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when does the 2026 nfl schedule come out

The 2026 NFL schedule does not have an official release date yet, but all signs point to mid‑May 2026 , with multiple outlets specifically projecting Wednesday, May 13, 2026 as the likely date.

Quick Scoop: What to Expect

  • The NFL has turned schedule release night into a made‑for‑TV and social media event, so they keep the exact date “TBD” until closer to spring.
  • In recent years, full schedules have dropped in mid‑May , usually on a Wednesday, after free agency and the NFL Draft wrap up.
  • A major ticket marketplace and schedule guide lists May 13, 2026 as the anticipated 2026 NFL schedule release date, based on recent patterns.

Fans are basically in a holding pattern until after the 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh (April 23–25), when the league can lock in prime‑time and international matchups.

Why Mid‑May?

  • The league likes to see how free agency and the Draft shake out before deciding which games get the big TV windows.
  • Recent schedule drops: 2025 (May 14), 2024 (May 15), 2023 (May 11), 2022 (May 12), 2021 (May 12).
  • With the 2026 Draft ending April 25, insiders expect the league to avoid the immediate week after and aim for the second or third week of May.

How It Will Likely Roll Out

  • Teams usually start teasing or posting their individual schedules around 7:30 p.m. ET on their own sites and socials.
  • The full league schedule typically follows at 8:00 p.m. ET on national TV, with leaks and rumors trickling out earlier in the day.
  • Once it drops, you’ll see instant breakdowns of key games, international dates, and projected “game of the year” matchups.

Simple Answer

If you’re just planning ahead:

  • Most likely window: Mid‑May 2026.
  • Most specific projection so far: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 , in prime time, though the NFL has not officially confirmed it yet.

TL;DR: If you’re Googling “when does the 2026 NFL schedule come out,” plan on mid‑May 2026 , with a strong prediction of May 13 as the big reveal night.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.