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Patriots enter NFL schedule release day with 4 of 17 games revealed
TL;DR
The New England Patriots have four of their 2026 NFL games revealed ahead of the official schedule release. Key matchups include a season opener at the Seahawks and an international game against the Lions in Germany.
Key points
- Patriots have four of 17 games revealed for 2026
- Season opener is at Seahawks on September 9
- International game against Lions in Germany on November 15
- Primetime games include a matchup at Bears on October 22
- Official schedule release set for 8 p.m. ET on Thursday
New England PatriotsSeattle SeahawksChicago BearsDetroit Lions
- **Week 1:** at Seahawks (Wed, Sept. 9, 8:20 p.m. ET)
- **Week 7:** at Bears (Thu, Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET)
- **Week 10:** at Lions (Sun, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. ET, Munich)
- **Week 16:** at Jets (Sun, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET) Out of those four games, only one has officially been announced, namely the Patriots’ return to the international stage after a one-year hiatus; they will play the Lions in Germany in mid-November. This game might also give us a clue about the team’s bye, which might come in Week 11 right after the cross-Atlantic trip. Two of the Patriots’ primetime games have also leaked. They will open the season with a Super Bowl rematch in Seattle — one that will be played on Wednesday rather than the traditional Thursday this year — and take on the Bears on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. New England will have mini-byes after both contests. Furthermore, the Patriots will visit the Jets in Week 16 for a 1 p.m. ET game. The rest of the games remain TBA at this point in time. The official schedule release will happen at 8 p.m. ET, even though traditionally most if not all of the schedule is already known at that point.
Q&A
What are the confirmed games for the New England Patriots in 2026?
The confirmed games include a season opener at the Seahawks, a game at the Bears, an international game against the Lions in Germany, and a visit to the Jets.
When is the official NFL schedule release for the Patriots?
The official NFL schedule release for the Patriots will take place on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
What is the significance of the Patriots' game against the Lions in Germany?
The game against the Lions in Germany marks the Patriots' return to the international stage after a one-year hiatus and may indicate their bye week following the trip.
