If you’re looking for a kickoff time for the Horseshoe right now, here is the short, cold truth: the Indianapolis Colts are done for the season. Their 2025-2026 campaign officially ended on January 4, 2026, with a tough 38-30 loss to the Houston Texans.
It’s a bit of a heartbreak. After starting the season with a blistering 7-1 record, the team stumbled in the second half, finishing at 8-9 and missing the postseason entirely. Because of that, while other AFC teams are currently battling it out in the Divisional Round this weekend, the Colts are already in offseason mode.
So, if you were asking what time do the Indianapolis Colts play today, the answer is they don't. But while the pads are off, the clock is actually ticking on some of the biggest decisions the franchise has faced in a decade.
Understanding the 2026 Colts Schedule
Even though we don’t have the exact kickoff times yet—the NFL usually drops the full, minute-by-minute schedule in May—we already know exactly who the Colts are playing in 2026. Because the NFL uses a rotating formula based on division standings and conference cycles, the "who" and "where" are set in stone.
The Colts finished third in the AFC South. That means their 2026 strength of schedule is technically "easier" than the Texans or Jaguars, but "easy" is a dangerous word in the NFL.
2026 Home Opponents at Lucas Oil Stadium
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Miami Dolphins
2026 Road Trips
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Minnesota Vikings
That road trip to Arrowhead to face Patrick Mahomes? That’s going to be a massive circled date on the calendar. We’ll likely see that landing in a primetime slot, maybe a Sunday Night Football game at 8:20 p.m. ET, given the history between these two franchises.
Why Kickoff Times Are Always TBD Until May
The NFL is a television product first. When people search for what time do the Indianapolis Colts play, they are often looking for that specific 1:00 p.m. or 4:05 p.m. window.
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The league waits until late spring to announce these times because they want to maximize ratings. They look at which matchups have the most "juice." For 2026, the Colts hosting the Dallas Cowboys is a prime candidate for a late-afternoon 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX or a Monday Night Football appearance.
Honestly, the schedule-makers are probably looking at Anthony Richardson’s health and development as the primary factor for how many night games Indy gets. If he’s touted as a breakout star in the preseason, expect more late kickoffs. If there are doubts, expect a lot of 1:00 p.m. "regional" windows on CBS.
What Happened to the 2025 Season?
It is still wild to think about how this year went. Seven wins and one loss. Fans were planning Super Bowl parties. Then, the wheels just fell off.
The defense, which looked like a brick wall in September, started giving up explosive plays in December. The loss to the Texans in the finale was a microcosm of the whole year: flashes of brilliance followed by soul-crushing mistakes. Riley Leonard showed some real grit, but the fumble return for a touchdown by Houston's Tommy Togiai at the end of the game was the final nail in the coffin.
The Stat That Hurts
The Colts became the first team since the 2012 Chicago Bears to start 7-1 and still miss the playoffs. That’s a stat no fan wants to be associated with. It shows that while the talent is there, the consistency isn't.
Managing Your Expectations for Next Season
When the schedule finally drops this spring, you'll see a lot of "TBD" for the late-season games. The NFL uses "flexible scheduling" now more than ever.
Basically, this means a game originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in December can be moved to the Sunday night slot with just a few weeks' notice. If you're planning to travel to Philly or Pittsburgh for an away game, always book a hotel for two nights. You don't want to be caught rushing to the airport if a 1:00 p.m. game gets flexed to 8:20 p.m.
Key Dates to Watch
- NFL Draft (April 2026): This is where the 2026 season actually starts.
- Schedule Release (May 2026): This is when we find out the official answer to what time do the Indianapolis Colts play for all 17 games.
- Training Camp (July 2026): The return to Grand Park in Westfield.
Actionable Next Steps for Colts Fans
Since there’s no game today, the best way to stay prepared for the 2026 season is to focus on the offseason milestones. Keep an eye on the legal tampering period in March; that’s when Indy will need to address the secondary if they want to avoid another late-season collapse.
If you are planning to attend a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2026, wait until the schedule release in May before booking flights. However, you can start looking at ticket packages now through the official Colts website, as season ticket renewals and "Blue" level memberships often get priority for the best seats against high-draw teams like the Cowboys and Ravens.
For now, keep the jersey in the closet and maybe watch the Divisional Round as a neutral observer. The road back to September starts now.