You’re probably here because you’re staring at your TV guide or refreshing your sports app, wondering what time is lions game and why the heck you can’t find a kickoff time for today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. You’ve got the wings ready, the jersey is on, and you’re ready to see Dan Campbell lead the squad into battle.
But here’s the cold, hard truth: There is no Detroit Lions game today. I know, it’s a bummer. After a season that felt like a rollercoaster—starting with high hopes and ending with a 9-8 record—the Lions are officially in "next year" mode. While other teams are preparing for the Divisional Round this weekend, the Lions’ season wrapped up about twelve days ago in Chicago.
The Reality Check: Where Are the Lions?
If you were looking for the Lions in the playoff bracket, you won't find them. Despite finishing with a winning record (that’s four winning seasons in a row, for those keeping track), the NFC North was a total gauntlet this year.
The Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers both finished ahead of Detroit. In fact, even though the Lions beat the Bears 19-16 in the season finale on January 4, it wasn't enough to leapfrog Minnesota for a wildcard spot because of those tiebreakers. Head-to-head records are a beast.
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Basically, the Lions are home. They aren't playing today, tomorrow, or Sunday.
What You're Seeing on the Schedule Instead
If you saw "Lions" on a schedule today, you might be looking at college basketball. The Loyola Marymount Lions are actually playing the Pacific Tigers tomorrow, Saturday, at 5 p.m. EST. If you're a Detroit fan, that's probably not the "Lions game" you were looking for.
Why Everyone Is Searching for the Game Today
It’s easy to get confused. Usually, by mid-January, Detroit fans are used to being deep in the playoff hunt lately. Plus, the NFL Divisional Round is literally starting tomorrow.
Here is the actual NFL schedule for the next few days (none of which involve Detroit):
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- Saturday, Jan. 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, Jan. 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, Jan. 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET)
Seeing the Bears on that list probably stings. Watching a division rival play in the Divisional Round while the Lions sit at home is never fun.
When Do the Lions Play Again?
Since the question "what time is lions game" doesn't have an answer for today, let's look at the horizon. We won't have exact kickoff times for the 2026 season until the NFL releases the official schedule in May.
However, we already know who they are playing. Because the Lions finished fourth in the NFC North, they actually have a "last-place schedule" for 2026, which might be the silver lining we need.
The 2026 Opponent Preview
The Lions will host nine games at Ford Field next season. You’ll see the usual suspects—Packers, Vikings, Bears—but also some interesting matchups:
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- New England Patriots (Expect a lot of "remember when" talk about Matt Patricia era)
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Giants
On the road, they’ll be heading to some warm spots like Miami and Atlanta, which is a nice break from the Detroit winter.
What to Do While You Wait
Since there’s no game to watch, the focus in Detroit has shifted entirely to the coaching staff and the draft. Ben Johnson’s name is constantly in the news as he evaluates his future, and the front office is already looking at Taylor Decker’s eventual successor.
If you really need a football fix, the NFL Divisional games tomorrow are actually going to be decent. Watching how the Rams and Bears handle the pressure might give us some insight into what the Lions need to do to get back into that top tier next January.
Actionable Next Steps for Lions Fans:
- Stop refreshing the scores: There is no NFL game on a Friday in mid-January. The league almost never plays Fridays unless it's a specific holiday like Christmas or Black Friday.
- Mark your calendar for May: That's when the 2026 NFL Schedule officially drops with dates and times.
- Watch the Draft: The NFL Draft in late April is the next "big event" for the Lions. That's where the 2026 season is truly won.
- Check out the UFL: If you just want to see some Detroit football, the Michigan Panthers usually start up in the spring. It's not the NFL, but it fills the void.
The quest for a Super Bowl is on pause for now. Grab a local craft beer, enjoy a weekend without the stress of a Lions fourth-quarter collapse, and wait for the draft buzz to start.