The New England Patriots' 2026 schedule was released on May 14, 2026, as confirmed by the NFL. The season opens with a Super Bowl XLIX rematch against the Seattle Seahawks at Gillette Stadium on September 10, 2026. The regular season concludes at home against the Miami Dolphins on January 3, 2027.
Head coach Mike Vrabel, in his second season, faces a challenging slate. The Patriots will play six divisional games against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. Key non-divisional opponents include the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers.
The schedule features five prime-time games: two on Sunday Night Football, two on Monday Night Football, and one on Thursday Night Football. The Patriots' bye week is in Week 10 (November 8-9, 2026).
Notable matchups include a Week 5 trip to Lambeau Field to face the Packers and a Week 12 home game against the Chiefs. The team's strength of schedule is ranked 12th in the NFL based on opponents' 2025 win percentages.
