So, you’re looking for the Arizona Cardinals next game? Honestly, if you check your calendar and see it’s January 2026, I have some news that’s gonna sting a little. The Cardinals aren't playing this weekend. Or next weekend. While the rest of the NFC West is currently duking it out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the lights are off at State Farm Stadium.
Basically, the season is over. Kaput.
Arizona wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026, with a 37-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. It was a tough watch. They finished the year with a dismal 3-14 record, ending on a nine-game losing streak that eventually cost head coach Jonathan Gannon his job. If you're a die-hard fan, you already know the vibe: it's "wait until next year" time. But "next year" is actually closer than it feels, and the schedule for the 2026 season is already starting to take shape.
Arizona Cardinals Next Game: The Long Wait for the 2026 Kickoff
The actual Arizona Cardinals next game won't take place until the preseason in August 2026. Yeah, that’s a long way off. Usually, the NFL releases the official schedule with dates and times in mid-May. Even though we don't have the exact calendar yet, we already know exactly who they are playing because of the NFL’s scheduling formula.
Since the Cardinals finished at the bottom of the NFC West, they’ll be playing a "last-place schedule." That sounds depressing, but it’s actually a silver lining. It means they get paired against other teams that struggled in 2025, which should make for an easier path to a turnaround.
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Here is the breakdown of the opponents they'll face in 2026:
Home Games at State Farm Stadium:
- The Division Rivals: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
- The Big Names: Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and the New York Jets.
- The AFC West Visitors: Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.
- The Extra Game: Washington Commanders (and Jayden Daniels coming back to the desert).
Road Trips on the Schedule:
- Division Rematches: At Rams, at 49ers, at Seahawks.
- High-Stakes Visits: At Dallas Cowboys and at Kansas City Chiefs.
- East Coast Swings: At New York Giants and at New Orleans Saints.
- The SoFi Double-Dip: At Los Angeles Chargers.
That trip to Kansas City is already looking like the "circle the calendar" game. Playing Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead is never fun, but for a young Cardinals team looking to prove they aren't the doormat of the league anymore, it's the ultimate litmus test.
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Why the 2025 Season Fell Apart
You can't really talk about the next game without acknowledging the absolute train wreck that was the end of 2025. This team didn't just lose; they regressed. Nine straight losses to end the year is the kind of stat that keeps owners up at night. Michael Bidwill didn't wait long to pull the trigger on Gannon.
Injuries were a massive part of the story. By the time they played the Rams in Week 18, the Cardinals had 24 players on Injured Reserve. That is an insane number. Star rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. missed the finale with a foot injury. Safety Budda Baker was battling through a concussion and a thumb issue. When you're playing with a roster that is basically 40% practice squad guys, you’re going to have a bad time.
But it wasn't just injuries. The offense felt stagnant. Jacoby Brissett ended up starting the finale because the team is widely expected to move on from Kyler Murray this offseason. Seeing Michael Wilson hit the 1,000-yard mark against the Rams was a rare bright spot, but it was overshadowed by a defense that gave up 37 points and couldn't stop Matthew Stafford when it mattered.
What to Watch During the Offseason
Since the "Arizona Cardinals next game" is months away, the real "games" are happening in the front office. Monti Ossenfort, the General Manager, is under a microscope now. He has to hire a new coach, and the rumor mill is spinning fast.
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Word on the street is that the team is looking at several candidates with NFC West experience. They want someone who knows how to beat the Niners and Rams because going 0-6 in the division—which is what they did in 2025—is an automatic ticket to a Top 5 draft pick. Speaking of the draft, the Cardinals are currently slated to pick No. 3 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That is huge.
Most analysts, like Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News, are split on what to do. Do they take a franchise quarterback like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore? Or do they grab a "game-changer" at another position? There’s a lot of talk about Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Some people think taking a running back at No. 3 is crazy, but after the way James Conner and Trey Benson struggled with health this year, the Cardinals need a home-run hitter in the backfield.
Actionable Steps for Cardinals Fans Right Now
If you're already missing Sunday football, here’s how you can stay locked in until that first preseason game in August:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: This is the biggest domino. The team is reportedly interviewing up to ten candidates. Watch for names like Ben Johnson or even some defensive coordinators who can fix a unit that allowed 488 points last season.
- The Quarterback Decision: Keep an eye on the "Futures" contracts and any trade news regarding Kyler Murray. If they trade him before the draft in April, you'll know they are going 100% into a rebuild with a rookie.
- Ticket Deposits: If you're planning on being at State Farm Stadium for the 2026 opener, the team has already opened up the "Season Ticket Priority List." It’s a $200 deposit. If the team hires a big-name coach, those seats are going to go fast.
- Draft Prep: Start watching tape on the top three prospects. The Cardinals have a history of picking legendary players at No. 3 (hello, Larry Fitzgerald), and they can't afford to miss this time.
The 2025 season was a bitter pill to swallow. Watching the rest of the division play January football while the Cardinals are cleaning out their lockers sucks. But with a new coach on the way and the No. 3 pick in the pocket, the "next game" might actually be the start of something better.