You’re sitting there, wings getting cold, staring at a blank TV screen because you thought the game started at 1:00 PM. But wait. It’s a West Coast trip. Or maybe it’s one of those weird Monday night double-headers that the NFL loves to surprise us with lately. Determining what time Baltimore Ravens play should be simple, but between flexible scheduling and the chaos of the AFC North race, it’s rarely just a "set it and forget it" situation.
Honestly, the 2025-2026 season was a prime example of this. The Ravens finished their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a tough 26-24 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. If you were looking for them in the playoffs this week, you probably noticed a void. With an 8-9 record, the Ravens officially moved into "next year" mode. The 2026 season schedule won't even be fully official until May, but that doesn't mean we’re flying blind.
Understanding the 2026 Ravens Schedule Flow
The NFL is a creature of habit. Even though we don't have the exact kickoff times for every 2026 game yet, we already know the opponents. We know the locations. Baltimore is set to face some heavy hitters.
They’ve got the usual suspects at home: the Bengals, Browns, and Steelers. But they’re also hosting the Jaguars, Titans, Buccaneers, Saints, and the Chargers. On the road, it gets even more interesting with trips to Dallas, Buffalo, and Houston.
Most of these games will follow the standard 1:00 PM ET kickoff. That’s the bread and butter of the AFC North. However, since the Ravens are a perennial draw for national audiences—mostly thanks to Lamar Jackson being a human highlight reel—you can bet on at least four or five "primetime" games. Those are the ones that shift the what time Baltimore Ravens play answer to 8:15 PM or 8:20 PM ET.
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The Flexible Scheduling Trap
You've likely heard of "flexing." It’s the NFL’s way of making sure the best games are on when the most people are watching.
Starting as early as Week 5, the league can move Sunday afternoon games into the Sunday Night Football slot. This usually happens with only 12 days' notice. If the Ravens are fighting for the division lead in November, that 1:00 PM kickoff against the Bengals could suddenly become an 8:20 PM start. It’s great for the atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium, but it’s a nightmare for anyone who has to work early Monday morning.
Why Kickoff Times Vary So Much
It isn't just about TV ratings. Logistics play a massive part. When the Ravens travel to play the Dallas Cowboys or the Houston Texans in 2026, those games are often scheduled for the 4:25 PM ET "America’s Game of the Week" slot.
Television networks like CBS and FOX protected these late-afternoon windows because they often pull higher ratings than the actual night games. If the Ravens are the "away" team against an NFC opponent like the Cowboys, the game will likely air on FOX. If they are playing an AFC team like the Bills, CBS usually handles the broadcast.
- 1:00 PM ET: The standard. Most home games against AFC North rivals.
- 4:25 PM ET: The "Big Game" slot. Common for high-profile road trips or cross-conference matchups.
- 8:15/8:20 PM ET: Primetime. Monday Night (ESPN/ABC), Thursday Night (Amazon Prime), or Sunday Night (NBC).
International and Holiday Outliers
Don't forget the weird ones. The NFL has been aggressive about London and Germany games. While the 2026 international schedule isn't out, a London game would mean a 9:30 AM ET kickoff. You’re literally watching football with your morning coffee.
Then there are the holidays. The Ravens played on Christmas in 2023 and have had several Thanksgiving appearances. These games are fixed months in advance, but they break the usual Sunday routine.
How to Stay Ahead of the Clock
If you're trying to figure out what time Baltimore Ravens play for a specific week once the 2026 season kicks off, your best bet is to check the official Ravens app or the NFL’s digital schedule about ten days before the game.
The "official" time released in May is really just a placeholder for the latter half of the season. Always account for the "flex" window. If you are traveling to Baltimore for a game, I’d recommend booking your return flight for Monday morning. Too many fans have missed the end of a thriller because they had a 9:00 PM flight and the game got moved to a night start.
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Specific Matchup Time Predictions for 2026
Looking at the 2026 opponents, a few games scream "Night Game."
The home game against the Los Angeles Chargers is a natural candidate for primetime, especially with the Harbaugh storylines. The road game at the Dallas Cowboys is almost guaranteed to be a late afternoon 4:25 PM ET start or a Sunday Night Football feature. These are the "anchor" games that define the season's rhythm.
Preparation for the 2026 Season Opener
The NFL season usually starts the Thursday after Labor Day. As the second-place finisher in the AFC North for the 2025 season, the Ravens won't be hosting the league’s kickoff game (that’s reserved for the Super Bowl champ), but they will likely be a featured game that Sunday.
Expect that first game time to be revealed in mid-May 2026. Until then, we track the draft and free agency. The roster that takes the field in September will look a bit different, but the goal—and the stress of checking the clock—remains the same.
To ensure you never miss a kickoff, sync the Ravens' schedule directly to your Google or Outlook calendar via the team's official website once the May release happens. This automatically updates when the NFL "flexes" a game time, so you don't have to manually keep track of the league's constant shuffling. Focus on securing your tickets for the high-demand home games against Pittsburgh and Cincinnati early, as those 1:00 PM slots are the most likely to be moved to primetime if the divisional race heats up.