So, the 2025 season is in the books, and if you’re a Lions fan, you’re probably feeling a mix of "what if" and "here we go again." After a bit of a rollercoaster year that saw the team finish 9-8 and narrowly miss the playoffs following a tough loss to Minnesota in Week 17, everyone is already asking: when does Detroit Lions play next?
The short answer? Not for a while. The 2025 regular season wrapped up on January 4, 2026, with a satisfying 19-16 win over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Since Detroit didn't make the postseason cut this time around, the pads are off until the summer of 2026.
Honestly, the "Honolulu Blue" faithful are used to the grind of the offseason, but this one feels different. The 2026 schedule is already taking shape, even if we don't have the exact kickoff times yet. We know who they’re playing. We know where they’re going. Now, we just wait for the NFL to drop the official calendar in May.
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The 2026 Opponents: Who’s Coming to Ford Field?
NFL scheduling isn't some random lottery; it’s a formula based on division rotations and where teams finished in the standings. Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, they’ve got a "fourth-place schedule" for 2026. That sounds like a gift, but in the NFL, "easy" is a relative term.
Detroit will have nine home games at Ford Field this year. Aside from the usual bloodbaths against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings, some heavy hitters are coming to town. The New England Patriots and the New York Jets are on the home slate. You’ve also got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints making the trip to Detroit.
One matchup that already has people talking is the Tennessee Titans game. It’s one of those cross-conference games that usually doesn't happen often, but thanks to the 17-game schedule, here we are. The New York Giants will also be a home opponent, which should be a winnable game if the Lions' secondary holds up better than it did last December.
The Road Warriors: Away Games in 2026
Traveling is never fun in the NFL, especially when you have to head to the West Coast or face a rowdy crowd in the South. The Lions have eight road games scheduled for 2026. They’ll be heading to Atlanta to play the Falcons and making a trip down to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers.
Then there are the tough ones. Buffalo. Miami. Arizona.
Playing in Buffalo is always a coin flip depending on the weather, while the Miami trip will likely be a heat-and-humidity test. The Cardinals game is the result of that fourth-place finish pairing, and while Arizona hasn't been a powerhouse lately, Kyler Murray is always a headache to contain. And, of course, the Lions have to visit their three NFC North rivals in their own buildings. Lambeau Field in late season? Never easy.
Key Dates You Need to Circle
If you're trying to figure out when does Detroit Lions play so you can plan your life, you need to watch the NFL calendar like a hawk. The league follows a very specific rhythm.
- NFL Draft (April 23-25, 2026): This is the next "big" thing. It’s happening in Pittsburgh this year. Detroit holds the No. 17 overall pick. This is where the 2026 season actually starts, as Brad Holmes looks to plug the holes that kept them out of the playoffs in '25.
- Schedule Release (Mid-May 2026): This is the day. This is when we find out if the Lions are playing on Monday Night Football or if they’re stuck in the 1:00 PM Sunday slot all year. We’ll also find out the official date for the Thanksgiving Day game—though we know they’re playing, we just don't know against whom yet.
- Training Camp (Late July 2026): The boys return to Allen Park. This is when the hype starts to get out of hand again.
- Preseason Kickoff (August 2026): Expect three preseason games. They usually happen on Friday or Saturday nights. It’s mostly for the undrafted guys, but it’s the first time we see the starters in live action.
- Regular Season Start (September 10, 2026): The NFL usually kicks off the Thursday after Labor Day. Detroit will play their first game either that Sunday (Sept 13) or perhaps a primetime slot.
Why 2025 Was Such a Tease
Looking back helps us understand the urgency for 2026. The 2025 season was kind of a heartbreaker. Detroit finished 9-8. They were in the hunt until the very end. But look at the losses: five of their eight losses were by a single possession. We’re talking about a combined 29 points.
If a couple of bounces go their way against the Steelers in Week 16 or the Vikings on Christmas Day, the Lions are in the playoffs. Instead, they’re watching the postseason from the couch. Dan Campbell’s "grit" was there, but the execution in the red zone just fell apart during that three-game skid in December.
Predicting the Prime Time Games
The NFL loves the Lions right now. Even with a 9-8 record, they are a TV ratings draw. When we look at when does Detroit Lions play in 2026, I’d bet my mortgage they get at least three primetime slots.
The Thanksgiving game is a lock—that’s Detroit’s tradition. But don’t be surprised if the game against the New York Jets or the Buffalo Bills gets flexed to a Sunday Night or Monday Night slot. The Aaron Rodgers-led Jets (assuming he’s still playing) against the Lions' pass rush is a narrative the networks can't resist.
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Also, the Lions are due for an International game soon. While nothing is confirmed for Detroit in 2026 yet, the NFL is expanding to Madrid and keeping the London/Germany rotation going. If the Lions get sent overseas, that "when" becomes an early morning kickoff for us back in Michigan.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
A lot of fans think that because the Lions finished fourth, they play a "weak" schedule. That’s a myth. Every team in the NFC North plays 14 of the same 17 opponents. The only difference is three games.
For 2026, those three "standings-based" games for Detroit are the Giants, Cardinals, and Titans. Are those easier than playing the Eagles or the 49ers? Sure. But in a league with this much parity, a "fourth-place" team in one year can easily be a division winner the next. Just look at the Lions' own history.
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Actionable Steps for Lions Fans
While there are no games today, you can't just sit around. Here is what you should actually be doing to prepare for the 2026 kickoff:
- Check your passport: If the Lions get tapped for a London or Madrid game, you'll want to be ready. The NFL usually announces international matchups a bit earlier than the full schedule.
- Monitor the No. 17 Pick: Follow the scouting combine in February. The Lions desperately need more depth at cornerback and perhaps another edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson. Whoever they pick in April will be a Day 1 starter.
- The Free Agency Window: Keep an eye on March 11, 2026. That’s when the league year officially starts. The Lions have some cap space, and how they spend it will tell us exactly how aggressive they plan to be in the 2026 season.
- Renew Season Tickets Early: Ford Field has been sold out for two years straight. If you aren't already on the list, you're likely not getting in unless you hit the secondary market.
The wait for the next Detroit Lions game is long, but the blueprint is there. We know the opponents, we know the draft slot, and we know the hunger is still there. Now we just have to wait for the snow to melt and the schedule makers to do their thing.