If you’re frantically searching for what time does Miami Dolphins play today, I have some news that might be a little tough to hear. Honestly, if you were hoping to see Tyreek Hill burning cornerbacks or Tua Tagovailoa dinking and dunking his way down the field this afternoon, you're out of luck.
Today is Monday, January 19, 2026.
The Miami Dolphins are not playing today. Their 2025-2026 season ended a couple of weeks ago. It was a rollercoaster year that finished with a thud in Foxborough against the Patriots on January 4th. Since the Dolphins finished the regular season with a 7-10 record, they didn't make the cut for the NFL playoffs.
Why the Hard Rock Stadium is actually packed right now
It’s weird, right? You might see traffic reports or social media posts showing thousands of people heading toward Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens today. But they aren't there for the Dolphins.
Tonight is the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes—the other "Miami" team—are actually taking on the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST. It’s basically the biggest sporting event in the country right now, and it just happens to be happening in the Dolphins' backyard. If you're looking for football to watch today, that’s your best bet.
What Time Does Miami Dolphins Play Today and Why They’re Home
The Dolphins' absence from the January 19th schedule isn't a fluke or a bye week. It's the result of a season that just didn't have enough gas in the tank. To understand why you're even asking what time does Miami Dolphins play today, you have to look at how the 2025 season fell apart.
The team started slow. Real slow.
They dropped early games to the Colts and Patriots. By the time they hit their stride in mid-November—winning three straight against the Bills, Commanders, and Saints—the hole was already too deep.
The 2025 Season Recap
- Final Record: 7-10
- Division Standing: 3rd in the AFC East
- The Turning Point: That Monday night loss to the Steelers on December 15th (28-15) pretty much slammed the door on any Wild Card hopes.
- The Finale: A brutal 38-10 loss to New England in Week 18.
If they had made the postseason, they might have been playing yesterday during the Divisional Round. But the AFC games yesterday saw the New England Patriots beating the Houston Texans 28-16. The Dolphins were long gone by then.
When will the Dolphins play again?
Since they aren't playing today, your next chance to see them in a real game isn't until September 2026. The NFL usually releases the full schedule in mid-May. We do know who they’ll be playing, though, even if we don't have the exact times yet.
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2026 Home Opponents:
Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and several others determined by the final 2025 standings.
2026 Away Opponents:
They’ll definitely be heading to Buffalo, Denver, Green Bay, and Las Vegas.
The Green Bay trip to Lambeau Field is already a game fans are circling. Watching the Fins try to handle the Wisconsin "frozen tundra" late in the year is always a spectacle, though usually a painful one for Miami fans used to the 80-degree humidity of South Florida.
Misconceptions about the NFL Playoff Schedule
A lot of people get confused this time of year because the NFL schedule is so fluid. The "Monday Night Football" slot for the playoffs usually only happens during the Wild Card round. Since we are now in the Divisional Round weekend (which just wrapped up yesterday), there is no NFL game scheduled for this Monday night.
The league likes to keep Mondays clear for the College National Championship. It’s a gentleman’s agreement to let the amateurs have the spotlight for one night.
How to stay updated for the 2026 Season
If you want to avoid searching for game times when the team is already on vacation, you've got to keep an eye on the official league trackers.
- Check the NFL Standings: If it’s mid-January and the Dolphins aren't in the top six or seven teams in the AFC, they aren't playing.
- The "Flexible Scheduling" Trap: Later in the year, the NFL moves games from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night (or even Saturday). Always check the schedule on the Wednesday before a game to make sure the time hasn't shifted.
- The Madrid Game: Don't forget, in 2025, they played in Madrid, Spain. Those international games usually kick off at 9:30 a.m. EST, which catches a lot of fans sleeping—literally.
While there is no Dolphins game today, you can still get your football fix with the Hurricanes tonight at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. It’s the closest you’ll get to pro-level action until the preseason kicks off in August.
Keep an eye on the NFL Draft in April. That’s the next "big event" for the Dolphins as they try to fix a defense that gave up 45 points to the Bengals back in December. Until then, the pads are off in Miami.
Actionable Next Steps
- Mark your calendar for mid-May 2026: This is when the NFL will officially announce the dates and times for the 2026-2027 season.
- Watch the CFP National Championship: If you are in Miami, the game is at Hard Rock Stadium tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST; otherwise, tune into ESPN.
- Review the 2026 Opponents: Check the Miami Dolphins official website for the list of teams they are slated to face next season so you can start planning road trips to cities like Las Vegas or Green Bay.