The question of when do the cowboys play next isn’t quite as simple as checking a Sunday night TV listing right now. We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket of the year where the pads are packed away and the front office is doing the heavy lifting. If you’re a Dallas fan, the 2025 season likely left a bit of a sting after that 34-17 loss to the Giants on January 4, 2026.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. You want to see the Star back on the field, but we are officially in "wait-and-see" mode.
The Long Wait for the 2026 Season
Right now, the Dallas Cowboys are not scheduled for any more games in the 2025-2026 cycle because they did not qualify for the current NFL playoffs. While the Divisional Round is heating up with teams like the Bills and Broncos facing off today, January 17, 2026, the Cowboys are already looking toward the draft.
Basically, the next time you will see the Dallas Cowboys play a meaningful game will be in September 2026.
I know, that feels like a lifetime away. But the NFL calendar is a machine that never truly stops. We won’t have the exact dates and times for several months. The NFL typically releases the full official schedule in mid-May. That’s when we’ll know if they open at home in Arlington or if they’re starting the year on the road.
Who is on the 2026 Schedule?
Even though we don’t have the "when," we definitely have the "who." Because of the NFL’s rotating scheduling formula, the 2026 opponents are already locked in. The Cowboys finished second in the NFC East with a 7-9-1 record, and that dictated their specific non-divisional matchups.
Next year, the NFC East is matched up against the AFC South and the NFC West.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium
Expect some heavy hitters to visit Jerry World. You’ve got the usual divisional rivals, but the out-of-conference slate is particularly spicy.
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- Philadelphia Eagles (Always a bloodbath)
- New York Giants (Redemption game, anyone?)
- Washington Commanders
- San Francisco 49ers (A rivalry that refuses to die)
- Baltimore Ravens (The interconference "place-finisher" game)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One thing to keep an eye on: 2026 is an "even" year, which means the NFC gets the extra 17th game at home. However, there is always the possibility that one of these home games gets moved to an international site like London or Munich.
Away Games on the Road
The road schedule looks arguably tougher. Traveling to the Pacific Northwest is never easy, and a trip to Lambeau is a nightmare in any weather.
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
- Green Bay Packers (The "Schottenheimer vs. the Frozen Tundra" narrative will be everywhere)
- Houston Texans (The Battle for Texas)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
Key Dates Before Kickoff
Since you can't watch them play today, you have to track the "offseason wins." The team is currently led by Brian Schottenheimer, and the roster is likely going to look very different by the time training camp rolls around in July.
- Late January 2026: All-star games like the Senior Bowl. This is where the scouting department earns their keep.
- February 23 – March 2, 2026: The NFL Scouting Combine in Indy.
- March 11, 2026: Free agency officially begins. This is when we see if Jerry Jones is actually going "all in" or just talking about it.
- April 23-25, 2026: The NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
- Mid-May 2026: The official schedule release. This is the moment we finally get the answer to when do the cowboys play next with specific dates and kickoff times.
- August 2026: Preseason begins. Usually, three games, mostly featuring guys you've never heard of fighting for the 53rd spot on the roster.
Why the 2026 Season Matters So Much
The Cowboys are in a precarious spot. Finishing 7-9-1 is the "no man's land" of the NFL. You aren't bad enough for a top-three pick, but you aren't good enough to sniff the Lombardi Trophy.
A lot of the conversation this summer will be about Dak Prescott. His connection with CeeDee Lamb remains the focal point, but the emergence of young guys like Ryan Flournoy and the rushing of Jaydon Blue in the finale against the Giants gave a glimpse of what the future might hold.
The defense is the bigger question mark. After the 2025 season's inconsistencies, the "next" time they play needs to show a much more disciplined unit. Whether they stick with current schemes or overhaul the coaching staff (again), the pressure in Dallas is a different kind of beast.
Actionable Steps for Cowboys Fans
Don't just sit around waiting for September. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is how you handle the "dark months" of the offseason:
- Mark the Schedule Release: Set a calendar alert for mid-May. That is the only time you can actually book flights or buy tickets for the 2026 season.
- Watch the Draft: The Cowboys pick in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on offensive line prospects; that’s where the 2025 season truly fell apart.
- Monitor the Cap: Dallas has some massive contract decisions looming. Following a site like OverTheCap will tell you more about the team's future than any highlight reel will right now.
The wait for the next Cowboys game is long, but for the fans in North Texas, the hope of "next year" is a tradition as old as the star on the helmet itself.