The Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule is officially out, and it features a ton of intrigue. Between eight nationally televised games, four primetime contests, and a trip to Munich, Germany, the Lions remain a brand that the NFL is clearly investing in.
But in a lot of ways, the schedule is also very unkind to the Lions. For one, they have an early bye week in Week 6, despite having their international game all the way in Week 10.
Additionally, the schedule-makers did the Lions no favors when it comes to
their divisional opponents. Detroit finishes the season playing all three divisional road games — at Vikings (Week 15), at Bears (Week 17), at Packers (Week 18) in the final four weeks of the season. That means two potentially tough weather games on the road. Meanwhile, all of the Lions’ home divisional games occur between Weeks 7 and 12, including a Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Bears.
That said, at least the team’s road games in Buffalo and Carolina happen early in the year to avoid those cold-weather games.
Here’s a look at the Detroit Lions’ full 2026 schedule:
Detroit Lions 2026 schedule
(Primetime games are bolded, nationally televised games are in italics)
Week 1 — Sunday, Sept. 13 — vs. Saints — 1 p.m ET (FOX)
Week 2 — Thursday, Sept. 17 — at Bills — 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Week 3 — Sunday, Sept. 27 — vs. Jets — 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Week 4 — Sunday, Oct. 4 — at Panthers — 8:20 p.m ET (NBC)
Week 5 — Sunday, Oct. 11 — at Cardinals — 4:25 p.m ET (FOX)
Week 6 — BYE WEEK
Week 7 — Sunday, Oct. 25 — vs. Packers — 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Week 8 — Sunday, Nov. 1 — vs. Vikings — 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Week 9 — Sunday, Nov. 8 — at Dolphins — 1 p.m ET (FOX)
Week 10 — Sunday, Nov. 15 — vs. Patriots — 9:30 a.m. ET (FOX) — MUNICH, GERMANY
Week 11 — Sunday, Nov. 22 — vs. Buccaneers — 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 12 — Thursday, Nov. 26 — vs. Bears — 1 p.m. ET (CBS) — Thanksgiving
Week 13 — Sunday, Dec. 6 — at Falcons — 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Week 14 — Sunday, Dec. 13 — vs. Titans — 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Week 15 — Sunday, Dec. 20 — at Vikings — 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Week 16 — Monday, Dec. 28 — vs. Giants — 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Week 17 — Sunday, Jan 3 — at Bears — 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
Week 18 — TBD — at Packers
