The question of what time Atlanta Falcons play usually results in a quick Google search and a glance at a kickoff countdown. But right now, in mid-January 2026, the answer is a little more complicated than a simple "1:00 PM on Sunday."
The Falcons just wrapped up their 2025-2026 regular season with a gritty 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on January 4th. If you were looking for them on your TV screen this weekend, you likely noticed a glaring absence. Despite a late-season surge under Raheem Morris, the Falcons finished with an 8-9 record. They didn't make the cut for the 2026 NFL playoffs.
While teams like the 49ers and Seahawks prepare for the Divisional Round on January 17th and 18th, Atlanta fans are already pivoting to the future. If you're asking about the next time they take the field, you're looking at the 2026 preseason in August.
The Reality of the 2026 Falcons Schedule
Honestly, being a Falcons fan is an exercise in patience. We spent the last few months of 2025 watching Kirk Cousins navigate a rollercoaster season. There were moments of brilliance, like that Week 17 win against the Rams, but the 8-9 finish means the "what time" question is currently on ice.
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The NFL typically releases the official schedule with exact dates and kickoff times in mid-May. Until then, we only know who they play, not exactly when.
Who is on the 2026 Slate?
The NFL's scheduling formula is basically a math equation that guarantees certain matchups. Because the Falcons finished third in the NFC South, their 2026 opponents are already locked in.
Home Games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
- The Division Rivals: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers.
- NFC North Matchups: Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
- AFC North Matchups: Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
- Performance-Based Additions: San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Away Games:
- The Division Rivals: Saints, Bucs, and Panthers.
- NFC North Trips: Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
- AFC North Trips: Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.
- The Final Piece: A road game against the Washington Commanders.
One of these home games is going to be played internationally. The NFL confirmed in December 2025 that Atlanta was granted an international home game for the 2026 season. Whether that's London, Munich, or a new destination, the kickoff time for that specific game will likely be a "breakfast ball" 9:30 AM ET start.
Why Kickoff Times Change (The Flex Factor)
Even once the schedule drops in May, the answer to what time Atlanta Falcons play isn't written in stone. The NFL uses "Flexible Scheduling" to ensure the best matchups land in primetime.
Between Weeks 5 and 17, the league can move Sunday afternoon games to Sunday Night Football. This happened twice to the Falcons last year. It’s great for national exposure but a total headache if you’ve already planned a tailgate.
Common Kickoff Windows
Most Falcons games fall into these three buckets:
- The 1:00 PM ET Window: This is the standard. Most of their divisional games against the Saints or Panthers will land here on FOX or CBS.
- The 4:05/4:25 PM ET Window: Usually reserved for big matchups against West Coast teams like the 49ers.
- Primetime (8:15/8:20 PM ET): These are the Monday Night Football (ESPN), Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime), or Sunday Night Football (NBC) slots.
With the Chiefs and 49ers coming to Atlanta in 2026, you can bet at least one of those will be a night game. Everyone wants to see Mahomes in the Benz.
How to Stay Ready for the 2026 Season
Since the team isn't playing today, your best bet is to prep for the draft and the schedule release.
The Falcons are currently sitting with the 20th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft (based on their 8-9 finish). The front office, now bolstered by Matt Ryan in his new role as President of Football Operations, has a massive offseason ahead. They need to figure out the pass rush and whether the Cousins-led offense can finally break the .500 barrier.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Sync Your Calendar: When the schedule is released in May 2026, most major sports apps offer a "sync to calendar" feature. Use it. It automatically updates when the NFL "flexes" a game time.
- Watch the International Announcement: Keep an eye out in April. If the Falcons are headed to London, you’ll need to adjust your Sunday morning plans for that early 9:30 AM kickoff.
- Check Local Broadcasts: Not every game is on FOX. With the new media deals, games are scattered across CBS, ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime, and sometimes even Netflix or Peacock.
The 2025 season had its thrills—Zane Gonzalez hitting multiple 50+ yarders and Drake London crossing the 1,000-yard mark again—but the lack of postseason football in Atlanta is a sting that won't go away until August. Mark your calendars for May; that's when the real planning begins.