The Detroit Lions’ 2026 schedule features nine home games and eight away games:Â
Lions Home Opponents
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants
Lions Away Opponents
- Chicago Bears
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
As customary, six of the Lions’ 17 games will come against NFC North teams, one apiece at home and on the road.
The NFC North’s intraconference rotation features the NFC South. The Bears will play the Saints and Buccaneers at home, and Falcons and Panthers on the road.
The NFC North’s interconference rotation features the AFC East. The Bears will play the Patriots and Jets at home, and the Bills and Dolphins on the road.
The remaining games were determined by their divisional finish (fourth) last year. They’ll play other teams that finished fourth: Giants (NFC East), Cardinals (NFC West), and Titans (AFC South). Because it’s the NFC’s turn for nine home games — each NFC team has nine home games in even-numbered seasons — the Lions game against the Titans is at home.
When Is the Lions Schedule Released?
The Lions regular-season schedule will be released in May. While the NFL hasn’t announced a date for the full schedule release, recent years suggest it’ll be on a Wednesday or Thursday in the second or third week of the month.
Here are past dates of the NFL schedule release:
- 2025: Wednesday, May 14
- 2024: Wednesday, May 15
- 2023: Thursday, May 11
- 2022: Thursday, May 12
- 2021: Wednesday, May 12
- 2020: Thursday, May 7
Lions Week 1 Opponent
The Lions’ Week 1 opponent hasn’t been determined yet. They opened the 2025 season with a road game against the Green Bay Packers.
Will the Lions Play an International Game in 2026?
The Lions will play an international game in Munich, Germany this season. The Lions have played two international games, most recently losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in London in 2015.Â
The NFL has a record nine international games scheduled, including three games in London:
- Melbourne, Australia
- Munich, Germany
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Paris, France
- London, United Kingdom (three games)
- Madrid, Spain
- Mexico City, Mexico
You can bet on Lions odds for each game at the online sportsbook. If you’re in Michigan, check out updated Michigan sports betting promos for offers for both new and existing BetMGM customers.
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