For the 21st consecutive year, NBC and Peacock will broadcast Sunday Night Football, delivering the 2026 NFL schedule to viewers across the U.S. The season opener marks a rematch of Super Bowl LIX, featuring the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9.
The New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium, with the Cowboys slated for two additional appearances later in the season. The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will face off on Thanksgiving Night, a tradition that continues on NBC.
The regular season concludes in Week 18 with a primetime matchup selected for its playoff implications. Flex scheduling may adjust the lineup in Week 5, though the NFL reserves the right to make changes only under significant circumstances, such as a franchise quarterback injury.
2026 Sunday Night Football Schedule
- Week 1: Cowboys at Giants
- Week 2: Colts at Chiefs
- Week 3: Rams at Broncos
- Week 4: Lions at Panthers
- Week 5: Ravens at Falcons (flexible scheduling possible)
- Week 6: Cowboys at Packers
- Week 7: Chiefs at Seahawks
- Week 8: Eagles at Commanders
- Week 9: Buccaneers at Bears
- Week 10: Steelers at Bengals
- Week 11: Vikings at 49ers (Mexico City)
- Week 12: Patriots at Chargers
- Week 13: Texans at Steelers
- Week 14: Bills at Packers
- Week 15: Lions at Vikings
- Week 16: Jaguars at Cowboys
- Week 17: Eagles at 49ers
- Week 18: TBD (playoff-relevant primetime game)
NBC will also air a Peacock-exclusive game at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 2, following a 4:30 p.m. ET broadcast.
The decision to flex or not to flex is made by the NFL, typically reserved for extraordinary circumstances such as a season-ending injury to a key player.
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