Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 NFL preseason schedule officially released

The Las Vegas Raiders officially released their preseason schedule. They will kick things off by facing the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium on August 13 during Week 1 of the NFL preseason. The Raiders will get an excellent glimpse at their 2026 rookie class throughout the entirety of the preseason .

Las Vegas was credited with one of the top draft classes in the league following last month’s NFL Draft, and the Raiders suddenly find themselves with an elite young core on both sides of the football. Las Vegas will be on the road for a matchup with the Houston Texans during Week 2 of the preseason, followed by a third and final contest against the San Francisco 49ers at home. Rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza will undoubtedly use the preseason to his advantage this August, as the former Indiana star should be able to get a solid feel for things across three weeks of preseason action prior to kickoff in September.

Mendoza is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the Raiders’ starting quarterback despite being a rookie. The former first overall pick could certainly have his hands full during Week 2 of the preseason in Houston, as the Texans’ defense would prove to be the ultimate test for the rookie should they decide to keep their starters in throughout the first half. Week 3’s matchup against the 49ers will be extremely important as well, as the Raiders’ young defensive core could be tested early and often against San Francisco.

Mendoza and the rest of the Raiders’ rising stars will be at the center of attention throughout all three weeks of the preseason in August, and the team as a whole will look to start the 2026 campaign with a string of wins later this summer. This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Las Vegas Raiders' 2026 NFL preseason schedule officially released