After weeks of teases and game-by-game leaks, football fans will finally see the full NFL schedule release on Thursday, May 14.
Let's take a look at what fans and bettors can expect, and everything we know about the 2026-27 NFL schedule release so far.
When will the NFL schedule be released?
The 2026-27 NFL schedule will be released in its entirety on Thursday, May 14. Expect the schedule to become public knowledge at around 8 p.m. ET.
NFL Network, ESPN2, the ESPN App, and NFL+ will have live coverage discussing the event.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account
NFL schedule release date
The league typically has its grand schedule reveal in early-to-mid May, and it usually takes place on a Wednesday or Thursday. This year is no different, with the 2026-27 NFL schedule going live on Thursday, May 14.
Here is a look at the days the NFL selected as its NFL schedule release dates since 2020.
- 2026: Thursday, May 14
- 2025 Wednesday, May 14
- 2024 Wednesday, May 15
- 2023 Thursday, May 11
- 2022 Thursday, May 12
- 2021 Wednesday, May 12
- 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. The league will reveal its remaining six 2026 International Games on Wednesday, May 13 at 9 a.m. ET on Good Morning Football on NFL Network.
We already know that the San Francisco 49ers will play the Los Angeles Rams in Australia (Thursday, Sept. 10), while the Baltimore Ravens will take on the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil.
We also know that the season-opener will be played on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
2026-27 NFL schedule key games
Predicting the Week 1 NFL Primetime schedule: pic.twitter.com/8ydTD8AVgq
— Joe Osborne (@JTFOz) May 8, 2026
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.
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles
- Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
- Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
- New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
- Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
- San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs
- Seattle Seahawks at Las Vegas Raiders
- Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks
- Chicago Bears at Buffalo Bills
This year’s NFL season is set to begin on Wednesday, September 9, with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks hosting an opponent to be announced.
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, and the first time it'll be played on Valentine's Day.
We will have a Super Bowl rematch this year as the Patriots will play in 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.
