The Green Bay Packers' 2026 schedule has officially arrived, and it's one of the most unique slates in franchise history. Released Thursday night, May 14, by the NFL, the Packers' 17-game regular season features six primetime games, five different days of play, and two matchups streaming exclusively on Netflix — including a Christmas Day showdown and a Thanksgiving week special.
Coming off another playoff appearance in 2025, quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers will navigate a schedule that includes the NFC South, the AFC East, and additional rotational matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Los Angeles Rams. With a late Week 11 bye and five home primetime games at Lambeau Field, Green Bay's 2026 campaign promises drama from September through January.
How the 2026 Slate Unfolds: Inside the Packers' Full Schedule
The Packers open the season on the road in a divisional clash against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 13 at 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS — a tough early test for Green Bay in a hostile environment. Week 2 takes them to the New York Jets on September 20 at noon CT on FOX before the team returns to Lambeau Field for their home opener in Week 3.
That home opener comes on Thursday, September 24 against the Atlanta Falcons in a 7:15 p.m. CT kickoff on Amazon Prime Video. From there, the Packers travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers in Week 4 before a critical early-season divisional matchup at home against the Chicago Bears in Week 5.
Week 6 brings perhaps the most anticipated home game of the season as the Dallas Cowboys visit Lambeau Field for Sunday Night Football on October 18 at 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC. The following week, Green Bay travels to Detroit to face the Lions in another tough divisional road test.
Full Packers 2026 Regular Season Schedule
Preseason:
Aug. 13–16: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Aug. 20–23: at Denver Broncos
Aug. 27–30: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Regular Season:
Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings — Sun, Sept. 13 | 3:25 p.m. | CBS
Week 2: at New York Jets — Sun, Sept. 20 | Noon | FOX
Week 3: vs. Atlanta Falcons — Thu, Sept. 24 | 7:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime
Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sun, Oct. 4 | Noon | FOX
Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears — Sun, Oct. 11 | 3:25 p.m. | FOX
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys — Sun, Oct. 18 | 7:20 p.m. | NBC
Week 7: at Detroit Lions — Sun, Oct. 25 | 3:25 p.m. | FOX
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers — Thu, Oct. 29 | 7:15 p.m. | Amazon Prime
Week 9: at New England Patriots — Sun, Nov. 8 | 3:25 p.m. | FOX
Week 10: vs. Minnesota Vikings — Sun, Nov. 15 | Noon | FOX
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams — Wed, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | Netflix
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints — Sun, Dec. 6 | Noon | FOX
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills — Sun, Dec. 13 | 7:20 p.m. | NBC
Week 15: vs. Miami Dolphins — Sun, Dec. 20 | Noon | FOX
Week 16: at Chicago Bears — Fri, Dec. 25 (Christmas) | Noon | Netflix
Week 17: vs. Houston Texans — Mon, Jan. 4 | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN
Week 18: vs. Detroit Lions — Sat/Sun, Jan. 9/10 | TBD | TBD
Timeline: How the Packers' 2026 Schedule Came Together
The foundation for the 2026 schedule was laid months ago. Back in January, the Packers' opponents were officially determined based on the NFL's rotating formula. As a member of the NFC North, Green Bay drew matchups against the entire NFC South (Falcons, Panthers, Buccaneers, Saints) and AFC East (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets), plus rotational games against the Cowboys (NFC East), Texans (AFC South), and Rams (NFC West).
In early May, the NFL announced the schedule would be released on Thursday, May 14. Throughout the week leading up to the release, leaks and rumors began circulating — including confirmation that the Packers would face the Rams on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, a game that would stream exclusively on Netflix. By Thursday evening, the full slate was officially unveiled by the Packers via social media, and fans finally had the complete picture.
Why the 2026 Schedule Changes Everything for Green Bay
The Packers' 2026 schedule is historic in several ways. With five primetime games at Lambeau Field, Green Bay ties a franchise record for most home night games in a single season. The Packers will play on five different days of the week — Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Wednesday — an unprecedented level of scheduling variety that will test the team's preparation and recovery routines all season long.
The Christmas Day game at the Chicago Bears marks just the second time the Packers have played on the holiday, and the first time it will be streamed on Netflix. The Wednesday night matchup against the Rams on November 25 — the night before Thanksgiving — is another streaming exclusive for Netflix, signaling the league's continued shift toward digital platforms.
According to Packers.com's "10 things to know" about the schedule, the team faces a unique challenge with its late Week 11 bye, coming in mid-November. That means Green Bay will play 10 straight games from September through mid-November without a break before the bye arrives.
Reunion storylines abound across the schedule. The preseason trip to Pittsburgh features Packers head coach Matt LaFleur facing former Packers coach Mike McCarthy. The Week 6 home game against Dallas also brings McCarthy back to Lambeau, this time in a regular-season primetime showdown. The Week 15 matchup against Miami features former Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis and former defensive coordinator-turned-head-coach Jeff Hafley. Week 9 at New England pits Green Bay against former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on the Packers' 2026 Schedule
With the schedule now officially released, the Packers and their fans can start making plans for the 2026 season. Ticket sales are already underway at Lambeau Field for all home games, with the Cowboys (Week 6, Sunday Night Football), Bills (Week 14, Sunday Night Football), and Falcons (Week 3, Thursday Night Football) expected to be among the hottest tickets of the season.
The Week 18 finale against the Detroit Lions is tentatively set for January 9 or 10, with exact timing and broadcast details to be determined later. If the game carries playoff implications — which is often the case in this rivalry — it could be flexed into a premier time slot.
The Packers will also enter the 2026 season with three preseason games: at the Pittsburgh Steelers, at the Denver Broncos, and at home against the Arizona Cardinals, providing valuable evaluation time for roster battles.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for the Packers
Looking ahead, the Packers will use the summer months to prepare for what could be one of the most demanding regular-season slates in franchise history. Training camp will be crucial as Green Bay integrates new additions and develops depth to handle the unusual cadence of games on five different days of the week.
Analysts have noted that the schedule has favorable stretches — including three straight home games from Week 14-15 and Week 17 — but also challenging elements, such as the early-season road gauntlet in Weeks 1-2 and the Thanksgiving week cross-country trip to face the Rams. The late bye in Week 11 could prove beneficial, giving the team a mid-November reset before the final seven-game stretch that includes three divisional games and a Christmas Day matchup.
With Jordan Love at quarterback, a strong supporting cast, and the advantage of five primetime games at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field late in the season, the Packers have the pieces to make a run. Now they know exactly what road lies ahead.
Key Takeaways from the Packers 2026 Schedule
- The Packers open the season at Minnesota on Sept. 13 and close at home against Detroit in Week 18
- Six primetime games including 5 at Lambeau Field — tying a franchise record
- Games scheduled on five different days: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Wednesday
- Two games exclusively on Netflix: Christmas Day at Bears (Dec. 25) and Wednesday night at Rams (Nov. 25)
- Week 11 bye in mid-November — the latest bye on the schedule
- Key reunion games: vs. Mike McCarthy's Cowboys (Week 6), at Jeff Hafley's Dolphins (Week 15), at Romeo Doubs' Patriots (Week 9)
- Five home games in the final seven weeks of the regular season
