In every other professional sports league, the schedule unveil isn’t celebrated as a tentpole event. In the NFL, however, it’s become a momentous occasion — for better or worse — during the offseason.
Based on the league’s previous timetables, the 2026 NFL schedule release should be just around the corner. It won’t be long before fans know exactly who their favorite teams will play and when those games will occur.
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With the 2026 NFL schedule release expected to come soon, here’s everything fans need to know about the event.
When will the 2026 NFL schedule be released?
The NFL has yet to announce an official release date for the 2026 schedule.
In previous years, the league has released its schedule in mid-May. In 2025, the NFL chose Wednesday, May 14 to release the full schedule. In 2024, it was Wednesday, May 15, and in 2023 it was Thursday, May 11.
During an appearance on the Always Gameday in Buffalo podcast in April, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning Mike North said the league was targeting either the second or third week in May to release the 2026 schedule, per the Democrat & Chronicle.
“Is there any magic to May 12, 13, 14? No. Is there any real downside to May 19, 20, or 21? No,” North said on the “It’s Always Game Day in Buffalo” podcast. “I don’t think it’s coming out in June, but that second week in May has been our target the last few years, but I don’t know that it’s impossible to think about that third week in May.”
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How will NFL teams announce their schedules in 2026?
NFL teams typically use schedule release day to put out their most creative and inventive videos to announce their slate. Those videos are part of the pomp and circumstance the league has built around an otherwise mundane update.
Teams will undoubtedly look to top one another in 2026. It’s always fun to see which teams come up with the freshest and funniest ideas.
Which NFL teams put out great schedule release videos?
A number of teams have delighted fans in recent years, but the Los Angeles Chargers have consistently won the day. The Chargers typically rank among the best-received schedule-release videos every season thanks to their creativity, humor and willingness to pull no punches with their opponents. They’ve taken on various controversies in the sport in previous schedule-release videos and are likely to take that same track again in 2026.
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Yahoo Sports put together a list of the top-7 schedule-release videos last season, with teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams getting high marks.
What 2026 NFL games have already been revealed?
There’s plenty fans already know heading into schedule release day. The way the NFL schedule operates, fans already know which teams they’ll play in 2026 and which of those games will occur at home or on the road. The only thing the 2026 schedule release will provide are the specific dates and times those games will take place.
With that said, some 2026 NFL games and opponents have already been revealed by the league.
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They include:
• Thursday, Sept. 10: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, 8:35 p.m. ET (kickoff Friday at 10:35 a.m. local time to account for American TV time difference)
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In addition to that, fans know the defending champion Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 NFL season on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Their opponent has not been chosen yet, though it’s almost certain to be another one of the league’s premier franchises.
The NFL has also unveiled parts of its international schedule, announcing the New Orleans Saints will play in Paris, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders will have games in London, the Detroit Lions will play in Germany, the Atlanta Falcons will play in Spain and the 49ers will play in Mexico City. The league, however, has not released dates or opponents for those contests.
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Additionally, the NFL is expected to hold its usual handful of games on Thanksgiving, with the Lions and Cowboys certain to host games. The league will also host games on Christmas in 2026, which falls on a Friday. The league is expected to hold three games on Christmas Day.
What channels and streamers will broadcast NFL games in 2026?
The NFL’s primary TV broadcast partners remain NBC/Peacock, Fox, CBS/Paramount Plus, ESPN/ABC and Amazon, who all carry weekly games. Netflix, YouTube and NFL Network (under the ESPN umbrella) will also broadcast games, with Netflix reportedly getting the Rams-49ers game in Australia in addition to its deal for the Christmas Day games.
