So, the 2025 season is finally in the rearview mirror. Honestly, it was a weird one. If you’re a fan, you’re probably still trying to figure out how a team with that much talent finished 7-9-1. That tie against the Packers in Week 4? Still stings. But look, in the NFL, the cycle never stops. Even though the official calendar hasn’t hit the spring release date yet, we actually already know exactly who the Dallas Cowboys football schedule is going to feature for 2026.
It’s basically a math equation at this point. Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East (shoutout to the Eagles for taking the top spot), their 2026 dance card is locked in based on the league’s scheduling formula. You’ve got your usual divisional brawls, a full rotation against the NFC West and AFC South, and those specific "placement games" that depend on where you sat in the standings.
Jerry Jones is already talking about "meaningful changes." He has to. After missing the playoffs for two straight years, the pressure in Frisco is reaching a boiling point. If you think 2025 was a rollercoaster, wait until you see the gauntlet they’re facing next.
Breaking Down the Dallas Cowboys Football Schedule for 2026
The NFL won't drop the actual dates and kickoff times until May. That’s the big TV spectacle everyone waits for. However, the home and away opponents are 100% set.
Next year, the Cowboys get the "extra" home game. Thanks to the 17-game season rotation, NFC teams host nine games in 2026. This is huge for the gate receipts at AT&T Stadium, but it’s also a massive competitive edge if they can actually fix that defense, which—let’s be real—ranked dead last in points allowed last season.
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The Home Slate at AT&T Stadium
Arlington is going to be busy. Outside of the Giants, Eagles, and Commanders coming to town, some heavy hitters are visiting.
- San Francisco 49ers: This rivalry just won't die. It feels like they play every single year now.
- Baltimore Ravens: Seeing Lamar Jackson in Jerry World is always a ticket-seller.
- Arizona Cardinals & Tampa Bay Buccaneers: These are those second-place finisher matchups.
- AFC South Visitors: The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
Packing the Bags: The Road Trip
The away schedule looks brutal. Honestly, playing at Lambeau Field is never fun, regardless of what the Packers' record is.
- Houston Texans: The Battle of Texas is back. NRG Stadium will be rocking for that one.
- Green Bay Packers: Another trip to the frozen tundra.
- NFC West Swings: Dallas has to fly out to see the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.
- The Indy Trip: A visit to the Indianapolis Colts rounds out the AFC South road games.
Why the 2026 Schedule is Tougher Than It Looks
You might look at a 7-9-1 record and think, "Hey, a second-place schedule should be easier, right?" Not exactly. Seven of the teams on the 2026 list were playoff contenders last year. The NFC West alone is a buzzsaw.
Most people assume the divisional games are the most important. Sure, you have to win the East. But look at the non-conference stretch. Facing the AFC South means dealing with young, mobile quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud. The Cowboys' pass rush, led by Micah Parsons, is going to have to be elite just to keep them in those games.
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Also, keep an eye on the international rumors. The NFL is obsessed with expanding, and Dallas is the biggest brand they have. There’s a decent chance one of those "home" games—maybe the one against Baltimore—gets moved to London or Germany. Jerry usually hates giving up a home date in Arlington, but the league has a lot of pull these days.
What Needs to Change Before Week 1
Brian Schottenheimer is currently at the helm, but the seat is warm. You can’t go 7-9-1 with Dak Prescott and George Pickens (who had a solid Pro Bowl year) and expect to keep your job forever. The 2026 Dallas Cowboys football schedule doesn't care about your past accolades.
The biggest issue? The run game. Jaydon Blue showed flashes, but they need a bell-cow back if they’re going to survive a 17-game grind. Defensively, Quinnen Williams was a bright spot, but the secondary looked lost during that late-season skid where they dropped games to the Vikings and Chargers back-to-back.
Here is the reality of the situation:
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- The Cowboys play 9 home games and 8 away games in 2026.
- They face the entire NFC West and AFC South.
- Their "extra" game is against the Baltimore Ravens.
- They will play three teams that finished in 2nd place in their respective divisions: Cardinals, Buccaneers, and Packers.
It’s a "show me" year. No more excuses about injuries or bad bounces. When the schedule drops in May, fans will be circling that 49ers game and the Houston trip immediately.
If you're planning to attend a game, keep your eyes on the mid-May release. That's when the "when" meets the "who." Until then, the front office has to figure out how to navigate a cap situation that’s always tighter than a drum.
Start looking at flight prices for Seattle and Los Angeles now. Those West Coast trips are always the first to sell out, especially when the Star is in town. The 2026 season will be here faster than you think, and for a team that’s been hovering around .500, the margin for error is basically zero.
For fans wanting to stay ahead, the best move right now is to monitor the defensive coordinator search. Whoever takes that job is inheriting a unit that gave up over 30 points per game last year. They’ll need a solid plan before they have to face the likes of Lamar Jackson and Deebo Samuel in 2026.