Important things to know about Green Bay Packers 2026 schedule

Who is on the schedule early?

This is important, as Micah Parsons is likely to miss time to start the regular season. The first four games are certainly manageable, with games against four teams that failed to make the postseason in 2025. The Packers will go on the road three times in the first four weeks, complicating the task if Parsons isn't available. But playing road games early will help later, when the Packers finish with eight home games over the final 13.

When are the primetime games?

The Packers play six primetime games: vs. the Falcons on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 3, vs. the Dallas Cowboys on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 6, vs. the Carolina Panthers on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 8, at the Los Angeles Rams on Thanksgiving Eve in Week 12, vs. the Buffalo Bills on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 14 and vs. the Houston Texans on "Monday Night Football" in Week 17. Of the six, five are at home. The Packers also play a standalone game against the Chicago Bears on Christmas Day. And FOX will feature the Packers three times as "America's Game of the Week" during the first half of the season. The country will be seeing a lot of the green and gold in 2026.

Any long road trips?

There are two two-game road trips. The Packers open the season with trips to Minnesota and New York, and then come out of the bye week with trips to Los Angeles and New Orleans. In terms of timing for road trips, it's hard to beat the beginning of the year and after the bye. And neither set of trips should be especially draining for Green Bay, although playing back-to-back road games and then having a short week before the home opener in Week 3 is tough. Remember, the Packers do not have an international game on the schedule in 2026 and will travel among the fewest miles of the 32 NFL teams.

Any tough stretches?

Three stretches figure to be season-defining. How can the Packers navigate the first four games without Micah Parsons? Between Weeks 5 and 9, the Packers face the Bears, Cowboys, Lions, Panthers and Patriots -- five quality football teams entering 2026. Between Weeks 14 and 18, the Packers will play the Bulls, Dolphins, Bears, Texans and Lions -- a tough stretch to finish.

Who comes to Lambeau Field late in the year?

The Packers play four of their five final games at home. In fact, Green Bay will play outdoors during each of its final five games, including a short road trip to Soldier Field on Christmas Day. Among those teams coming to Lambeau Field late in the year are the Dolphins and Texans, two teams located in warm weather.

Any trips to warmth late in the year?

Kind of. The Packers go to Los Angeles to end November and to New Orleans to start December. But both games will be played indoors in temperature-controlled stadiums. Still, for traveling Packers fans, an opportunity to escape the cold is possible during the early winter.

Who is the Week 18 opponent?

The Detroit Lions. The Packers will attempt to snap a two-game losing streak in Week 18 games when they face the Lions in the regular season finale for the first time since 2022. More than likely, the season finale will have massive playoff and divisional implications.

What else is there to know?

Do you think Micah Parsons had an impact on the schedule? He is likely to miss the first four games while recovering from an ACL injury. Who do the Packers face in Week 5 and Week 6? The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, of course. Welcome back, Micah.

The return of Jeff Hafley and Malik Willis will arrive in Week 15. Hafley joked he wanted the Packers early in the season, with Parsons potentially out. He didn't get his wish.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Important things to know about Packers 2026 schedule