NFL schedule release: League will reveal full slate Thursday, May 14

Rejoice, football fans, because one of the most exciting dates of the NFL offseason has finally been revealed. The NFL will reportedly release its full 2026 season schedule next Thursday, May 14, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The league has typically released the schedule in mid-May. Last year’s schedule release occurred May 14, and in 2024, the NFL schedule release came May 15.

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Though a number of game — mostly international games — have already been announced, NFL teams have yet to fully announce their 2026 schedules. Fans already know which opponents their favorite teams will play next season, and whether those games will occur at home or on the road, but they don’t know exactly when the games will occur. The 2026 NFL schedule release will answer those questions.

It will also provide teams with a chance to be creative and whimsical when making their announcement. A number of teams have developed a reputation for cooking up humorous and entertaining schedule-release videos each year, with the Los Angeles Chargers typically leading the way.

The Chargers were among the teams that won schedule release day last season. The team also received recognition for its efforts in 2024, 2023 and 2022. They’ve crushed it, basically.

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In addition to being creative, the Chargers normally win the day by being willing to reference some of the biggest scandals in the sport. In 2024, they made reference to questionable comments made by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a graduation ceremony. This year, it’s possible the Chargers take aim at New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and his relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The Chargers and Patriots do play in 2026.

The Chargers aren’t the only team that has impressed and delighted fans with their schedule release videos, but they’ll be among the must-watches in 2026. As for whether any other team can dethrone the Chargers, well, that will just have to wait until schedule release day.