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2026 NFL schedule release could be delayed by a week
TL;DR
The NFL schedule release for 2026 may be delayed by a week, potentially moving from the second week of May to the third week. NFL VP Mike North indicated that while mid-May is the target, the third week is now a possibility.
Key points
- NFL schedule release may be delayed by a week
- Target date has been the second week of May
- Third week of May is now a possibility
- Comments made by NFL VP Mike North
- No downside to moving the release date
Mentioned in this story
NFLMike North
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Mark your calendars. Or don’t, because the date might change.
The NFL schedule release, which has landed in the second week of May for the past five or six years running, could come a week later than usual in 2026. NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North appeared on the It’s Always Game Day in Buffalo podcast prior to this year’s NFL Draft — with his comments first reported by CBS Sports — and said that while the second week of May remains the league’s target, the third week is now firmly on the table.
“Most fans know full well that the schedule comes out in mid-May now,” North said. “That’s what we’ve done the last five or six years. That’s sort of our target. Is there any magic to May 12, 13, 14? No. Is there any real downside to May 19, 20, or 21? No. I don’t think it’s coming out in June, but that second week in May has been our target the last few years, but I don’t know that it’s impossible to think about that third week in May.”
The main complication is a five-game package that the league is negotiating separately with a streaming partner. YouTube is reportedly the frontrunner, with and also in consideration. Until those talks are resolved and the games have a home, it’s not possible to build the full schedule around them.
Q&A
Why might the 2026 NFL schedule release be delayed?
The NFL schedule release could be delayed due to flexibility in the target dates, as stated by NFL VP Mike North.
What is the usual date for the NFL schedule release?
The NFL schedule has typically been released in the second week of May for the past five or six years.
When is the potential new date for the 2026 NFL schedule release?
The potential new date for the 2026 NFL schedule release could be the third week of May, specifically around May 19, 20, or 21.
Who is Mike North and what did he say about the schedule release?
Mike North is the NFL VP of broadcast planning, and he mentioned that while the second week of May is the target, a release in the third week is also being considered.