If you’re staring at your phone wondering what time does the vikings play, I have some news that might sting a little, depending on how closely you followed that wild Week 18 finish. The Minnesota Vikings officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026.
They aren't playing today.
While teams like the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams are currently battling it out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Vikings are back in Eagan, Minnesota, starting the long process of "evaluating the tape." It’s a bit of a bummer. After that 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers to close the season, there was a tiny glimmer of hope, but the math just didn't add up.
When is the next Vikings game?
Since the Vikings finished 9-8 and landed in third place in the NFC North, they missed the postseason cut. This means there are no more game times to track for the next several months.
We won't know the exact kickoff times for the 2026 season until the NFL officially drops the full schedule in May 2026. Usually, this happens the second week of May. That's when we find out if we're looking at a slate of noon starts or if Kevin O'Connell's squad snagged some primetime slots on Sunday Night Football.
I know, waiting until August for preseason feels like an eternity. But honestly, the "offseason" in the NFL is basically a sport of its own now.
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Who will the Vikings play in 2026?
Even though we don't have the "what time" part of the equation yet, we definitely know the "who." The NFL's scheduling formula is basically a giant algorithm that dictates opponents years in advance.
Because the Vikings finished third in the division, their 2026 schedule is actually quite fascinating. They’ll be facing the entire AFC East and the NFC South.
The 2026 Home Slate at U.S. Bank Stadium
- Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers: The usual suspects.
- Atlanta Falcons: A rematch of that weird Week 2 loss from last year.
- Carolina Panthers: Expect plenty of Bryce Young highlights in the pre-game hype.
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen in Minneapolis is always a ticket-seller.
- Miami Dolphins: Let's hope this one is scheduled for November so the Florida boys have to deal with the cold.
- Washington Commanders: A battle of the mid-tier finishers.
- Indianapolis Colts: This is the "matched finisher" game from the AFC South.
The 2026 Road Trips
- New Orleans Saints: Get your gumbo ready.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Hopefully, it’s a late-season trip to the sun.
- New England Patriots: A tough environment regardless of their record.
- New York Jets: Another trip to MetLife Stadium.
- San Francisco 49ers: This is arguably the toughest road game on the 2026 calendar.
Dealing with the "Noon Start" Reality
If you've lived in Minnesota long enough, you know the drill. Most people asking what time does the vikings play are usually expecting a 12:00 p.m. CST kickoff.
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The Vikings are the kings of the early Sunday window. For fans, it's a blessing and a curse. You get the game over with early, and you're either celebrating by 3:30 p.m. or you have the rest of the day to mourn the loss.
Last season, we saw a lot of that. The Week 18 game against Green Bay was a classic noon start that reminded everyone why U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the loudest venues in the league, even when the playoffs aren't on the line.
Key dates to watch instead of game times
Since there isn't a game this Sunday, your "Vikings clock" needs to shift to the front office schedule.
- The 2026 NFL Draft: April 23–25, 2025. The Vikings currently hold the 18th overall pick. Keep an eye on that.
- Schedule Release: Mid-May 2026. This is when the "what time" question finally gets answered.
- Training Camp: Late July 2026.
- Preseason Kickoff: Early August 2026.
It’s easy to get frustrated that the season is over, especially when the division rival Packers managed to sneak into the No. 7 seed. But look at it this way: J.J. McCarthy’s development and a top-20 draft pick give the Vikings a much higher ceiling for 2026 than a "one-and-done" playoff exit would have.
If you’re looking for football to watch today, you’re basically stuck watching the Bears at 5:30 p.m. CST. It’s not the purple and gold, but it’s divisional scouting.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL playoff bracket to see who the Vikings will have to jump over next season.
- Mark your calendars for the April 23 draft start to see who the next franchise cornerstone will be.
- Set a Google Alert for "NFL Schedule Release 2026" so you can be the first to book those road trip flights to New Orleans or San Francisco.