2026 NFL schedule release could be delayed by a week
Because of a five-game package the NFL is trying to sell, the schedule release might not come next week.
The next event in the NFL offseason schedule is the 2026 regular-season schedule release. That traditionally has come in the second week in May. Early reports have the release coming either May 13 or May 14.
However, that could be delayed by a week, NFL VP of broadcast planning Mike North said on the "It's Always Game Day in Buffalo" podcast . "I don't think it's coming out in June, but that second week in May has been our target the last few years, but I don't know that it's impossible to think about that third week in May," North said. One of the reasons why the schedule release could be delayed is because of a five-game package the league is trying to negotiate with broadcast partners.
"These five games that are out there as a package that are being negotiated right now, love to know when, where those games are going to be played so we can schedule them accordingly," North said. According to Pro Football Talk , the league and YouTube are approaching a deal for a five-game package that includes the Week 1 game in Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, a potential game the day before Thanksgiving, a second Black Friday game, a Christmas Eve game and one other game. Every team already knows who their opponents will be.
The scheduled release simply puts them in order, shows fans where the bye weeks are, how many prime-time games their preferred team gets and gives them the green light to begin travel plans if there are games they wish to attend. Whether it is next week or the following, the schedule release is coming. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast.