The 2026 NFL playoff schedule begins with Wild Card Weekend on January 16, 2027, and runs through Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027. The full NFL playoff schedule includes six Wild Card games, four Divisional Round contests, the AFC and NFC Championship Games, and the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. As the regular season progresses, the NFL playoff picture will continue to take shape and determine the final NFL playoff bracket.
Here is every date, time, network, and venue for the upcoming NFL playoffs.
2026 NFL Playoff Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | ||||
| Saturday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 4:30pm ETPrime, CBS, FOX or NBC | ||
| Wild Card | ||||
| Saturday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 8:00pm ETPrime, CBS, FOX or NBC | ||
| Wild Card | ||||
| Sunday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 1:00pm ETPrime, CBS or FOX | ||
| Wild Card | ||||
| Sunday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 4:30pm ETPrime, CBS or FOX | ||
| Wild Card | ||||
| Sunday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 8:15pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Wild Card | ||||
| Monday | AFC/NFC Wild-Card Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 8:15pm ETESPN/ABC | ||
| Divisional Round | ||||
| Saturday | AFC/NFC Divisional Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 4:30pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Divisional Round | ||||
| Saturday | AFC/NFC Divisional Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 8:15pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Divisional Round | ||||
| Sunday | AFC/NFC Divisional Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 3:00pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Divisional Round | ||||
| Sunday | AFC/NFC Divisional Round TBA at TBASite/City TBD | 6:30pm ETTV TBA | ||
| Conference Championship | ||||
| Sunday | NFC Championship Game NFC at NFCSite/City TBD | 3:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Conference Championship | ||||
| Sunday | AFC Championship Game AFC at AFCSite/City TBD | 6:30pm ETCBS/Paramount+ | ||
| Super Bowl LXI | ||||
| Sunday | Super Bowl LXI AFC Champ vs. NFC ChampSoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 6:30pm ETESPN/ABC | ||
How the NFL Playoffs Unfold
The 2026 NFL playoff schedule follows the standard 14-team format. The top seed in each conference earns a first-round bye. Six Wild Card games take place across three days from January 16-18. The four winners advance to join the top seeds in the Divisional Round on January 23-24.
Conference Championship Sunday is set for January 31, with the NFC title game in the afternoon window on FOX and the AFC title game in the evening on CBS/Paramount+. The winners meet two weeks later in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. The final NFL playoff bracket will be locked once the regular season ends and the NFL playoff picture is complete.
Current NFL Playoff Picture & Bracket Path
As the season moves forward, the NFL playoff picture will determine which teams secure the top seeds and first-round byes. The NFL playoff bracket is single-elimination after the Wild Card round, with higher seeds hosting until the Super Bowl. Fans tracking the NFL playoffs should monitor division races and wild-card standings closely, as every win or loss can shift the NFL playoff picture and change the eventual NFL playoff bracket.
Games That Stand Out
A few dates already stand out on the 2026 NFL playoff schedule. Wild Card Weekend features six games across multiple networks and streaming platforms. The Divisional Round packs four high-stakes contests into two days. Conference Championship Sunday delivers both title games on the same afternoon and evening. Super Bowl LXI on February 14 marks the first Super Bowl ever played on Valentine’s Day and the first to air on ESPN/ABC. These windows will define the NFL playoffs once the NFL playoff bracket is set.
How to Watch the NFL Playoffs
Wild Card games on the NFL playoff schedule will air across Prime Video, CBS, FOX, NBC/Peacock, and ESPN/ABC. Divisional Round networks are still to be announced. The NFC Championship is scheduled for FOX, the AFC Championship for CBS/Paramount+, and Super Bowl LXI for ESPN/ABC. Check local listings closer to each round for any flexible updates once the final NFL playoff bracket is confirmed.
What This NFL Playoff Schedule Means
The 2026 NFL playoff schedule offers a clear path from Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl LXI. The mid-to-late January windows give teams time to recover between rounds, while the two-week gap before the Super Bowl allows for full preparation and media buildup. With the big game returning to SoFi Stadium, the NFL playoffs conclude in Los Angeles for the ninth time in league history. Keep following the NFL playoff picture as it develops to see how the NFL playoff bracket takes shape.
FAQ
When does the 2026 NFL playoff schedule start?
Wild Card Weekend begins Saturday, January 16, 2027, marking the official start of the NFL playoffs.
When is Super Bowl LXI?
Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
Fourteen teams — seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC. The top seed in each conference receives a first-round bye in the NFL playoff bracket.
When are the Conference Championship games?
Both the NFC and AFC Championship Games are scheduled for Sunday, January 31, 2027, as part of the 2026 NFL playoff schedule.
