> At a Glance
> – The 2025 NFL season’s final standings locked in the 272-game lineup for 2026.
> – Every team now knows its 17 opponents, though dates remain TBA until spring.
> – NFC clubs get nine home games; AFC clubs get eight.
> – Why it matters: Fans can start circling must-watch revenge games and travel plans today.
With the regular-season finale in the books, the NFL’s scheduling formula has already mapped out every 2026 matchup. The league’s rotation blends divisional rivalries, cross-conference games, and three flex games tied to 2025 finishers.
How the Formula Works
Each club plays:
- Six division games
- Six versus same-conference, non-division foes
- Five against the opposite conference
The final three slots-two inside the conference, one outside-pair teams that finished in identical spots in their divisions. Those placements are now official, cementing the full 17-game slate for all 32 franchises.
2026 Home/Away Breakdown
NFC squads will host nine contests; AFC squads host eight. The imbalance stems from the 17-game format introduced in 2021 and flips conference-by-conference each year.
Notable highlights pulled from the released schedule:
- Arizona hosts the Jets and travels to Kansas City
- Dallas entertains Baltimore and visits Green Bay
- Kansas City welcomes Indy and heads to Atlanta
- Philadelphia draws Carolina at home and Tampa Bay on the road
Key Takeaways
- Dates and kickoff times drop this spring, but opponents are locked
- NFC’s extra home game could sway wild-card tiebreakers
- Three flex games ensure top finishers face stiffer competition
- Road warriors like the Chiefs and Cowboys face cross-country swings
Ticket holders and tailgaters can start plotting 2026 pilgrimages now-just don’t book flights until the league releases the calendar.
