The New England Patriots 2026 schedule features a challenging mix of AFC East rivalries, marquee home games, nationally televised matchups and an international contest in Germany. New England opens the regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9, before returning to Gillette Stadium to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.
For fans planning to attend games, the 2026 schedule provides plenty of opportunities to see the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, including matchups against the Steelers, Raiders, Jets, Packers, Bills and Vikings. Official Patriots ticket information also lists the currently scheduled home games and available ticket options.
New England Patriots 2026 Schedule
The Patriots’ 2026 regular-season schedule includes 17 games, with nine home games and eight road games. Week 11 is New England’s bye week. The schedule currently has Week 17 and Week 18 listed as TBD for game times.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 9 | Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field | 8:20 p.m. ET |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | Jacksonville Jaguars | EverBank Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | Buffalo Bills | Highmark Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | Las Vegas Raiders | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 6 | Oct. 18 | New York Jets | Gillette Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | Chicago Bears | Soldier Field | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | Green Bay Packers | Gillette Stadium | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | Detroit Lions | Munich, Germany | 9:30 a.m. ET |
| 11 | — | BYE | — | — |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium | 8:20 p.m. ET |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | Buffalo Bills | Gillette Stadium | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| 14 | Dec. 10 | Minnesota Vikings | Gillette Stadium | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| 15 | Dec. 21 | Kansas City Chiefs | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | 8:15 p.m. ET |
| 16 | Dec. 27 | New York Jets | MetLife Stadium | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| 17 | TBD | Denver Broncos | Gillette Stadium | TBD |
| 18 | TBD | Miami Dolphins | Gillette Stadium | TBD |
Schedule and game times are subject to change. Check the official Patriots schedule before purchasing tickets or making travel plans.
Patriots 2026 Home Games
Gillette Stadium will host several of New England’s most attractive 2026 matchups. The home schedule includes:
- Pittsburgh Steelers — September 20
- Las Vegas Raiders — October 11
- New York Jets — October 18
- Green Bay Packers — November 8
- Buffalo Bills — December 6
- Minnesota Vikings — December 10
- Denver Broncos — Week 17, date TBD
- Miami Dolphins — Week 18, date TBD
The Patriots’ official ticket page currently lists individual-game ticket options for these home contests.
Biggest New England Patriots Games in 2026
Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
New England begins the regular season with one of the NFL’s most intriguing matchups: a Super Bowl rematch against Seattle. The Patriots travel to Lumen Field for the Wednesday night season opener on September 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots face Buffalo twice in 2026, first at Highmark Stadium on October 4 and then at Gillette Stadium on December 6. The AFC East rivalry could have major implications late in the season.
Patriots vs. New York Jets
New England has two games against the Jets, including a home matchup October 18 and a road game at MetLife Stadium on December 27.
Patriots vs. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay visits Foxborough on November 8 for a late-afternoon matchup. It is one of the most appealing NFC opponents on New England’s home schedule.
Patriots vs. Detroit Lions
Week 10 sends the Patriots to Munich, Germany, for an international matchup against Detroit on November 15. The game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET.
Patriots vs. Kansas City Chiefs
New England travels to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21 for a Monday night matchup with Kansas City.
New England Patriots 2026 Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets for individual Patriots games through available ticket marketplaces and the team’s official ticket resources. The Patriots’ official ticket page lists the 2026 home schedule and individual-game ticket options.
When comparing Patriots 2026 tickets, consider:
- Opponent: Division rivals and marquee teams can command higher prices.
- Location: Lower-level and midfield seats generally offer stronger views.
- Date and time: Primetime and nationally televised games may be more expensive.
- Demand: Prices can change as game dates approach.
- Week 17 and Week 18: These games currently have dates/times listed as TBD and should be checked for updates.
- Fees: Compare the final checkout price rather than only the advertised ticket price.
The Patriots currently list season tickets as sold out while providing individual-game ticket options.
How to Find Cheap Patriots Tickets
Fans looking for affordable New England Patriots tickets in 2026 can compare multiple games rather than focusing exclusively on the biggest matchups. Lower-demand opponents, less desirable seating sections and games with flexible dates can sometimes provide better value.
For Gillette Stadium games, compare seating sections before purchasing. Upper-level seats can provide an economical way to experience a Patriots game while keeping the overall cost lower.
For high-demand games such as Buffalo, Green Bay or other marquee matchups, shopping early can provide more seating choices, while waiting can sometimes produce price changes closer to kickoff. Ticket prices are dynamic, so there is no guarantee that waiting will result in a lower price.
Patriots 2026 Primetime Games
The 2026 Patriots schedule includes several nationally televised contests. Among the highlighted games are:
- Sept. 9: Patriots at Seahawks — NBC
- Oct. 22: Patriots at Bears — Prime Video
- Nov. 29: Patriots at Chargers — NBC
- Dec. 10: Vikings at Patriots — Prime Video
- Dec. 21: Patriots at Chiefs — ESPN
- Nov. 15: Patriots vs. Lions in Munich — FOX
The Patriots’ official schedule identifies six nationally televised regular-season games.
Patriots 2026 Bye Week
New England’s bye week falls in Week 11, immediately following the international game against Detroit in Munich. The break gives the Patriots a midseason opportunity to recover before beginning the final portion of the schedule.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters
The Patriots face a demanding schedule with significant travel, including trips to Seattle, Jacksonville, Buffalo, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Kansas City and New York, plus the international game in Munich. The team’s official schedule analysis highlighted the difficult road slate and the return to Germany.
The late-season stretch is particularly interesting. After the bye, New England plays the Chargers, Bills, Vikings, Chiefs, Jets, Broncos and Dolphins. Several of those games could have implications for the AFC playoff race.
New England Patriots 2026 Schedule FAQ
When does the New England Patriots 2026 season start?
The Patriots open the 2026 regular season on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.
How many games do the Patriots play in 2026?
New England has 17 regular-season games on its 2026 schedule, plus a Week 11 bye.
How many Patriots home games are there in 2026?
The Patriots have nine regular-season home games listed on the schedule, including their Week 17 and Week 18 contests against Denver and Miami.
Where do the Patriots play their home games?
The Patriots play their home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Who do the Patriots play in Week 1?
New England travels to Seattle to face the Seahawks on September 9.
When do the Patriots play the Bills in 2026?
The Patriots play Buffalo twice: October 4 at Highmark Stadium and December 6 at Gillette Stadium.
When do the Patriots play the Jets?
New England hosts the Jets on October 18 and travels to MetLife Stadium for the second matchup on December 27.
Do the Patriots play an international game in 2026?
Yes. New England faces the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, on November 15, 2026.
When is the Patriots’ 2026 bye week?
The Patriots’ bye comes in Week 11, following the Munich game against Detroit.
Where can I buy New England Patriots 2026 tickets?
Fans can check the Patriots’ official ticket resources for individual-game ticket availability.
How much are Patriots tickets in 2026?
Ticket prices vary by opponent, seat location, date, demand and marketplace fees. The best approach is to compare the total price for several sections and games before purchasing.
What are the best Patriots games to attend in 2026?
Some of the most appealing games include the Steelers, Jets, Packers, Bills, Vikings and Broncos at Gillette Stadium, along with the season opener against Seattle and the Chiefs road game.
Are Patriots 2026 game times subject to change?
Yes. The official schedule notes that game information can change, and the Patriots currently list Week 17 and Week 18 as TBD.
Final Thoughts
The New England Patriots 2026 schedule gives fans an exciting combination of AFC East rivalry games, major NFC opponents, primetime football and an international matchup. From the opening-night Super Bowl rematch in Seattle to the December AFC East games against Buffalo, Miami and New York, there are plenty of reasons to follow the Patriots throughout the season.
For fans planning to attend, comparing Patriots 2026 tickets by opponent, date, seating section and total cost can help identify the best value. Because schedules and ticket availability can change, always verify the latest game information before making travel or ticket-purchase decisions.
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