when is the first nfl playoff game

The first game of the upcoming NFL playoffs is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026 , as part of Wild Card Weekend.

Key details

• The 2025–26 NFL playoffs officially begin on January 10, 2026 , with the opening Wild Card matchup.

• That first game will be part of the league’s expanded Wild Card slate that runs from Saturday, Jan. 10 through Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

• Exact teams and kickoff time for that first game depend on the final regular-season standings and will be confirmed closer to the playoffs.

Quick Scoop

• Start date: Saturday, January 10, 2026.

• Opening round: Wild Card Weekend (Jan. 10–12, 2026).

• Road to Super Bowl LX: Runs through late January, culminating on February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium.

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