The regular season is over. If you’re like most fans in Tampa, you’re probably still processing that weirdly tight 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on January 3rd. It wasn't pretty. But it got the job done to finish the season at 8-9. Now, the big question on everyone’s mind: when is the next bucs game?
Honestly, if you were hoping for a playoff run this January, the news is a bit of a bummer. Since the Buccaneers finished second in the NFC South and missed out on the Wild Card spots, the pads are off for a while. There are no more games on the 2025-2026 calendar. We are officially in the "wait until September" phase of the year.
When to Expect the 2026 Kickoff
The NFL typically releases the official schedule with exact dates and times in May. However, we already know who the Bucs are playing in 2026 based on the league's rotation formula. Basically, since the season just wrapped up, we can look at the designated home and away opponents for next fall.
Expect the first preseason game to happen sometime around the second week of August 2026. The real deal—the regular season opener—will likely land on Sunday, September 13, 2026, or potentially the Thursday night opener on September 10 if the league decides to get spicy with the scheduling.
Who the Bucs Face in 2026
Even without the calendar, the opponent list is set. It’s a mix of the usual divisional grudges and some heavy hitters from the AFC North and NFC North.
The Home Slate at Ray Jay:
- Atlanta Falcons: Because it wouldn't be a season without them.
- New Orleans Saints: Expect the usual amount of trash talk.
- Carolina Panthers: Hopefully, we score more than 16 points next time.
- Green Bay Packers: A classic matchup that always draws a crowd.
- Minnesota Vikings: Always a toss-up.
- Cleveland Browns: A rare visit from the AFC North.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Get ready for a sea of Terrible Towels in the stands.
- Dallas Cowboys: This is almost guaranteed to be a primetime game.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Looking forward to seeing how the defense handles their speed.
The Away Gauntlet:
- At Atlanta, New Orleans, and Carolina: The standard tour of the South.
- At Baltimore Ravens: One of the toughest road trips on the map.
- At Cincinnati Bengals: This one is going to be a massive test for the secondary.
- At Chicago Bears: Hopefully, it’s not a December game.
- At Detroit Lions: Ford Field has become a legitimate house of horrors lately.
Why the Wait is Longer This Year
The 8-9 finish left a lot of "what ifs" on the table. Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans had their moments—Evans specifically hitting yet another 1,000-yard season—but the consistency just wasn't there to push past the Panthers for the division crown. Because the Bucs are sitting out the 2026 playoffs, the front office is already looking at the draft.
If you are looking for when is the next bucs game because you want to see live football at Raymond James Stadium, keep an eye on February 1, 2026. While it’s not a Bucs game, the stadium is hosting the NHL Stadium Series featuring the Tampa Bay Lightning. It’s a weird sight seeing ice in a football stadium, but it's the only pro sports action you'll get on that turf for a few months.
📖 Related: Why the Alabama schedule for 2018 was more dangerous than it looked
Mapping Out the Offseason
Since we aren't playing this weekend, the "game" moves to the front office. Jason Licht has a busy spring ahead. Free agency starts in March, and that’s arguably more important for the team's future than a Wild Card game they weren't ready for anyway.
The NFL Draft in April is the next "big event" for the franchise. After that, we get the schedule release in May, and that is when you can finally circle a date on your calendar for the actual next bucs game.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the May Schedule Release: This is the only time you’ll get the confirmed kickoff times for the 2026 season.
- Renew Season Pass Deposits: If you’re planning on going to the Dallas or Green Bay games, demand is going to be sky-high. Get in line now.
- Watch the Draft: The Bucs will likely be looking for defensive line depth and maybe another weapon for the slot.
- Clear your September: Historically, the Bucs have a 55% win rate in home openers over the last decade. It’s usually the best atmosphere of the year.
The 2025 season had its ups and downs, but the foundation is still there. We’ll be back at Ray Jay before you know it, listening to the cannons fire.