Detroit Lions' 2026 schedule includes 9 nationally televised games, 4 primetime matchups and road-heavy closing stretch
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions’ schedule for the 2026 season has been released.
Here’s the final breakdown, which includes nine nationally televised games, four primetime matchups, a relatively early bye week, and a closing flurry of three divisional road games during the final month.
Note: *** indicates game is nationally televised.
Week 1 — vs. New Orleans Saints
Sun., Sept. 13, 1 p.m., FOX ***
The Lions will host the Saints for the first time since 2020 and open the season against the foe for the first time since 2009.
Former Detroit quarterback Kellen Moore is entering his second season as the opposition’s head coach, having led them to a 6-11 mark in 2025.
Week 2 — at Buffalo Bills
Thur., Sept. 17, 8:15, Amazon Prime ***
This will mark the regular season debut of Buffalo’s brand new Highmark Stadium. A preseason Super Bowl favorite in the AFC, the Bills will be led by first-year coach Joe Brady, who has served as the team’s offensive coordinator the previous three seasons.
Week 3 — vs. New York Jets
Sun., Sept. 27, 1 p.m., FOX
Former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will lead the Jets to Detroit after posting a disappointing 3-14 record in his first season at the helm. The team refreshed its roster, particularly in the draft, with four top-50 picks. That group is by edge rusher David Bailey and tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
The team still has lingering concerns at quarterback. They plugged the hole by trading for Geno Smith, the team’s first-round pick in 2013.
Week 4 — at Carolina Panthers
Sun., Oct. 4, 8:20 p.m., NBC ***
Fresh off the team’s first playoff appearance in eight years, the Panthers invested heavily in its defense this offseason, signing edge Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. They also aggressively added at offensive tackle, signing former Packers blindside blocker Rasheed Walker before selecting Georgia’s Monroe Freeling in the first round of the draft.
Week 5 — at Arizona Cardinals
Sun., Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m., FOX ***
Incoming offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will get a chance to face his former team, now led by former Rams OC Mike LaFleur. The Cardinals are going through a transition period after trading away quarterback Kyler Murray and using the No. 3 pick on running back Jeremiyah Love.
Week 6 — Bye week
It’s an early bye week for the Lions, who won’t play their first divisional game until after this midseason break.
Week 7 — vs. Green Bay Packers
Sun., Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m., FOX ***
After getting swept by the Packers a year ago, the Lions will get their first crack at the hated rival at home with fresh legs. The opposition will certainly look different, with Romeo Doubs, Rashan Gary, Elgton Jenkins, Rasheed Walker and Quay Walker either traded, released or signing elsewhere in free agency. The team also lacked a first-round pick this offseason, having sent it to Dallas in exchange for Micah Parsons a year earlier.
Week 8 — vs. Minnesota Vikings
Sun., Nov. 1, 1 p.m., FOX
Notably, the Vikings will have a new quarterback after acquiring Murray from the Cardinals. That should help get the team’s potent offense back on track, a group that's been further bolstered by the recent signing of wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
The defense, meanwhile, experienced some significant departures this offseason, particularly up front, where edge rusher Johnathan Greenard was traded and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave were released. The team backfilled those losses by selecting defensive lineman Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange in April’s draft.
Week 9 — at Miami Dolphins
Sun., Nov. 8, 1 p.m., FOX
Detroit will see its third first-year coach in eight games, but a familiar face with former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley leading the Dolphins. In addition to that change at the top, the team also parted with many of its top players, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, plus defensive end Bradley Chubb. To replace Tagovailoa, the team signed Packers backup Malik Willis.
Week 10 — vs. New England Patriots (in Munich, Germany)
Sun., Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. FOX ***
In what should be one of the season’s most intriguing matchups, the Lions play host (overseas) to the defending AFC champions, who are still in the mix for three-time Pro Bowl receiver AJ Brown to round out an offense that finished No. 2 in scoring last season.
This will be Detroit’s first international game since 2015. The Patriots, meanwhile, played in London in 2024.
Week 11 — vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sun., Nov. 22, 1 p.m., CBS
It’s going to be strange to see the Buccaneers without future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans, but that storyline will likely be secondary to the returns of former Detroit defenders Alex Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad, who both signed with Tampa Bay this offseason.
Week 12 — vs. Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving Classic)
Thurs., Nov. 26, 1 p.m., CBS ***
By this stage of the season, we’ll have a pretty good idea how Chicago is holding up in its defense of the NFC North crown, while battling through the first-place schedule that goes along with that previous success.
The foe dealt with the unexpected retirement of center Drew Dalman this offseason, and also traded away No. 1 receiver DJ Moore, as former Lions OC Ben Johnson prepares to lean on his arsenal of young weapons — Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Colston Loveland. Also, keep an eye out for longtime Lion Kalif Raymond, who joined the Bears this offseason.
Week 13 — at Atlanta Falcons
Sun., Dec. 6, 1 p.m., CBS
Two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski takes over the Falcons and the team’s less-than-exciting quarterback situation. Who will emerge between Michael Penix and Tagovailoa? Does it matter? For the time being, the bigger threat remains superstar running back Bijan Robinson.
Week 14 — vs. Tennessee Titans
Sun., Dec. 13, 1 p.m., FOX
A new coach, but not one new to head coaching, Dearborn native Robert Saleh takes over the rebuilding Titans, led by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. He’ll have some new weapons in first-round pick Carnell Tate and free-agent addition Wan’Dale Robinson.
Week 15 — at Minnesota Vikings
Sun., Dec. 20, 8:20 p.m., NBC ***
Detroit’s season effectively ended on Christmas Day in Minnesota a year ago. The Lions will be looking for a measure of vengeance in primetime, kicking off a stretch of three road divisional matchups the final four weeks of the season.
Week 16 — vs. New York Giants
Mon., Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m., ESPN ***
How do you feel about a second primetime game in as many weeks, assuming neither gets flexed for a better matchup? The NFL schedule-makers are banking on John Harbaugh providing a jolt for a young, exciting Giants team led by second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart, who missed last year’s matchup between the sides. Star receiver Malik Nabers and bruising back Cam Skattebo also missed that overtime contest with injuries.
Week 17 — at Chicago Bears
Sun., Jan. 3, 4:25 p.m., FOX ***
The Lions, under coach Dan Campbell, haven’t been intimidated by playing in cold weather. Good thing, given the team finishes with two in chilly elements. Detroit has won three out of four at Soldier Field, including late-season matchups the past two years.
Week 18 — at Green Bay Packers
Time, date and network TBD
The Packers snapped a three-game home losing streak against the Lions in last year’s season-opener. The last time these two teams closed the season at Lambeau, the rising Lions stunned the Packers with a late-game hook-and-ladder, keeping their rival out of the postseason.