You're sitting there, remote in hand, wings cooling on the counter, and you're wondering what time do cowboys play today. It's the classic Sunday morning ritual. But if you’re looking for a kickoff time right now, in mid-January 2026, I have some news that might make you want to throw that remote through the TV.
The Dallas Cowboys aren't playing. Not today. Not next week.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a sore subject for anyone wearing a star on their helmet. The 2025-2026 season didn't exactly go to plan for Jerry Jones and the crew. While the rest of the NFL is currently bashing heads in the Divisional Round of the playoffs—with the Rams and Bears scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM ET tonight—the Cowboys are already at home, probably scouting the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Reality of the Cowboys 2025-2026 Season
If you feel like you missed something, you didn't. The Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign with a 7-9-1 record. It was a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch. They technically finished second in the NFC East, which sounds okay until you realize the Philadelphia Eagles ran away with the division at 11-6.
The season wrapped up officially on January 4, 2026, with a pretty ugly 34-17 loss to the New York Giants. That was it. No playoffs. No "this is our year" January runs. Just a lot of questions for Brian Schottenheimer and the front office.
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What Time Do Cowboys Play in 2026?
Since there are no more live games this winter, we have to look ahead. Everyone wants to know the "when," but the NFL is a bit of a tease with their scheduling.
We know who they are playing in 2026, but the actual what time do cowboys play answer won't be set in stone until the NFL releases the official schedule, usually in mid-May. However, based on the rotation and the 2025 standings, the 2026 slate is already looking pretty brutal.
Because Dallas finished second in the NFC East, they have to face the second-place finishers from the AFC North, NFC South, and NFC North. Plus, 2026 is an "extra home game" year for the NFC.
The 2026 Opponent List (The "Who" Before the "When")
You can expect the usual suspects at AT&T Stadium next fall, but there are some heavy hitters on the list.
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Home Games at AT&T Stadium:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens (This will likely be a primetime "Big Game" slot)
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away Games:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans (The battle for Texas usually gets a late afternoon or Sunday night window)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
Why the Kickoff Times Matter
When the schedule does drop, keep an eye on the 3:25 PM CT window. That's the "America's Game of the Week" slot on FOX. The Cowboys live in that time zone. If you're asking what time do cowboys play during the regular season, 75% of the time, the answer is either noon or that late afternoon slot.
Then you've got the primetime problem. Jerry Jones loves the spotlight. Expect at least five primetime games—Sunday Night Football, Monday Night, and the inevitable Thursday night slot.
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And of course, there’s Thanksgiving. It's the one time you know the answer without checking Google. They will play at 3:30 PM CT on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2025, their Thanksgiving game against the Chiefs was actually the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history, peaking at over 61 million viewers. People love to watch them win, but they might love watching them lose even more.
How to Stay Ready for the 2026 Kickoff
Right now, the team is in "evaluation mode." They’ve got the 12th pick in the upcoming draft. They need help on the defensive line—specifically at tackle—and maybe another weapon for Dak Prescott, despite George Pickens having a decent All-Pro caliber year.
If you’re trying to plan your life around the 2026 season:
- Mark your calendar for mid-May. That’s when the NFL drops the full schedule with exact dates and times.
- Check the International Schedule. There’s a rumors the Cowboys might finally head overseas to host a game in 2026, possibly in London or Germany. If that happens, "what time do cowboys play" might suddenly become 8:30 AM ET.
- Preseason starts in August. Usually, the first week of August is when you'll see them back on the field for games that don't count but satisfy the craving.
It’s a long wait until September. For now, the "Cowboys play" clock is effectively paused. You might as well enjoy the playoffs as a neutral observer, or start looking at mock drafts to see who's going to be wearing the star next.
To get the most out of the upcoming off-season, you should download a dedicated NFL schedule app and set "Dallas Cowboys" as your primary team. These apps push notifications the second the May schedule is released, ensuring you can book travel for away games before ticket prices skyrocket. Additionally, keep an eye on the NFL's official international marketing announcements in February, as this will reveal if your 2026 kickoff times will involve an early morning London start.