NFL schedule release 2026: Time, TV channels, how to watch live

The NFL offseason calendar has reached schedule release week.

After months of speculation, leaks and announcements about international games, the league will announce the complete 2026 regular-season schedule Thursday night.

The release includes all 272 regular-season games and preseason matchups for the upcoming season.

Here’s how to watch the 2026 NFL schedule release show.

What time is the NFL schedule release?

The NFL will release the full 2026 regular-season schedule from 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

The schedule release includes the complete 18-week regular-season slate along with preseason games.

What TV channel is the NFL schedule release on?

NFL Network and ESPN2 will air the schedule release special.

How to stream the NFL schedule release

The NFL Network will stream on NFL+. ESPN’s coverage will also stream on the ESPN App through ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited.

Who is hosting the NFL schedule release show?

Laura Rutledge will host the two-hour primetime special. She'll be joined by Dan Orlovsky, Peter Schrager, Andrew Hawkins and Kyle Brandt in-studio. Adam Schefter will join virtual and Joe Buck will appear in a segment discussing the Monday Night Football schedule.

Are there international games in 2026?

Yes. The NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season.

Here is the international game schedule for 2026:

Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

• Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
• Time: 8:35 p.m. ET
• Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/streaming: Netflix

Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Location: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• TV/streaming: CBS/Paramount+

Week 4: Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts

• Date: Sunday. Oct. 4
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Stade de France, Paris, France
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 9: Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 8
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 10: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 15
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• TV/streaming: FOX/Fox One

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 22
• Time: 8:15 p.m.
• Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
• TV/streaming: NBC/Peacock

Which other games have already been announced?

Several 2026 games were officially announced before the complete schedule release.

Week 1

• Wednesday, Sept. 9: Seahawks vs. TBA, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Sunday, Sept. 13: Cowboys at Giants, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Monday, Sept. 14: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m. ET, (ESPN/ABC)

Week 2

• Thursday, Sept 17: Lions at Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon)

Week 12

• Thursday, Nov. 26: Eagles at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

When does the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026 NFL season begins Wednesday, Sept. 9 with the NFL Kickoff Game hosted by the Seattle Seahawks.

The following night, the Rams and 49ers will play in Australia.

When does the 2026 NFL regular season end?

Week 18 is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027.

When do NFL tickets go on sale?

Tickets typically become available immediately after the schedule release through Ticketmaster and official NFL ticket partners.

Many teams also launch single-game ticket sales Thursday night following the announcement.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL schedule release 2026: Time, TV channel, how to watch live