Let's just be real: "Dallas" is a broad term in January. If you are asking if the Cowboys are in the playoffs, the answer is a flat-out no. It’s a tough pill for the fans to swallow, especially given the history and the hype that usually surrounds Frisco this time of year. But if you’re looking at the Stars, the ice in the American Airlines Center is heating up for a deep run.
Sports fans in Texas usually have a high bar. When one team fails, they pivot. Right now, the pivot is away from the gridiron and toward the rink and the hardwood.
Is Dallas in the playoffs for the 2025-26 NFL season?
The Dallas Cowboys have officially missed the 2026 NFL playoffs.
It wasn't even a photo finish. They wrapped up their regular season on January 4, 2026, with a lackluster 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. Honestly, the season was a bit of a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch. They finished with a weird record: 7 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie. That tie against Green Bay back in September (40-40) was a sign of things to come—just not quite enough to get the job done.
For the second year in a row, Jerry Jones and company are watching the postseason from the couch. While Dak Prescott put up respectable numbers—throwing for over 4,500 yards—the defense was porous when it mattered. They finished 2nd in the NFC East, but in a league where "almost" doesn't get you a wildcard spot, they fell way short of the 12th seed in the NFC.
- Final Record: 7-9-1
- Playoff Status: Eliminated
- Next Move: The 2026 NFL Draft and a massive roster "reset" rumored by the front office.
Checking in on the Dallas Stars playoff hunt
Now, if you’re a hockey fan, the news is way better. Is Dallas in the playoffs for the NHL? Technically, they haven't clinched a "X" next to their name yet, but they are sitting in a very comfortable spot.
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As of mid-January 2026, the Stars are holding down the 2nd spot in the Central Division. They have 63 points and a record of 27-11-9. They are chasing the Colorado Avalanche for the top spot, but they have a solid cushion over the Minnesota Wild.
The Stars are playing high-event hockey. They’re averaging about 3.4 goals per game, but they’re also giving up about that much. It’s heart-attack hockey. Jason Robertson is still the engine of that offense, and Jake Oettinger is holding things down in the net, even if the defense in front of him has been a little leaky lately.
The NHL playoffs don't start until April, but unless the wheels completely fall off, the Stars are a lock for a postseason berth.
What about the Mavericks and the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
The situation at the American Airlines Center gets a little more depressing when the court changes from ice to wood. The Dallas Mavericks are currently on the outside looking in.
Injuries have absolutely decimated this roster. Anthony Davis, who was supposed to be a massive piece for this 2025-26 campaign, has been sidelined with a finger sprain, and Kyrie Irving has been recovering from knee surgery. When Davis is on the floor, they’re a .500 team. Without him? They've been 4-14.
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Currently, they sit at 12th in the Western Conference with a 15-25 record. In the NBA, you need to be in the top 10 just to make the Play-In Tournament. They are 18.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Basically, the Mavs are leaning heavily on rookie Cooper Flagg and Klay Thompson to keep them afloat. Flagg has been a bright spot—averaging over 21 points a game—but one rookie can’t carry a playoff push in the West.
- Current Seed: 12th in Western Conference
- Games Behind 10th: Roughly 3 games behind Memphis
- The Outlook: Bleak, unless Davis and Irving return at 100% immediately.
FC Dallas and the 2026 MLS Season
Since it's January, the soccer world is in a bit of a lull. FC Dallas hasn't even started their 2026 campaign yet. They open up on February 21 against Toronto FC.
It is worth noting that the 2026 season will be interrupted by the FIFA World Cup. If you're looking for FC Dallas playoffs, you'll have to wait until November 2026. The schedule is already out, and they’ve got a heavy road stretch in July.
Summary of Dallas playoff status (January 2026)
If you're looking for a quick reference on who to cheer for right now, look at this breakdown:
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The Cowboys (NFL): Season is over. No playoffs. They are currently looking at draft boards and wondering how to fix a defense that gave up over 500 points this year.
The Stars (NHL): In a great spot. Currently 2nd in their division. If you want to see playoff games in Dallas this year, this is your best bet.
The Mavericks (NBA): Struggling. They are currently out of the playoff and play-in picture. They need a massive second-half surge to save their season.
FC Dallas (MLS): Season hasn't started. No playoffs until late in the year.
Real steps for Dallas sports fans today
If you want to stay on top of the "is Dallas in the playoffs" question, you should focus on the Stars' upcoming schedule. They have a heavy West Coast swing coming up that will likely determine if they can challenge Colorado for the division lead.
For Cowboys fans, the "playoffs" are now the off-season. Keep an eye on the salary cap. The team is currently $34 million over the cap, which means some fan favorites are likely getting cut before March.
Stop checking the NFL standings; those are set in stone. Start checking the NHL Western Conference wildcard race and the NBA injury reports for Anthony Davis. That is where the real playoff drama lives for Dallas right now.