Patriots Schedule Tracker: Confirmed Games, Rumors & Everything Else We Know

The New England Patriots know who they'll face off against in 2026. When those games will happen remain a mystery.

But not for long. The 2026 NFL schedule is slated to officially drop later this week, and there will be plenty of question marks heading into the announcement. Will New England travel overseas for the third time in four years? Do they make an appearance on Thanksgiving or Christmas? When will they welcome in some of the league's best teams to Gillette Stadium?

Lucky for you, here's the one place you need for all the Patriots schedule news this week.

Whether it's rumors about when the Patriots will play on primetime, where their bye week gets slotted and if there are any long road trips to plan for, check back here for all your schedule updates.

2026 Opponents:

Sep 7, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) react after the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

What we know for certain is the teams New England will play against. Because of their drastic success last season en route to their 12th Super Bowl appearance, the Patriots will be going up against a first place schedule, along with their tri-annual meeting with the AFC West. Additionally, they'll face off against the NFC North for the first time since 2022.

They'll play against the following teams at home: Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings

New England will play against the following teams on the road: Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks

Official 2026 Schedule:

Oct 9, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws the ball away after being chased by New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon (9) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Week 1 at Seattle Seahawks - Sunday Night Football* (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Week 2 vs Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m.)
Week 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m.)
Week 4 at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m.)
Week 5 vs Las Vegas Raiders (1 p.m.)
Week 6 vs New York Jets (1 p.m.)
Week 7 at Chicago Bears - Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime)
Week 8 at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m.)
Week 9 vs Green Bay Packers (4:25 pm)
Week 10 at Detroit Lions - Munich, Germany (9:30 a.m. on FOX)
Week 11 - BYE WEEK
Week 12 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sunday Night Football (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Week 13 vs Buffalo Bills (4:25 p.m.)
Week 14 vs Minnesota Vikings - Thursday Night Football (8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime)
Week 15 at Kansas City Chiefs - Monday Night Football (8:20 p.m. on ESPN)
Week 16 at New York Jets (1 p.m.)
Week 17 vs Denver Broncos (TBD)
Week 18 vs Miami Dolphins (TBD)

*Season opener is being played on a Wednesday

Patriots-Related Leaks/Rumors:

With the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys announced as the opening Sunday Night Football game, the Patriots remain as a possible contender for the season-opener against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Additionally, we have conflicting reports on the team's season opener. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo believes it's unlikely that the Patriots travel to Seattle for the Seahawks' banner raising, while Barstool Sports' Kirk Minihane reports that it will happen.

The NFL announced that the first Monday Night Football game will be against the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, ruling out those two teams for a Patriots Week 1 matchup.

According to Benjamin Allbright, the Broncos are hosting a game on Christmas. Because Denver is slated to come to Gillette Stadium for their game, the Patriots won't be playing the Broncos in Week 16.

Several teams on New England's schedule have had games leaked. The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing the Houston Texans on Dec. 6 (Week 13) and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 14 (Week 14). That eliminates the Patriots from playing Pittsburgh in either Week 13 or 14, or Jacksonville in Week 12 (they'll be playing the Titans) or 14.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders are also playing in Week 14, meaning the Patriots won't play either of those teams that week either. The Raiders will host the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, eliminating the Patriots from hosting either of those teams that day (Oct. 18).

International Possibilities:

Oct 20, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (4) smiles after gaining yards in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images | Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been a big advocate for international play, and his team is no stranger to overseas visits. They've played games in London (2009, 2012, 2024), Mexico City (2017) and Frankfurt (2023). What does this year have in store for the Patriots when it comes to traveling abroad?

There's a possibility. We know for certain that the Patriots won't be playing in either Melbourne, Australia in Week 1 or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in Week 3. It's also confirmed that they won't be playing in Madrid against the Falcons, London against the Commanders, Paris against the Saints or Mexico City against the 49ers.

The two places that the Patriots could possibly play are in Munich, Germany against the Lions, or London, England against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has two home games in London this season, but that exact matchup was played just two seasons ago. According to @NerdingonNFL, the Jaguars will play back-to-back games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans in London, meaning New England won't be heading to the United Kingdom in 2026.

@NerdingonNFL later reported that the Patriots will be playing the Lions in Munich on Nov. 15 (Week 10). This would be the second time in four seasons that the Patriots suit up in Germany (2023 vs Indianapolis Colts) and the first time the game will be played in Munich. That's since been confirmed by the team.

Preseason/Training Camp Matchups:

Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith (82) makes a catch for an extra point against New England Patriots cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (27) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

The Patriots will also have three preseason games this summer, with two of them being at Gillette Stadium. It's already been confirmed that one of those home games will be against the Philadelphia Eagles, who were in town ahead of the 2024 season. That visit, which includes a joint practice, could make for an interesting few days depending on how an AJ Brown trade shakes out in the next month.

The official 2026 NFL schedule with dates and times will be released in full on May 14. This story will be updated when games/times are announced, or if any schedule leaks slip through the cracks.

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