2026 New England Patriots Schedule

[BigKen]

Think people will be calling this a soft schedule??

The New England Patriots 2026 list of opponents is officially set, and it's shaping up to be one of the most challenging slates in recent memory, with eight opponents who will be making a postseason appearance this winter and plenty of cross-country travel to some of the NFL's loudest stadiums.
New England won the AFC East in 2025, and next year, they'll face five of the other seven division champions. With marquee matchups across the AFC and NFC, the Patriots will play one of the premier schedules in the league and are likely to receive plenty of national television attention as a result.
Another international contest could also be under consideration. The Patriots played in Germany in 2023 and England in 2024.
Here's a closer look at who's coming to Gillette Stadium and where the Patriots will travel next fall.

Home Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will host the Bills in a renewed rivalry that figures to be one of the NFL's marquee matchups going forward, pitting Josh Allen against Drake Maye. The Patriots overtook the Bills in the division in 2025, but Buffalo has still reached the playoffs again behind Allen's dynamic playmaking. The road team won both Pats-Bills games in 2025.

Miami Dolphins
Miami could be headed toward a transitional year, at least at quarterback, but their speed and creativity on offense under Mike McDaniel have made them one of the AFC's most dangerous offenses when healthy and clicking. The Patriots swept the Dolphins in 2025 for the first time since 2016.
New York Jets
Like the Dolphins, the Jets will be back on the quarterback market this offseason, but have plenty of draft capital to work with after unloading two star players during the 2025 season. New England also swept the Jets in 2025.
Denver Broncos
Denver will be a must-see home game for New England in 2026. The AFC's top playoff seed is blossoming under second-year quarterback Bo Nix and features a potent defense that has all the right pieces. This will be the first time the Broncos return to New England since an 18-12 Denver win in 2020.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots dropped their season opener to the Raiders in 2025 and Las Vegas went on to win just two more games the entire season. The 2026 Raiders should look a lot different, likely featuring the first overall pick from the 2026 draft. But they also still have, for now, Maxx Crosby, who can wreck a game almost singlehandedly, and Brock Bowers, arguably the best tight end in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers will be coming off a playoff season and boast one of the NFC's most balanced rosters, including dangerous pass rusher Micah Parsons, who will be coming off a torn ACL. This will be the first meeting in Foxborough since 2018, and it promises to be a big-time matchup against a very good NFC team with championship aspirations.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota took a step back in 2025, missing the playoffs, but Justin Jefferson will always be a draw. The Patriots last faced the Vikings on Thanksgiving in 2022, a 33-26 Minnesota win, and held joint practices with the Vikes this past summer.

Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were one of only three teams to beat the Patriots in 2025, and they clawed their way into the playoffs with a gutsy win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. The clock is ticking for Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers defense isn't going anywhere.

Away Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will get their first look at the new Highmark Stadium when they travel to Buffalo in 2026. As always, the Patriots will need to handle Buffalo's home-field advantage and high-powered offense in what is sure to be one of the toughest road venues in the league.
Miami Dolphins
A visit to South Florida is never easy, especially early in the season, though it gave the Patriots fewer problems in Week 2 of 2025. Miami's speed, coupled with the humidity, have historically posed challenges for New England, and this year will be no different no matter what the 2026 Dolphins look like.
New York Jets
The Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for another divisional clash. The Jets should have an influx of young talent as they look to rebuild under head coach Aaron Glenn after a disastrous 2025.

Chicago Bears
The Patriots will travel back to Soldier Field for the second time in three years for a matchup between two breakout division champs from 2025. Chicago's opportunistic defense is dangerous, while playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams and his host of young weapons could make this a classic.
Detroit Lions
Detroit has become one of the NFC's toughest teams, even if they missed the playoffs in 2025. The Lions will reload and still feature a dangerous array of backs, tight ends and receivers who are game changers, along with disruptive defensive players like Brian Branch and Aidan Hutchinson. Could it be Pats-Lions on Thanksgiving perhaps?
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025 but should be expected to reload and be back in the AFC mix. It will be a true road test for Drake Maye against one of the game's greats, assuming Mahomes bounces right back after tearing his ACL in December. It could be time for Maye-Mahomes Round 1… Ding… Ding…
Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots head west to face a Chargers team that they'll either have beaten or lost to in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Either way, the Chargers are loaded with talent, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, and next year there's a good chance they'll be far healthier than they are now, especially at offensive tackle. This matchup will continue to grow this budding AFC rivalry.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle secured the NFC West title and the top seed in the NFC in 2025 and should be every bit as dangerous in 2026. With one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, an explosive offense and one of its best defenses, this is another major road challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots.

Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags punched their AFC South title on Sunday and are poised for a battle against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Trevor Lawrence and company under first-year head coach Liam Coen have been on a tear in the second half of the season and have re-emerged as one of the contenders in the AFC. There's no reason to expect they won't be the same next year. This is another prime matchup in a season loaded with them.

 

[nefansince75]

Think people will be calling this a soft schedule??

The New England Patriots 2026 list of opponents is officially set, and it's shaping up to be one of the most challenging slates in recent memory, with eight opponents who will be making a postseason appearance this winter and plenty of cross-country travel to some of the NFL's loudest stadiums.
New England won the AFC East in 2025, and next year, they'll face five of the other seven division champions. With marquee matchups across the AFC and NFC, the Patriots will play one of the premier schedules in the league and are likely to receive plenty of national television attention as a result.
Another international contest could also be under consideration. The Patriots played in Germany in 2023 and England in 2024.
Here's a closer look at who's coming to Gillette Stadium and where the Patriots will travel next fall.

Home Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will host the Bills in a renewed rivalry that figures to be one of the NFL's marquee matchups going forward, pitting Josh Allen against Drake Maye. The Patriots overtook the Bills in the division in 2025, but Buffalo has still reached the playoffs again behind Allen's dynamic playmaking. The road team won both Pats-Bills games in 2025.

Miami Dolphins
Miami could be headed toward a transitional year, at least at quarterback, but their speed and creativity on offense under Mike McDaniel have made them one of the AFC's most dangerous offenses when healthy and clicking. The Patriots swept the Dolphins in 2025 for the first time since 2016.
New York Jets
Like the Dolphins, the Jets will be back on the quarterback market this offseason, but have plenty of draft capital to work with after unloading two star players during the 2025 season. New England also swept the Jets in 2025.
Denver Broncos
Denver will be a must-see home game for New England in 2026. The AFC's top playoff seed is blossoming under second-year quarterback Bo Nix and features a potent defense that has all the right pieces. This will be the first time the Broncos return to New England since an 18-12 Denver win in 2020.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots dropped their season opener to the Raiders in 2025 and Las Vegas went on to win just two more games the entire season. The 2026 Raiders should look a lot different, likely featuring the first overall pick from the 2026 draft. But they also still have, for now, Maxx Crosby, who can wreck a game almost singlehandedly, and Brock Bowers, arguably the best tight end in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers will be coming off a playoff season and boast one of the NFC's most balanced rosters, including dangerous pass rusher Micah Parsons, who will be coming off a torn ACL. This will be the first meeting in Foxborough since 2018, and it promises to be a big-time matchup against a very good NFC team with championship aspirations.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota took a step back in 2025, missing the playoffs, but Justin Jefferson will always be a draw. The Patriots last faced the Vikings on Thanksgiving in 2022, a 33-26 Minnesota win, and held joint practices with the Vikes this past summer.

Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were one of only three teams to beat the Patriots in 2025, and they clawed their way into the playoffs with a gutsy win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. The clock is ticking for Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers defense isn't going anywhere.

Away Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will get their first look at the new Highmark Stadium when they travel to Buffalo in 2026. As always, the Patriots will need to handle Buffalo's home-field advantage and high-powered offense in what is sure to be one of the toughest road venues in the league.
Miami Dolphins
A visit to South Florida is never easy, especially early in the season, though it gave the Patriots fewer problems in Week 2 of 2025. Miami's speed, coupled with the humidity, have historically posed challenges for New England, and this year will be no different no matter what the 2026 Dolphins look like.
New York Jets
The Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for another divisional clash. The Jets should have an influx of young talent as they look to rebuild under head coach Aaron Glenn after a disastrous 2025.

Chicago Bears
The Patriots will travel back to Soldier Field for the second time in three years for a matchup between two breakout division champs from 2025. Chicago's opportunistic defense is dangerous, while playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams and his host of young weapons could make this a classic.
Detroit Lions
Detroit has become one of the NFC's toughest teams, even if they missed the playoffs in 2025. The Lions will reload and still feature a dangerous array of backs, tight ends and receivers who are game changers, along with disruptive defensive players like Brian Branch and Aidan Hutchinson. Could it be Pats-Lions on Thanksgiving perhaps?
Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025 but should be expected to reload and be back in the AFC mix. It will be a true road test for Drake Maye against one of the game's greats, assuming Mahomes bounces right back after tearing his ACL in December. It could be time for Maye-Mahomes Round 1… Ding… Ding…
Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots head west to face a Chargers team that they'll either have beaten or lost to in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Either way, the Chargers are loaded with talent, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, and next year there's a good chance they'll be far healthier than they are now, especially at offensive tackle. This matchup will continue to grow this budding AFC rivalry.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle secured the NFC West title and the top seed in the NFC in 2025 and should be every bit as dangerous in 2026. With one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, an explosive offense and one of its best defenses, this is another major road challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots.

Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags punched their AFC South title on Sunday and are poised for a battle against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Trevor Lawrence and company under first-year head coach Liam Coen have been on a tear in the second half of the season and have re-emerged as one of the contenders in the AFC. There's no reason to expect they won't be the same next year. This is another prime matchup in a season loaded with them.

Why would anyone call it weak without the benefit of seeing who each team drafts or signs or coaching changes, etc.

Next year has no bearing on this year.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Think people will be calling this a soft schedule??

Home Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will host the Bills in a renewed rivalry that figures to be one of the NFL's marquee matchups going forward, pitting Josh Allen against Drake Maye. The Patriots overtook the Bills in the division in 2025, but Buffalo has still reached the playoffs again behind Allen's dynamic playmaking. The road team won both Pats-Bills games in 2025.

Josh will need to undergo an esophageal dilation procedure in the off season.

Away Games​

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will get their first look at the new Highmark Stadium when they travel to Buffalo in 2026. As always, the Patriots will need to handle Buffalo's home-field advantage and high-powered offense in what is sure to be one of the toughest road venues in the league.

So he doesn't choke so easily.

 

[BigKen]

Why would anyone call it weak without the benefit of seeing who each team drafts or signs or coaching changes, etc.

Next year has no bearing on this year.

This is standard fo finishing low in 2024. This years schedule was based on last year's finish and was considered weak because the non-required games (AFCW,AFCS, AFCS, NFCS,NFCN,NFCW were the lowest finishers in 2024. The Patriots were required to play AFCN and the NFCS as well as 6 divisional games.

2026 has 6 Divisional, AFCW, NFCN as well as three games against three top finishers in 2025 - Seahawks, Jaguars,Steelers. Can't do SOS until after Week 12 of any given year anyway. So the league does the schedule based on the previous years finishes as the model SOS. Rarely do teams go from 12-5 or 13-4 to the opposite over a single offseason. More often they go from 4-13 to 12-5. Rarely does a team pull what the Patriots did and go from 4-13 to 14-3.

 

[nefansince75]

This is standard fo finishing low in 2024. This years schedule was based on last year's finish and was considered weak because the non-required games (AFCW,AFCS, AFCS, NFCS,NFCN,NFCW were the lowest finishers in 2024. The Patriots were required to play AFCN and the NFCS as well as 6 divisional games.

2026 has 6 Divisional, AFCW, NFCN as well as three games against three top finishers in 2025 - Seahawks, Jaguars,Steelers. Can't do SOS until after Week 12 of any given year anyway. So the league does the schedule based on the previous years finishes as the model SOS. Rarely do teams go from 12-5 or 13-4 to the opposite over a single offseason. More often they go from 4-13 to 12-5. Rarely does a team pull what the Patriots did and go from 4-13 to 14-3.

But the Pats had the additional benefit of the NFC South being extra-crappy and the AFC North being crappy to mediocre. To be fair, the entire AFC East did too.

 

[Southieinnc]

But the Pats had the additional benefit of the NFC South being extra-crappy and the AFC North being crappy to mediocre. To be fair, the entire AFC East did too.

The AFCE has the most total wins of the AFC

NFCN and NFCW have more......

 

[BigKen]

Here is the latest NFL/Patriots Schedule for 2026

Here's a quick look at some important dates on the Patriots / NFL calendar in 2026. All dates are subject to change.

FEBRUARY​

February 17: Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m. ET on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
February 23: March 2: NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.

MARCH​

March 3: Prior to 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 9-11: During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, ET, on March 9 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 12.
A prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor ("Unrepresented Player") is permitted to communicate directly with a new club's front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club's coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player's status as an unrepresented player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m. ET, on March 11.
March 11

• The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at 4:00 p.m. ET.
• Trading period for 2026 begins at 4:00 p.m. ET, after expiration of all 2025 contracts.
• The first day of the 2026 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 12. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m. ET, and 11:59:59 p.m. ET, on March 11.

March 29 - April 1: Annual League Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona.

APRIL​

April 6: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2025 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 15: Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview, or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at its club facility.
April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.
April 20: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22

• Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets.
• Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location.

April 23 - 25: NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pa.

MAY​

May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 Draft.

May 1-4 or May 8-11: Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday on one of the two weekends following the Draft.
May 11: Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
May 13 - 17: NFLPA Rookie Premiere, Los Angeles, Cali.
May 19 - 20: Spring League Meeting, Orlando, Fla.

JUNE​

June 1: Deadline for prior club to send "June 1 Tender" to its unsigned restricted free agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only for such player to be subject to the CBA's "June 15 Tender" provision.
June 15: Deadline for club to withdraw higher qualifying offer to restricted free agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting lower "June 15 Tender" of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player's prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged).
Late June: Rookie Readiness Program to be held at individual clubs.

JULY​

July 15: At 4:00 p.m. ET, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2026 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club's last regular season game.
Mid-July

• Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies (defined as a player who has never signed an NFL player contract with a club in a prior league year) beginning seven days prior to the club's mandatory reporting date for veteran players.
• Clubs may require first-year players (defined as a player who signed an NFL player contract with any club in a prior league year, but who does not have a pension-credited season) to report on the designated reporting date for all rookies, or at any time thereafter, including, but not limited to, the designated reporting date for veteran quarterbacks and injured players, or the designated reporting date for all other veteran players.
• Veteran quarterbacks and "injured players" (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may be required to report to the club's preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies. At 4:00 p.m. ET, signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

July 22: At 4:00 p.m. ET, on July 22 (or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp whichever is later) signing period ends for unrestricted free agents to whom a "UFA Tender" was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m. ET, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

 

[BigKen]

The Miami Dolphins will play a HOME game in Madrid Spain.

No opponent has been named yet, but the Bills and the Patriots are both being considered by the NFL. The Patriots went to Miami earlier than the Dolphins were in Foxboro in 2025 so it should be a later game. Thing is, the league doesn't like playing games in Europe in the final 4-8 weeks of the season. This is a first for Spain and a first NFL visit to Spain. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, has a seating capacity of approximately 83,186 to 85,000 following its extensive renovation. The venue features fully covered seating, a retractable roof, and a, retractable pitch system.

Anyone planning a trip??

 

[packerzrule]

Tough ass schedule.

 

[BigKen]

Tough ass schedule.

We'll find out how good they are playing against the iron every week.

My guess is that's the reason that he's making so many changes and not retaining restricted free agents.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

The Miami Dolphins will play a HOME game in Madrid Spain.

No opponent has been named yet, but the Bills and the Patriots are both being considered by the NFL. The Patriots went to Miami earlier than the Dolphins were in Foxboro in 2025 so it should be a later game. Thing is, the league doesn't like playing games in Europe in the final 4-8 weeks of the season. This is a first for Spain and a first NFL visit to Spain. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid, has a seating capacity of approximately 83,186 to 85,000 following its extensive renovation. The venue features fully covered seating, a retractable roof, and a, retractable pitch system.

Anyone planning a trip??

Might be cheaper than Boston...

 

[BigKen]

Here's the official workout schedule before trainuing camp.

New England Patriots start April 20, hold OTAs May 27, May 29, June 1–2, June 4, and June 8–9 and June 11, with mandatory minicamp June 15–17.

 

[BigKen]

NFL is sending out schedule teases.

New England Patriots 14-3

• Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
• Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Seattle

 

[Yankee Traveler]

NFL is sending out schedule teases.

New England Patriots 14-3

• Home: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Denver, Green Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota, Pittsburgh
• Away: Buffalo, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Seattle

So...realistically...

They beat Buffalo in Buffalo last year they can do it again this year. And play mistake free and beat them at home. NY and Miami equal 6-0.
Pittsburgh and LV will be revenge games that need to be without the mistakes of last year. 8-0.
Minnesota and Green Bay will not be a pushovers but they will be at home, hopefully late in the year I'll count those as wins. 10-0
Denver, Toughest home game because Bo Nix will be ready to prove they would have gone to the SB if he was healthy. Sean Peyton will have the team prepped, But the Pats pull out a close one with home field advantage. 11-0.
Jacksonville is almost a gimme. 12-0
Chicago and Detroit will be good games that the Pats should win, not blow anybody out, but once they get an early lead It will be about Finishing clean.14-0.
Kansas City is not who they were just a couple years ago and Mahomes will be less mobile on that surgically repaired knee, at least this year. 15-0.
LA and Seattle will be the toughest two games. A fortified O Line, Brown, Diggs and Boutte will be ready to prove that individually and as a group they are the best in the league...17-0.


Undefeated!!!!

 

[Southieinnc]

So...realistically...

They beat Buffalo in Buffalo last year they can do it again this year. And play mistake free and beat them at home. NY and Miami equal 6-0.
Pittsburgh and LV will be revenge games that need to be without the mistakes of last year. 8-0.
Minnesota and Green Bay will not be a pushovers but they will be at home, hopefully late in the year I'll count those as wins. 10-0
Denver, Toughest home game because Bo Nix will be ready to prove they would have gone to the SB if he was healthy. Sean Peyton will have the team prepped, But the Pats pull out a close one with home field advantage. 11-0.
Jacksonville is almost a gimme. 12-0
Chicago and Detroit will be good games that the Pats should win, not blow anybody out, but once they get an early lead It will be about Finishing clean.14-0.
Kansas City is not who they were just a couple years ago and Mahomes will be less mobile on that surgically repaired knee, at least this year. 15-0.
LA and Seattle will be the toughest two games. A fortified O Line, Brown, Diggs and Boutte will be ready to prove that individually and as a group they are the best in the league...17-0.


Undefeated!!!!

@cdumler7 , coming at ya!

 

[BigKen]

"NFL Schedule Release - Thursday, May 14 at 8pm ET on NFL Network,"

 

[nefansince75]

"NFL Schedule Release - Thursday, May 14 at 8pm ET on NFL Network,"

Something tells me it will be posted here shortly after.

 

[cdumler7]

@cdumler7 , coming at ya!