The NFL announced on Friday that the 2026 season’s schedule release will happen next week: Thursday, May 14.
Typically, the NFL rolls out the schedule release in parts, with some primetime and international games leaked days before the official release on Thursday. That will be of particular interest to Detroit Lions fans, as Detroit will host one of the international games being held in Munich, Germany this year. It will also be interesting to see how the NFL treats the Lions in regards to primetime games.
Last year, the Lions played in five primetime games, down from six in the previous year. And following a 9-8 season in which Detroit missed the playoffs, they could see another decline in 2026.
While the dates and times of the Lions’ 2026 schedule have yet to be announced, we do already know the opponents of all 17 games they’ll be playing—and the split between home and away.
At home, the Lions will play the:
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
And away, the Lions will face the:
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
As pointed out earlier in the week, the Lions’ schedule is projected to be the easiest in the entire NFL.
Stay tuned to Pride of Detroit to get all the latest news on the Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule, and we’ll have plenty of news and analysis once the schedule fully drops on Thursday night.
