The highly anticipated 2026 schedule for the Dallas Cowboys is set to be officially unveiled on Thursday, May 14, marking a significant date on the NFL's offseason calendar. While the complete list of dates, times, and broadcast details will be released by the league at 7 p.m. CT, a series of leaks and early announcements have provided fans with a glimpse of the upcoming season's key matchups. The Cowboys' social media channels are also expected to reveal their schedule concurrently with the official NFL release.
Historic International Debut and Divisional Showdowns
Among the most notable confirmed games is the Cowboys' Week 1 opener on Sunday, September 13, where they will travel to MetLife Stadium to face their fierce divisional rivals, the New York Giants, in a primetime Sunday Night Football matchup. This marks a familiar start to the season, as the Cowboys and Giants have opened the year against each other numerous times in recent history.
Adding an international flavor to the 2026 season, the Cowboys are slated to play the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This Week 3 game will be held at the iconic Maracanã Stadium and will be broadcast on CBS, marking the NFL's first-ever game in South America. This historic international contest is part of the league's expanding global footprint, with a record nine overseas games scheduled for the upcoming season.
Adding to the slate of high-profile contests, the Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, for a Week 12 showdown at AT&T Stadium. This Thanksgiving tradition, broadcast on FOX, pits two dominant NFC East teams against each other, continuing a rivalry that has seen significant battles in recent years. This marks the first Thanksgiving meeting between the Cowboys and Eagles since 2014.
Known Opponents and Strength of Schedule
Beyond these confirmed marquee matchups, the Cowboys' full list of opponents for the 2026 season has been known since the conclusion of the 2025 regular season. Their home schedule includes games against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders. On the road, they will face the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders.
Analysis of the Cowboys' strength of schedule suggests a moderately challenging path. Approximately half of their 14 opponents made the postseason in 2025, including the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and several other playoff contenders. However, the schedule is not considered among the league's most difficult, ranking as the 13th easiest in the NFL.
Looking Ahead: Predicting Key Matchups and Narrative Arcs
With the full schedule release imminent, predictions and speculation are rife regarding other key games. While the Cowboys are a Thanksgiving staple, there's a prediction that they will not play on Christmas Day in 2026, given their recent holiday traditions. The positioning of road games against the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will be closely watched, as these matchups could hold significant implications for playoff seeding and provide crucial confidence boosts for the team.
The upcoming season also presents the challenge of navigating a demanding schedule, particularly after their international game in Brazil. The logistical considerations of returning from Brazil and preparing for subsequent home games will be a factor to monitor.
Fans will be looking to see how the Cowboys' schedule aligns with their potential to contend in the NFC East, a division that has been heavily influenced by the Eagles and Cowboys in recent years. The full schedule release will provide the definitive roadmap for the Cowboys' 2026 campaign, setting the stage for what promises to be another compelling season of NFL action.