NFL schedule release 2026: Time, TV channels, how to watch live

[ASFN Admin]

The NFL offseason calendar has reached schedule release week.

After months of speculation, leaks and announcements about international games, the league will announce the complete 2026 regular-season schedule Thursday night.

The release includes all 272 regular-season games and preseason matchups for the upcoming season.

Here’s how to watch the 2026 NFL schedule release show.

What time is the NFL schedule release?​

The NFL will release the full 2026 regular-season schedule from 8-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

The schedule release includes the complete 18-week regular-season slate along with preseason games.

What TV channel is the NFL schedule release on?​

NFL Network and ESPN2 will air the schedule release special.

How to stream the NFL schedule release​

The NFL Network will stream on NFL+. ESPN’s coverage will also stream on the ESPN App through ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited.

Who is hosting the NFL schedule release show?​

Laura Rutledge will host the two-hour primetime special. She'll be joined by Dan Orlovsky, Peter Schrager, Andrew Hawkins and Kyle Brandt in-studio. Adam Schefter will join virtual and Joe Buck will appear in a segment discussing the Monday Night Football schedule.

Are there international games in 2026?​

Yes. The NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season.

Here is the international game schedule for 2026:

Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

• Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
• Time: 8:35 p.m. ET
• Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/streaming: Netflix

Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Location: Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• TV/streaming: CBS/Paramount+

Week 4: Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts

• Date: Sunday. Oct. 4
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 18
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Stade de France, Paris, France
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 9: Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 8
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
• TV/streaming: NFL Network/NFL+

Week 10: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 15
• Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
• Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
• TV/streaming: FOX/Fox One

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 22
• Time: 8:15 p.m.
• Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
• TV/streaming: NBC/Peacock

Which other games have already been announced?​

Several 2026 games were officially announced before the complete schedule release.

Week 1

• Wednesday, Sept. 9: Seahawks vs. TBA, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Sunday, Sept. 13: Cowboys at Giants, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Monday, Sept. 14: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m. ET, (ESPN/ABC)

Week 2

• Thursday, Sept 17: Lions at Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET (Amazon)

Week 12

• Thursday, Nov. 26: Eagles at Cowboys, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)

When does the 2026 NFL season start?​

The 2026 NFL season begins Wednesday, Sept. 9 with the NFL Kickoff Game hosted by the Seattle Seahawks.

The following night, the Rams and 49ers will play in Australia.

When does the 2026 NFL regular season end?​

Week 18 is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027.

When do NFL tickets go on sale?​

Tickets typically become available immediately after the schedule release through Ticketmaster and official NFL ticket partners.

Many teams also launch single-game ticket sales Thursday night following the announcement.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL schedule release 2026: Time, TV channel, how to watch live

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