Report: Cowboys and Giants to open up 2026 season

As many suspected, the NFL schedule leaks have begun.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys to open the season on Sunday Night Football on September 13.

In fact, the NFL has confirmed it.

Both the Cowboys and the Giants missed the playoffs last season; however, both teams are expected to be playoff contenders this season.

This will be John Harbaugh’s debut as the Giants head coach and the return of running back Cam Skattebo, who suffered an ankle injury during his 2025 rookie season, which all but derailed the Giants playoff hopes.

In eight games, he rushed for 410 yards and had 207 yards receiving with seven touchdowns.

The Cowboys will unveil their new defense, and this will also mark the debut of No. 1 draft pick Caleb Downs in the Cowboys' secondary.

Like them or loathe them, the Cowboys are still must-see TV for many NFL fans and drive ratings, which is why they end up on prime time a lot, even when they aren’t very good.

In fact, the Cowboys opened up last season with the then-defending champion Philadelphia Eagles, losing 24-20. The Cowboys and Giants split last season when they faced each other.

The surprise to some may be that the NFL is not opening up the season with the current Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Report: Cowboys and Giants to open up 2026 season