As we inch towards the start of training camp, and therefore the 2026 NFL season, one of the most fun days of the offseason is right around the corner. On Thursday, the official schedule will be released. Even though we know who the Detroit Lions will face this season, the order and timing of the games, as always, will be a big factor. Let's take a look at everything we know about the Lions' schedule so far.
2026 NFL schedule release
When: 8 pm EST, Thursday, May 14, 2026
Where to Watch: NFL Network, ESPN2, Fubo
Lions' international game
The Detroit Lions will have nine home games and eight road games on the schedule this season. One of their home games, however, will be played in Germany as part of the NFL's International Series. The Week 10 clash against the New England Patriots will take place in Allianz Arena in Munich on November 15.
This will be the Lions' third game ever that they have played abroad and their first since 2015. In their last international game, the Lions had lost to the Chiefs, 45-10, in London.
What else do we know about the schedule?
The other game on the schedule that has been confirmed is Detroit's Week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. To celebrate the opening of the Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, the Bills will take on the Lions on Thursday Night Football on September 17. While it's never great to face the Bills on the road on a short week, it may be better to face them early in the fall rather than in the middle of winter.
As always, the Lions will host a Thanksgiving Day game. Whether it will be against a division rival as it has been in each of the last three years remains to be seen. Since the league doesn't want to have the Lions play on Thanksgiving on extra rest while their opponents visit on a short week, Detroit will likely have a difficult three-game-in-12-day schedule, including the Patriots clash in Germany.
And of course, we know the opponents the Lions will face. What we will find out on Thursday is when the Lions will play them and when their bye week will be.
Lions' 2026 home opponents
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets
New York Giants
Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers
New England Patriots* (to be played in Munich, Germany)
Lions' 2026 away opponents
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins
Chicago Bears
Minnesota Vikings
Green Bay Packers
This is not the most challenging of schedules. The Lions should do particularly well at home, giving them an excellent chance at a bounce-back campaign.
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