The Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 slate is packed with national TV dates, a multi-game prime-time run, and a landmark international matchup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with stops at AT&T Stadium and several marquee road venues. The NFL dropped the regular-season schedule on Thursday, and Dallas will open on the road, host traditional rivals at home, and travel for what will be the league’s first regular-season game in Rio. Expect the usual Thanksgiving spotlight and at least seven national television appearances across broadcast and streaming partners.
The Cowboys are lined up for six prime-time games plus their annual Thanksgiving afternoon contest, with two primetime home games scheduled at AT&T Stadium and the rest on the road. That heavy prime-time footprint gives Dak Prescott and Co. repeated national exposure, and it also means tougher travel logistics across the season. The mix of Thursday, Sunday night, and Monday showings puts Dallas in front of different audiences on multiple platforms.
The season opener is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, at the New York Giants on NBC, marking the fourth straight year Dallas starts away from home. That early road trip kicks off a stretch where division and conference tests come fast and often, and it sets the tone for how the Cowboys manage momentum out of the gate. The home opener follows the next week against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 20, giving fans their first chance to see the team at AT&T Stadium in 2026.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, Dallas will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro, the NFL’s first regular-season game in Brazil and a notable international step for the league. This will be the Cowboys’ second international regular-season appearance, their first coming in London back in 2014 against Jacksonville, and it reflects the NFL’s drive to grow the game globally. For players and staff, the trip adds an extra layer of preparation and adjustment, while for fans it’s a rare chance to see the team on a truly global stage.
The schedule turns back to domestic rivalry play with a game at the Houston Texans on Oct. 4, then slides into a three-game prime-time sequence that headlines midseason. Dallas hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Oct. 8, in a Prime Video exclusive, then faces back-to-back road prime-time tests at Green Bay on Sunday, Oct. 18, and at Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 26. Those matchups will be focal points for analysts and could be season-defining swings depending on outcomes and injuries.
November brings a tough block with consecutive home dates against the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 15 and the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 22, followed by the traditional Thanksgiving Day game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 26. Playing Philadelphia twice in the same season, including a holiday slot, adds an extra edge to the rivalry and gives both teams multiple chances to settle scores. Fans should also note that the Cowboys have a Week 14 bye on Dec. 13, a timing that can influence late-season rhythms and recovery plans.
The closing stretch features crucial road and home contests, including a Monday night trip to Seattle on Dec. 7, a Sunday, Dec. 20 visit to the Los Angeles Rams, and a primetime home game vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 27. The regular season ends with New York Giants at home on Jan. 3 and a season finale on Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, with exact kickoff times and TV partners to be finalized later. Game times and television assignments are subject to change, with the league likely to make flex scheduling adjustments as the picture clears.
Here’s the full regular season schedule:
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | at New York Giants | 7:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | Washington Commanders | 3:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | Baltimore Ravens (Rio de Janeiro) | 3:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | at Houston Texans | Noon | FOX |
| 5 | Thursday, Oct. 8 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | at Green Bay Packers | 7:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 7 | Monday, Oct. 26 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | Arizona Cardinals | Noon | FOX |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | at Indianapolis Colts | Noon | FOX |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | San Francisco 49ers | 3:25 p.m. | FOX |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | Tennessee Titans | Noon | FOX |
| 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Philadelphia Eagles (Thanksgiving) | 3:30 p.m. | FOX |
| 13 | Monday, Dec. 7 | at Seattle Seahawks | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | Bye | — | — |
| 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | at Los Angeles Rams | 3:25 p.m. | CBS |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 27 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 7:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | New York Giants | Noon | FOX |
| 18 | Jan. 9 or 10 | at Washington Commanders | TBD | TBD |
As always with NFL scheduling, expect adjustments as the season approaches; the league commonly updates kickoff windows and television partners to maximize matchups and accommodate playoff races. That uncertainty means fans should keep an eye on official announcements for any shifts, particularly for the late-season primetime games that might be flexed. In the meantime, the 2026 calendar is set and it offers a high-profile, travel-heavy test for a Cowboys squad used to big moments.
