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2026 NFL schedule release could be delayed by a week
TL;DR
The release of the 2026 NFL regular-season schedule may be delayed by a week, potentially moving it to the third week of May. NFL VP Mike North indicated that negotiations over a five-game package with broadcast partners could be a factor in the delay.
Key points
- 2026 NFL schedule traditionally released in the second week of May
- Possible new release date is May 13 or May 14
- Delay may push release to the third week of May
- Negotiations for a five-game package with broadcasters could cause the delay
- Comments made by NFL VP Mike North
The next event in the NFL offseason schedule is the 2026 regular-season schedule release. That traditionally has come in the second week in May. Early reports have the release coming either May 13 or May 14.
However, that could be delayed by a week, NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North said on the "It's Always Game Day in Buffalo" podcast.
"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," North said.
One of the reasons why the schedule release could be delayed is because of a five-game package the league is trying to negotiate with broadcast partners.
"These five games that are out there as a package that are being negotiated right now, love to know when, where those games are going to be played so we can schedule them accordingly," North said.
According to Pro Football Talk, the league and YouTube are approaching a deal for a five-game package that includes the Week 1 game in Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, a potential game the day before Thanksgiving, a second Black Friday game, a Christmas Eve game and one other game.
Every team already knows who their opponents will be. The scheduled release simply puts them in order, shows fans where the bye weeks are, how many prime-time games their preferred team gets and gives them the green light to begin travel plans if there are games they wish to attend.
Whether it is next week or the following, the schedule release is coming.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 2026 NFL schedule release could be delayed by a week
Q&A
What is the new potential release date for the 2026 NFL schedule?
The 2026 NFL schedule could be released on May 13 or May 14, but it may be delayed to the third week of May.
Why might the 2026 NFL schedule release be delayed?
The delay may be due to ongoing negotiations for a five-game package with broadcast partners.
Who is responsible for the NFL schedule release?
NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North is involved in the scheduling process and has commented on the potential delay.
