Detroit Lions release 2026 schedule, will play New Orleans Saints in Game 1
The Detroit Lions released their official 2026 season schedule, with the first matchup set at home against the New Orleans Saints.
The schedule followed the announcement that the Lions would host the Super Bowl runner-up, the New England Patriots, in Germany, and the Ben Johnson-led Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. The Lions and Bears have met 20 times on Thanksgiving, and last faced off on Turkey Day in 2024, with Detroit holding on for a 23-20 win.
The Lions-Patriots matchup will be Detroit's first international game since 2015.
This year, the Lions will have one Monday Night Football game (Week 16) and two Sunday Night Football games (Week 2 and 15). Week 15 against the Vikings will be the team's first primetime game in Minnesota since the 2000 season.
Additionally, will have back-to-back NFC North games in Week 7 and 8 (Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings).
Detroit is coming off a 9-8 season in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Now, with staff and player changes, the Lions are looking to turn this upcoming season around and return to the top of the NFC North.
Detroit Lions full 2026 schedule:
- Week 1: Sept. 12 at home against New Orleans Saints (FOX)
- Week 2: Sept. 17 at Buffalo Bills (PRIME)
- Week 3: Sept. 27 at home against New York Jets (FOX)
- Week 4: Oct. 4 at Carolina Panthers (NBC)
- Week 5: Oct. 11 at Arizona Cardinals (FOX)
- Week 6: BYE WEEK
- Week 7: Oct. 25 at home against Green Bay Packers (FOX)
- Week 8: Nov. 1 at home against Minnesota Vikings (FOX)
- Week 9: Nov. 8 at Miami Dolphins (FOX)
- Week 10: Nov 15 in Germany against New England Patriots (FOX)
- Week 11: Nov. 22 at home against Tampa Bay Buccaneers (CBS)
- Week 12: Nov. 26 at home against Chicago Bears (CBS)
- Week 13: Dec. 6 at Atlanta Falcons (CBS)
- Week 14: Dec. 13 at home against Tennessee Titans (FOX)
- Week 15: Dec. 20 at Minnesota Vikings (NBC)
- Week 16: Dec. 28 at home against New York Giants (ESPN)
- Week 17: Jan. 3 at Chicago Bears (FOX)
- Week 18: TBD at Green Bay Packers