The NFL offseason has its own calendar and few dates on it hit harder than schedule release day. Every spring, before a single snap is played, the NFL hands fans their annual fix that includes opponent matchups, primetime slots, revenge games, rivalry kickoffs and the kind of scheduling drama that fuels three months of debate.
This year, the wait is almost over. The league has officially confirmed it and the NFL fanbase can’t wait to see it.
Adam Schefter confirms NFL 2026 schedule release is set for May 14
ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed on Friday that the NFL will release its full 2026 schedule on Thursday, May 14. The official reveal show is set to air at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN2, and NFL+.
NFL logo on a football at the goal line
Jan 27, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; A view of the NFL logo on a football at the goal line during the second half between the East and the West at the Ford Center at the Star. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The release will follow a staggered announcement strategy. Beginning Monday, the league’s broadcast partners will start revealing select marquee games during their network upfronts: NBC/Peacock, Fox, and Amazon. Additionally, the full international slate will be unveiled early on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET on Good Morning Football.
NFL has confirmed that the schedule release will be next Thursday, May 14. pic.twitter.com/mEfhHKKR2m
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 8, 2026
However, several key details are already confirmed:
Season Kickoff: The defending champion Seattle Seahawks will host the NFL Kickoff Game on Wednesday, on NBC and Peacock. This is only the second time in 75 years the season has opened on a Wednesday.
Historic Australia Opener: On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will face off in Melbourne for the first-ever regular-season game in Australia, streaming on Netflix.
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With Thanksgiving and Christmas games expected to remain the most-watched slots on the calendar, fans are eagerly awaiting next Thursday’s full drop.
Fans react as schedule release hype hits its peak
Everyone is excited and waiting patiently to see the official schedule before any fake dates confuse them.
“Schedule Release Day is a national holiday at this point,” one fanwrote. “Let me go ahead and request PTO for Week 1 now.”
Anothercalledit “basically NFL Christmas,” adding, “Game week energy already and we don’t even know the games yet.”
“Fake schedule leakers will assemble now, one after another,” the third onejoked.
Another summed up the room,penning, “Next Thursday the entire fanbase is gonna lose its mind over primetime matchups, revenge games.”
A fifth simplyposted, “WE READY!!!!!”
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NFL teams typically use schedule release day to put out their most creative videos of the year, with the Los Angeles Chargers consistently drawing top marks for humor and willingness to take shots at opponents. May 14 is six days away. So, fans are right to expect leaks.