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NFL
NFL schedule release date is set for 2026 season
TL;DR
The NFL will release the full schedule for the 2026 season on May 14. This includes the 18-week, 272-game regular season and preseason matchups.
Key points
- NFL schedule release date confirmed for May 14, 2026
- Includes 18-week, 272-game regular-season schedule
- Preseason matchups will also be revealed
- Event will be broadcast during primetime
The NFL schedule release finally has a date.
After weeks of speculation that the annual unveiling could be delayed beyond its traditional mid-May window, the league confirmed it will unveil the full 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday, May 14.
The complete 18-week, 272-game schedule along with preseason matchups will be revealed during a primetime broadcast event.
Here's what we know about the 2026 NFL schedule release.
When is the NFL schedule release date?
The NFL will release the 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday, May 14.
The league did not officially confirm a release date until Friday, creating speculation that the annual event could be pushed back later than usual this year.
NFL vide president of broadcast planning Mike North acknowledged that the release could slide into the third week of May as the league finalized media packages and international-game logistics.
The NFL traditionally keeps most schedule details secret until the official reveal show, although select games will be announced earlier in the week.
The full list of nine international games will be announced on Wednesday, May 13.
The home and away opponents for each team were determined at the conclusion of the 2025 regular season.
What day of the week is the NFL schedule announced?
The NFL will release the schedule on a Thursday. The international games will be announced a day earlier, on Wednesday.
The league announced the full schedule on Wednesdays the previous two years after favoring Thursday from 2020-2023.
Here are the dates for the last even NFL schedule releases:
- 2025: Wednesday, May 14
- 2024: Wednesday, May 15
- 2023: Thursday, May 11
- 2022: Thursday, May 12
- 2021: Thursday, May 13
- 2020: Thursday, May 7
- 2019: Wednesday, April 17
What time is the NFL schedule released?
The NFL schedule release show typically begins at 8 p.m. The league has not confirmed a specific time for 2026.
Are any games leaked or announced earlier in the day?
Yes.
In recent years, the NFL has revealed select games in the days before the full schedule release, including opening night, international games, holiday matchups and streaming exclusives.
Leaks also begin resurfacing hours before the official release show.
A few details have already been announced for 2026:
- Seattle Seahawks will host the NFL Kickoff Game on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, 8:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 10, Netflix
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 27
How to watch the 2026 NFL schedule release
The NFL schedule release show will air on NFL Network, NFL+ and ESPN platforms.
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The 2026 NFL regular season begins on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will host the NFL Kickoff Game. Their opponent has not yet been announced.
The following night, the Rams and 49ers will play in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia.
When does the 2026 NFL regular season end?
Week 18 of the 2026 NFL season is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027.
When are the NFL playoffs?
Here are the dates for the postseason.
- Wild-Card Round: Jan. 16-18
- Divisional Round: Jan. 23-24
- Conference Championships: Jan. 31
- Super Bowl LXI: Feb. 14, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California Levi's Stadium, 6:30 p.m., ESPN/ABC
Are there NFL international games in 2026?
There will be a record nine international games in 2026.
Here are the confirmed games and locations so far:
- Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, 8:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 10, Netflix
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 27
- New Orleans Saints in Paris, France
- Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany
- Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain
- San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City, Mexico
- Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England (two games)
- Washington Commanders in London, England
Are there NFL games on Christmas Day in 2026?
The NFL will have a Christmas Day tripleheader for the second straight year.
When can you buy tickets for the 2026 season?
Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster when the schedule is released. The league also has partnerships with SeatGeek and Sports Illustrated Tickets through the NFL Ticket Network.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NFL schedule release date and key games for 2026
Q&A
What is the release date for the NFL 2026 schedule?
The NFL 2026 schedule will be released on May 14, 2026.
How many games are included in the NFL 2026 schedule?
The NFL 2026 schedule includes a total of 272 games over 18 weeks.
Will there be a primetime event for the NFL schedule release?
Yes, the NFL will unveil the schedule during a primetime broadcast event.
Are preseason matchups included in the NFL 2026 schedule release?
Yes, the preseason matchups will be revealed along with the regular-season schedule.