The Miami Dolphins' 2026 schedule has been released, featuring only afternoon games and no prime-time slots. This marks a shift as the team undergoes a rebuild with new management and coaching staff.
Key points
Miami Dolphins' 2026 schedule released
All games scheduled for afternoon slots
No prime-time games for the Dolphins
New management and coaching staff in place
Announcement made on Thursday night
Mentioned in this story
Tua TagovailoaChris GrierMike McDanielJon-Eric SullivanJeff HafleyMalik Willis
Miami DolphinsGreen Bay Packers
As the Miami Dolphins rebuild, the NFL is taking a pause in putting them on the prime-time national stage.
The Dolphins, viewed as contenders entering past recent seasons, were consistently getting a handful of national stand-alone games.
Itâs not the case this year, as the Dolphins reset from the era of general manager Chris Grier, coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, swapping them out for a trio coming from the Green Bay Packers in Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis in those roles.
The Dolphinsâ 2026 slate will be entirely played in afternoon slots. Not one prime-time game, not even a Thursday nighter.
Miamiâs full 2026 schedule with dates and times was announced Thursday night.
Opponents have been known for months. This year, the Dolphins, aside from facing their three division rivals twice each, square off against the whole AFC West, NFC North and three teams who finished in the same place in their respective divisions last season: the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers.
Hereâs the full Dolphins schedule, with analysis on each matchup (games are all on Sundays).
The team that drafted Miami native Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall hosts his hometown squad. Will Mendoza be the starter Week 1 or is it veteran Kirk Cousins? The Dolphins travel to Vegas for the first time since 2021.
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 20, 4:25 p.m.; Fox
And with the Dolphinsâ two games in the Pacific time zone to start the season, itâs highly plausible the team stays on the West Coast for the week of practice. This matchup couldâve been sent to Mexico City. Instead, the Dolphins make their third trip to Santa Clara in the past seven seasons and play the 49ers for the fourth time in that span, far more common than usual for cross-conference matchups.
Q&A
What is the Miami Dolphins' 2026 schedule?
The Miami Dolphins' 2026 schedule includes all games played in afternoon slots, with no prime-time games scheduled.
Who are the new key figures in the Dolphins' management for 2026?
The Dolphins have replaced their previous general manager, coach, and quarterback with Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley, and Malik Willis from the Green Bay Packers.
Why are the Dolphins not featured in prime-time games for 2026?
The Dolphins are not featured in prime-time games due to their current rebuilding phase and the shift in management and coaching staff.
When was the Dolphins' 2026 schedule announced?
The Miami Dolphins' full 2026 schedule was announced on Thursday night.
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The home opener finally arrives after two weeks on the road out west. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is recovering this offseason from last yearâs torn ACL, but this matchup no longer possesses the intrigue of Tyreek Hill facing the team he was with prior to the Dolphins following his release this offseason. Itâs the Chiefsâ first trip to Miami Gardens since 2020, as Kansas City has won five straight in the series.
Miami goes right back on the road far from home, facing the Vikings for the first time since 2022 and visiting Minneapolis for the first time since 2018. This, of course, is a rematch of the last Super Bowl the Dolphins won, to complete the 1973 season.
Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Oct. 11, 1 p.m. Fox
Back-to-back seasons with the Dolphins hosting the Bengals. Those still with the team may want to exact revenge after last Decemberâs 45-21 mauling at the hands of quarterback Joe Burrow.
Itâs not often you get your first divisional matchup after the bye week. The Dolphins are in the first year of their rebuild, and the Jets are in the second of theirs. Will Miami stay ahead of New York after sweeping the Jets last season? Or could this result lead to a better draft pick than the division rival come April?
Back-to-back in the division, but now at home. The Dolphins were swept by last yearâs upstart Patriots team that made the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabelâs first season there.
The two teams went in opposite directions since the last time they met, the Dolphinsâ convincing 70-20 decision. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle faces his former team after the offseason trade, and might get covered by rookie cornerback Chris Johnson, whom Miami acquired with the top pick from the deal. Itâs the Dolphinsâ first trip to Denver since 2020.
Coach Ben Johnson, a Dolphins assistant from 2012 through 2018, returns as head coach of Chicago. In fact, he was wide receivers coach under Adam Gase in his final season with Miami the last time the Bears visited. These two teams met in Illinois for a joint practice and preseason game last year, but the Dolphins are now entirely different.
Week 15: at Green Bay Packers, Dec. 20, 1 p.m., Fox
This is where Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis all make their return to Green Bay as the Dolphins have formed Green Bay Packers South in Miami.
After four years at the helm with the Dolphins, this is the return for Mike McDaniel to Hard Rock Stadium as offensive coordinator of the Chargers under coach Jim Harbaugh. After this matchup always pinned quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, who were consecutive draft picks in 2020, Tagovailoa is no longer with Miami while Herbert is still with the Chargers under McDanielâs tutelage.
Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills, Jan. 3, 1 p.m., CBS
And the Bills avoid the early-season heat and humidity of South Florida by visiting in January. As much as the Dolphins have struggled against Buffalo, they did win the last time they faced off, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Week 18: at New England Patriots, Jan. 9 or 10, TBD
The Dolphins finish off the 2026 season where they finished in 2025.
