So, you're looking for kickoff. Honestly, figuring out what time does the Vikings game start used to be simple—noon on Sundays, purple jerseys, and a cold beer. But the NFL's 2025-2026 season just wrapped up its regular schedule, and the "flex" era has made checking your watch a full-time job.
If you are looking for a game right this second, here is the deal: The Minnesota Vikings officially ended their 2025 regular season on January 4, 2026, with a decisive 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers. Because they finished 9-8 and missed out on a Wild Card spot (landing 3rd in the NFC North), there is no game scheduled for this upcoming weekend.
The stadium lights at U.S. Bank Stadium are dimmed for now. But "start time" means different things depending on whether you're looking for the next time J.J. McCarthy takes a snap or if you're planning your 2026 travel calendar.
What Time Does the Vikings Game Start? Timing the 2026 Return
For the fans already mourning the end of the season, the next time you'll actually see a kickoff will be in August 2026 for the preseason. Usually, those games start around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM CT on Friday or Saturday nights.
NFL fans are planners. You’ve probably already seen the 2026 opponent list floating around. The NFL released the home and away matchups on January 5, 2026, just 24 hours after the season finale. We know who they play, even if we don't have the "what time" part down to the minute yet.
The 2026 Home Slate (Minneapolis Kickoffs)
When the schedule is officially released in May, most of these will default to the 12:00 PM CT slot, though the NFL loves to flex the Vikings into primetime if Justin Jefferson is on a record-breaking tear.
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers: The usual divisional suspects.
- Atlanta Falcons & Carolina Panthers: Expect these to be early afternoon starts.
- Buffalo Bills & Miami Dolphins: High-interest AFC East matchups that could easily slide into a 3:25 PM window.
- Washington Commanders & Indianapolis Colts: Likely candidates for the standard noon kickoff.
Why Kickoff Times Keep Shifting
You’ve probably noticed that "12:00 PM" isn't a guarantee anymore. The NFL’s flex scheduling policy is the biggest reason why people are constantly Googling what time does the Vikings game start.
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In the 2025 season, we saw the Vikings play in London, Dublin, and even on Christmas Day (a Thursday 3:30 PM CT kickoff on Netflix against the Lions). The league can now move Sunday afternoon games to Sunday Night Football with just 12 days' notice. For Monday Night Football, they only need 12 days' notice between Weeks 12-17.
Basically, if the Vikings are winning, the game is probably going to start later. If they're struggling, keep your Sunday afternoons free at noon.
Key Factors in Start Times:
- Broadcasters: CBS and FOX usually split the Sunday afternoon games. If it’s a high-profile matchup like the 49ers game coming up on the 2026 road schedule, expect a 3:25 PM CT "Game of the Week" slot.
- Location: When the Vikings travel to the West Coast—like their upcoming 2026 trip to play the San Francisco 49ers—the game will almost never start before 3:05 PM or 3:25 PM CT.
- International Games: Rumors are already swirling about the 2026 International Series. If the Vikings head back to London or Munich, you're looking at a 8:30 AM CT breakfast kickoff.
Watching the Vikings in 2026: Channels and Streams
Finding the time is only half the battle; then you have to find the right app. Gone are the days of just turning on Channel 4 in the Twin Cities and calling it a day.
For the 2025 season, we saw games on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime, and even Netflix. Looking ahead to 2026, the primary broadcast partners remain the same. Local fans in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market will still see most games on KFAN 100.3-FM for radio and local affiliates for TV, but out-of-market fans are increasingly reliant on NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV.
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If you're streaming, Paramount+ carries the CBS games, and Peacock handles the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcasts. It's a mess, frankly. You basically need a spreadsheet to keep track of where to point your remote.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Since the Vikings aren't playing this weekend, here is how you stay ahead of the curve so you never miss a kickoff again:
- Sync Your Calendar: In May 2026, the official NFL schedule will drop. Most team apps offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature that automatically updates kickoff times, including flex changes. Use it.
- Monitor the Draft: The Vikings hold the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25). Who they pick will determine how many primetime (night) games they get. High-profile rookies equal more night games.
- Check the 12-Day Window: Starting in October, always check the schedule on Tuesday mornings. That is when the NFL typically announces flexed time changes for the following week's games.
- Set Alerts for "TBD": Late-season games (Weeks 15-18) are often listed as "TBD" for months. Don't book flights or parties for these games until the NFL confirms the slot, usually about two to three weeks out.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster with J.J. McCarthy’s development and a late-season surge that almost stole a playoff spot. While the answer to what time does the Vikings game start is currently "not for a while," the cycle starts over faster than you think. Keep an eye on the May schedule release to start circling those Sunday afternoons—or nights—on your 2026 calendar.