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The Detroit Lions will kick off the 2026 NFL season at home against the New Orleans Saints on September 13 at Ford Field.
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The Detroit Lions will open the 2026 NFL season against one of Dan Campbell's old teams.
The Lions will host the Saints in their season opener Sept. 13 at Ford Field, New Orleans Football Network reported.
Lions coach Dan Campbell looks on against the Saints during the first half on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in New Orleans.
Campbell, in his sixth season as Lions coach, spent his last season as a player with the Saints in 2009 and was the team's assistant head coach and tight ends coach for five years before coming to Detroit.
Former Lions quarterback Kellen Moore also is in his second year as Saints head coach.
The Lions will release their full 2026 schedule tonight, but more than a quarter of the games are known so far.
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The Lions will visit the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 to open Buffalo's new stadium, they'll host the New England Patriots in Germany on Nov. 15, play the Chicago Bears in their annual Thanksgiving game 12 days later and close the season against the .
The Detroit Lions' 2026 season opener is scheduled for September 13.
The Detroit Lions will play against the New Orleans Saints in their 2026 season opener.
Dan Campbell played his last NFL season with the Saints in 2009 and served as their assistant head coach before joining the Lions.

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(The NFL plays division games in Week 18, and multiple outlets have reported the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears will square off in their season finale.)
The Lions are coming off a 9-8 season and last-place finish in the NFC North. The Saints went 6-11 last season and finished in last place in the NFC South.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him atdbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him onBluesky,XandInstagramat @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions to open 2026 season at home against New Orleans Saints