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Yes, NFL Football Returns Sunday: Full Preseason Schedule & Times
Your Complete Guide to the 2026 NFL Preseason: Games, Dates, and What to Watch
Published: August 9, 2026 | 5:30 AM ET
What Just Happened? The Hall of Fame Kickoff
Football is officially back! The NFL gave fans their first taste of 2026 action with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 6.
Quick Recap: The Carolina Panthers beat the Arizona Cardinals 33-30 in a surprisingly high-scoring game. Rookie quarterbacks Carson Beck and Haynes King both played well, making their college conference (the ACC) proud.
Hall of Fame Weekend Celebrations
The weekend wasn’t just about the game. On Saturday, August 7, five legends were officially enshrined (honored) in Canton, Ohio:
- Drew Brees (quarterback)
- Roger Craig (running back)
- Larry Fitzgerald (wide receiver)
- Luke Kuechly (linebacker)
- Adam Vinatieri (kicker)
Fun Fact: Adam Vinatieri’s speech made headlines—he playfully roasted his former coach Bill Belichick and even joked about his own cheerleader girlfriend!
Are There Games Today? (Sunday, August 9)
Nope!
Today is a rare off-day with zero NFL games. Think of it as a "bye week" for the entire league. The next games won’t happen until Thursday, August 13.
When’s the Next Game? Preseason Week 1 Starts Thursday!
Mark your calendars! Preseason Week 1 kicks off with four games on Thursday, August 13:
| Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions | 7:00 PM |
| Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers | 7:00 PM |
| New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts | 7:30 PM |
| Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers | 8:00 PM |
Pro Tip: Most preseason games air on local TV or NFL Network. Check your local listings!
Full 2026 Preseason Schedule at a Glance
The preseason has three weeks of games before the real season starts. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Preseason Week 1 (August 13–15)
Thursday, August 13 (4 games listed above)
Friday, August 14 — No games scheduled
Saturday, August 15 — No games listed yet
Preseason Week 2 (August 20–23) — Busiest Weekend!
Thursday, August 20
- Houston Texans vs. Las Vegas Raiders — 8:00 PM ET (ESPN)
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers — 10:00 PM ET
Friday, August 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets — 7:00 PM ET
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers — 7:30 PM ET
- Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers — 9:00 PM ET
Saturday, August 22 — 11 GAMES!
- Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders — 12:00 PM ET
- Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills — 1:00 PM ET
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons — 1:00 PM ET
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens — 1:00 PM ET
- Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints — 4:00 PM ET
- Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants — 4:00 PM ET
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears — 7:00 PM ET
- New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles — 7:00 PM ET
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs — 8:30 PM ET
- Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys — 10:00 PM ET
Sunday, August 23
- Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks — 8:00 PM ET (Fox)
Preseason Week 3 (August 27–29) — Final Tune-Ups
Thursday, August 27
- Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — 7:00 PM ET
- Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots — 8:00 PM ET (Prime Video)
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers — 8:00 PM ET
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams — 10:00 PM ET
Friday, August 28 — 10 GAMES!
- Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons — 7:00 PM ET
- Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans — 7:00 PM ET
- Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Commanders — 7:00 PM ET
- New York Jets vs. New York Giants — 7:30 PM ET
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 7:30 PM ET
- Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints — 8:00 PM ET
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks — 8:00 PM ET
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cincinnati Bengals — 8:00 PM ET (CBS)
- Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals — 8:00 PM ET
- Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings — 9:00 PM ET (NFL Network)
Saturday, August 29
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Detroit Lions — 1:00 PM ET
- Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears — 6:00 PM ET
When Does the REAL Season Start?
Regular Season Opener:
- Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Matchup: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
Special Note: This is the first Wednesday season opener since 2012! It’s also a rematch of Super Bowl 60 (the championship game from the previous season).
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Preseason ≠ Regular Season — These games don’t count toward standings. Coaches use them to evaluate players and test strategies.
- Starters Play Less — Big-name players often sit out or play only a quarter or two. You’ll see lots of backups and rookies fighting for roster spots.
- Schedule Can Change — Times and TV networks might shift. Always double-check closer to game day.
- Three Weeks Only — The preseason wraps up by August 29. Then there’s a short break before Week 1 on September 9.
- Hall of Fame Game = Extra Game — The Panthers and Cardinals played four preseason games (most teams play three).
Summary: Your Preseason Cheat Sheet
| What | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game | Aug 6 | Panthers 33, Cardinals 30 |
| Hall of Fame Inductions | Aug 7 | Brees, Craig, Fitzgerald, Kuechly, Vinatieri |
| Next Games (Week 1) | Aug 13 | 4 games starting at 7 PM ET |
| Biggest Weekend (Week 2) | Aug 20–23 | 16 games across 4 days! |
| Final Preseason Games | Aug 27–29 | Last chance to evaluate rosters |
| Regular Season Starts | Sept 9 | Seahawks vs. Patriots (Wednesday!) |
FAQ: Your Preseason Questions Answered
What’s the difference between preseason and regular season?
Preseason games are practice games. They don’t count in the standings, stats don’t officially "count" for records, and teams treat them like dress rehearsals. The regular season (starting Sept 9) is when every game matters for playoffs.
Do star players play in preseason?
Usually very little—or not at all. Quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen might play one series (a handful of plays) in one game. Coaches prioritize keeping stars healthy for the real season.
Why does the Hall of Fame Game happen earlier?
It’s a tradition tied to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio. The two teams playing get an extra preseason game (four total instead of three) as a "thank you" for participating in the celebration.
Why does the 2026 season start on a Wednesday?
The NFL sometimes moves the opener to Wednesday to avoid conflicting with holidays or other major events. The last time was 2012. It’s rare but not unheard of!
How can I watch these games?
- Local TV (for your home team’s games)
- NFL Network (carries many national preseason games)
- ESPN / Fox / CBS / Prime Video / NFL Network (specific national broadcasts listed in the schedule above)
- NFL+ (streaming service for out-of-market preseason games)
Final Thought
The 2026 NFL preseason is your preview window—a chance to spot breakout rookies, see new coaches in action, and get hyped for the real thing. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in, there’s football almost every night from August 13 through August 29. Then… September 9: Game On for Real!
Enjoy the ride!
