NFL Schedule Release Date: When Will the 2026 Slate Be Revealed?
By Matt Burke
Roger Goodell has long ago gone full pro wrestling promoter on us, as everything on the NFL calendar is treated as a grand spectacle. The NFL schedule release is a case in point, as the league builds anticipation about its big reveal.
Below, we will look at when the NFL schedule will be released this year, and we will take a glance at some key storylines and matchups for the 2026-27 season.
When will the NFL schedule be released?
The Super Bowl occurred just a few weeks ago, but NFL fans are already clamoring to see the full 2026 schedule.
Last year, the NFL had an announcement about the announcement as the NFL Network’s Colleen Wolfe and ESPN’s Laura Rutledge revealed the date of the schedule announcement during Round 1 of the NFL Draft. The duo broadcast that last year’s schedule release would take place on Wednesday, May 14.
We anticipate that the NFL will release its schedule during the second full week in May again this year.
Expect the official NFL schedule release date to again be announced during the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, which will take place on Thursday, April 23.
NFL schedule release date
Pencil in Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as the date when this year’s NFL schedule will be released. The league typically has its grand reveal in early-to-mid May, and it usually takes place on a Wednesday or Thursday.
Here is a look at the days the NFL selected as its NFL schedule release dates since 2020.
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2025 Wednesday, May 14
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2024 Wednesday, May 15
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2023 Thursday, May 11
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2022 Thursday, May 12
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2021 Wednesday, May 12
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2020 Thursday, May 7
In recent years, the NFL has announced marquee games in the few days leading up to the official schedule release date. For example, expect NBC to announce the NFL season opening night matchup on Monday or Tuesday prior to the official NFL schedule release.
This year’s NFL season is set to begin on Thursday, Sept. 10. The first full Sunday of the season is set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 13.
The 2026-27 Super Bowl is scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 14, 2027. This will be the latest date that the Super Bowl has ever taken place.
2026-27 NFL schedule key games
While we don’t yet know the dates, times, and TV stations for the NFL schedule yet, we do know the matchups.
Here are some of the key matchups for the 2026-27 season.
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New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
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Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
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Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
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New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
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Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
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San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs
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Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders
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Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
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New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks
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Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills
We will have a Super Bowl rematch this year as the Patriots will playin Seattle against the Seahawks.
Some of the other intriguing matchups on the list above include teams with new head coaches.
The Mike McCarthy-led Steelers will play a marquee game against the in-state rival Eagles.
Two of the AFC’s top teams in recent years, the Bills and Ravens, also have new head coaches in Joe Brady and Jesse Minter. Those two will square off against one another this season.
New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will face a Seattle team that he helped lead to Super Bowl glory this past season. And John Harbaugh will lead his Giants into battle with the aforementioned Seahawks at some point in 2026-27.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
