It is that weird, hollow week in January. If you are looking for the Green Bay Packers today, Friday, January 16, 2026, I have some bad news that’s going to sting a bit. There is no game.
Honestly, it feels wrong. For a team that looked like world-beaters in the middle of the 2025 season—remember that absolute dismantling of the Steelers in October?—seeing the schedule empty right now is a tough pill to swallow. The Packers’ season officially went on ice last Saturday, January 10, in a 31-27 Wild Card heartbreaker against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
So, if you’re asking what time is the green bay game on because you’re hoping for a Divisional Round miracle, the reality is the team is currently cleaning out lockers at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. Matt LaFleur just finished his season-ending press conference, and the focus has already shifted to a 2026 schedule that looks, frankly, like a gauntlet.
Why the Packers Aren't Playing Today
The NFL playoffs are moving on without Green Bay. This weekend—Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18—features the Divisional Round matchups. Since the Packers were the No. 7 seed and lost their opening playoff game to the No. 2 seeded Bears, they’re out of the bracket.
It was a rollercoaster of a year. Jordan Love had moments where he looked like an MVP frontrunner, specifically during that five-game win streak in the fall. But the wheels kind of wobbled late. Finishing 9-7-1 in the regular season (that Week 4 tie against Dallas was just bizarre) put them in a position where they had to travel to a freezing Chicago for the playoffs.
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They almost pulled it off. Christian Watson’s deep threat kept them in it, but the Bears' defense—which led the league in takeaways this year—did exactly what they’ve done all season. They forced the big mistake when it mattered most.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule is Already Set
Even though there’s no game tonight, we actually know exactly who Green Bay is playing next season. The NFL’s rotation is predictable even when the games aren't. Because the Packers finished second in the NFC North, they’ve drawn a schedule that includes the NFC South and the AFC East.
Here is the breakdown of what we’re looking at for the 2026 campaign.
Home Games at Lambeau Field
The "Gold Package" fans are going to have some massive games next year. The heavy hitter is definitely the Buffalo Bills. Having Josh Allen come to Green Bay in what will likely be a late-season frozen tundra game is already the most anticipated matchup on the board.
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- Division Rivals: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings.
- NFC South: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers.
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
- Performance-Based Additions: Dallas Cowboys (NFC East #2) and Houston Texans (AFC South #2).
Road Trips
The away schedule is equally brutal. The Packers will have to travel to New England to face the Patriots and down to New Orleans for a dome game that is always a noise nightmare.
- Division Rivals: Chicago, Detroit, Minnesota.
- NFC South: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- AFC East: New York Jets, New England Patriots.
- The West Coast Swing: Los Angeles Rams.
Sorting Out the 2026 Schedule Rumors
There is a lot of chatter about an international game. With the NFL expanding the global markets, rumors are swirling that Green Bay might lose one of those home games to a neutral site in London or perhaps South America. Nothing is confirmed yet—the league usually drops the actual dates and times in May—but it’s something to keep an eye on.
If you were searching for what time is the green bay game on because you saw a listing for "Green Bay" playing today, you might be seeing the Green Bay Phoenix. The college hoops team is actually in the middle of a hot streak. They just beat Cleveland State 88-73 last night. Their next game is Sunday, January 18, at 1 p.m. CST against Oakland. If you need a Green Bay sports fix, the Kress Center is the place to be, not Lambeau.
What Fans Should Do This Weekend
Since Jordan Love and the crew are heading to the golf course or the offseason training facility, the best thing a Packers fan can do is scout the competition.
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The NFC North is getting crowded. The Bears are still alive. The Lions, despite a late-season collapse, are reloading. Watching how the Divisional Round plays out this weekend will give us a pretty good idea of the "arms race" happening in our own backyard.
You should also keep a close eye on the Houston Texans. Since Green Bay plays them next year, and they’ve won nine of their last ten games, that’s a matchup that could determine playoff seeding this time next year.
Next Steps for the Offseason:
- Mark the Draft: The 2026 NFL Draft will be the next major milestone for the roster.
- Monitor Free Agency: The Packers have some tough decisions to make on the offensive line.
- Check the May Schedule Release: This is when we’ll finally get the answer to what time is the green bay game on for the actual 2026 season opener.
The sting of the Chicago loss will fade, but for today, the pads are off and the stadium lights are dark.