opportunity to assess how their players respond against unfamiliar opposition.

Reports from San Francisco's side highlighted struggles in the secondary during those sessions, making Thursday's game a useful test for the revamped defense.

For the Chargers , the game represents their first preseason appearance at home in 2026. The team's official site describes the meeting with San Francisco as the opening game of its preseason home schedule at SoFi Stadium.

A late-night game for East Coast and UK viewers

The 10 p.m. ET start makes this one of the later games on Thursday's preseason schedule, while UK viewers face an overnight start.

The contest is nevertheless an intriguing opportunity to watch players competing for important roster roles before the final preseason week arrives.

The NFL's official preseason schedule places San Francisco's next exhibition game against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 27, while the Chargers will close their preseason against the Los Angeles Rams .

So, for anyone planning to watch tonight, the key information is straightforward: 49ers at Chargers , 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium, with NFL Network carrying the national broadcast.