The Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule features 17 regular-season games, including NFC North rivalry matchups, multiple primetime appearances, the annual Thanksgiving game and an international matchup in Germany.
Detroit begins its 2026 NFL season on Sunday, September 13, when the Lions host the New Orleans Saints at 1:00 PM ET.
The Lions then face a short turnaround, traveling to play the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 17 at 8:15 PM ET.
Detroit Lions Schedule 2026
Here is the Detroit Lions’ 2026 regular-season schedule. All kickoff times are Eastern Time.
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM |
| Week 2 | Thursday, Sept. 17 | Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills | 8:15 PM |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | New York Jets at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers | 8:20 PM |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals | 4:25 PM |
| Week 6 | — | BYE WEEK | — |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions | 4:25 PM |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins | 1:00 PM |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions — Munich | 9:30 AM |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM |
| Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions — Thanksgiving | 1:00 PM |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 PM |
| Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions | 1:00 PM |
| Week 15 | Sunday, Dec. 20 | Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings | 8:20 PM |
| Week 16 | Monday, Dec. 28 | New York Giants at Detroit Lions | 8:15 PM |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears | 4:25 PM |
| Week 18 | TBD | Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers | TBD |
Who Do the Detroit Lions Play Today?
The Detroit Lions play the New Orleans Saints today, Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET in Detroit.
The game marks the beginning of Detroit’s 2026 regular season before the Lions travel to Buffalo for Thursday Night Football four days later.
What Time Do the Detroit Lions Play Today?
The Lions game starts at 1:00 PM ET today.
For viewers across the United States, kickoff is scheduled for:
- Eastern Time: 1:00 PM
- Central Time: 12:00 PM
- Mountain Time: 11:00 AM
- Pacific Time: 10:00 AM
When Is the Lions’ Bye Week?
The Detroit Lions have their bye during Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season.
Detroit plays the Arizona Cardinals on October 11 before getting the week off. The Lions return in Week 7 to host the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers on October 25.
Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Game 2026
The Lions continue their longstanding Thanksgiving tradition when they host the Chicago Bears on Thursday, November 26.
Kickoff for Bears vs. Lions is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET.
The Thanksgiving matchup is especially significant because it features two NFC North rivals competing during one of the NFL’s biggest annual television windows.
Detroit Lions Munich Game
Detroit will also play internationally during the 2026 season.
The Lions face the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, November 15.
Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 AM ET, giving fans in the United States an early-morning NFL game.
The matchup is one of the most unique games on Detroit’s 2026 schedule and gives the Lions an opportunity to play in front of an international audience.
Detroit Lions Primetime Games
Detroit’s 2026 schedule includes several games outside the traditional Sunday afternoon window.
Notable primetime and standalone games include:
- Week 2: Lions at Bills — Thursday, 8:15 PM ET
- Week 4: Lions at Panthers — Sunday, 8:20 PM ET
- Week 12: Bears at Lions — Thanksgiving, 1:00 PM ET
- Week 15: Lions at Vikings — Sunday, 8:20 PM ET
- Week 16: Giants at Lions — Monday, 8:15 PM ET
Detroit’s international matchup against New England also receives a standalone 9:30 AM ET kickoff.
Detroit Lions NFC North Schedule
As members of the NFC North, the Lions play the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears twice each.
Detroit’s divisional schedule includes:
| Opponent | Home Game | Away Game |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | Oct. 25 | Week 18 |
| Minnesota Vikings | Nov. 1 | Dec. 20 |
| Chicago Bears | Nov. 26 | Jan. 3 |
The Lions’ regular season concludes with an NFC North matchup at Green Bay in Week 18. The date and kickoff time will be announced later in the season.
When Do the Lions Play the Packers?
The Lions play the Green Bay Packers twice during the 2026 season.
Green Bay visits Detroit on Sunday, October 25 at 4:25 PM ET.
Detroit then travels to Green Bay for the regular-season finale in Week 18, with the date and kickoff time to be determined.
When Do the Lions Play the Bears?
Detroit’s first matchup against Chicago comes on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26 at 1:00 PM ET.
The Lions then visit the Bears on Sunday, January 3 at 4:25 PM ET.
When Do the Lions Play the Vikings?
Detroit hosts Minnesota on Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 PM ET.
The Lions travel to Minnesota for the rematch on Sunday, December 20 at 8:20 PM ET.
Detroit Lions Home Games 2026
Detroit’s home schedule includes games against the Saints, Jets, Packers, Vikings, Buccaneers, Bears, Titans and Giants.
That gives Lions fans several major matchups in Detroit, highlighted by NFC North games against Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago.
Detroit Lions Road Games 2026
Detroit’s road schedule includes trips to Buffalo, Carolina, Arizona, Miami, Atlanta, Minnesota, Chicago and Green Bay.
The Lions will also travel internationally to Munich, Germany, for their game against the New England Patriots.
Detroit Lions Schedule: What to Know
The 2026 Detroit Lions schedule provides a mix of divisional rivalries, primetime games and unique national and international matchups.
Detroit opens the season at home against New Orleans on September 13, plays Chicago on Thanksgiving, travels to Munich to face New England, and finishes the regular season on the road against Green Bay.
With six NFC North games and several standalone national television appearances, the Lions will have plenty of high-profile matchups throughout the 2026 NFL season.