The question of what time the new york giants play today has a pretty short answer: they don't.
If you're waking up this Saturday, January 17, 2026, looking for a kickoff time at MetLife, you’re out of luck. The Giants' 2025-26 campaign hit its official expiration date about two weeks ago on January 4th. They wrapped things up with a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, which was a nice little parting gift for the fans, but it didn't change the reality of a 4-13 season.
While the NFL playoffs are currently heating up—the Divisional Round starts today with games like the Bills at the Broncos—the Giants are already in full-blown "next year" mode. Honestly, for Big Blue fans, the "game" has shifted from the field to the front office.
The Reality of the 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule
While you might have been hoping for a Wild Card miracle, the Giants finished at the bottom of the NFC East. Because of that, there is no game on the schedule for today.
Instead of checking the TV guide for a Giants kickoff, here is what the actual NFL slate looks like for today, Saturday, January 17:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This is the early window game for the Divisional Round.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A classic NFC West showdown taking the primetime slot.
The Giants aren't in that mix. They’re busy scouting the Senior Bowl and looking at Draft boards. It’s a tough pill to swallow when you're used to the "Any Given Sunday" mantra, but the math just didn't work out this year.
When Will We Know What Time the New York Giants Play Today in 2026?
Since the current season is over, the focus shifts to the 2026-27 schedule. We already know who they are playing because the NFL uses a rotating formula, but we don't know the when yet.
The league usually drops the official schedule in mid-May. That's when we get the actual dates and those specific "what time" details everyone looks for.
Even though the dates are TBD, the opponents for 2026 are locked in:
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Home Games at MetLife Stadium:
The Giants will host the usual suspects—Dallas, Philly, and Washington. But they also have some heavy hitters coming to East Rutherford. We’re talking about the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals from the NFC West. They’ll also host the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and the New Orleans Saints.
Away Games:
On the road, things look pretty brutal. Besides the divisional trips, they have to fly out to see the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, L.A. Rams, and Seattle Seahawks.
Why the 4-13 Finish Actually Matters for 2026
You might think a four-win season is just a total disaster, but in the NFL, it buys you a specific kind of hope. Because the Giants finished last in their division, they get a "last-place schedule."
This means that for the three games on the schedule determined by divisional ranking, they’ll play other teams that finished in the basement of their respective divisions (the Browns, Saints, and Lions). It’s supposed to create parity, giving struggling teams a slightly easier path to bounce back.
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Giants Offseason: What to Watch Instead of a Game
If you're bummed that you can't find what time the new york giants play today, there’s still plenty of team news to track. The period between the final whistle in January and the Draft in April is arguably the most important window for a rebuilding franchise.
- The Draft Position: Finishing 4-13 puts the Giants high up in the 2026 NFL Draft order.
- Free Agency Fever: In March, the "legal tampering" period begins. This is when the Giants will have to decide which veteran pieces are worth the cap space.
- Coaching Staff Shuffles: Usually, after a losing season, you see some movement with coordinators. Keep an eye on the defensive side of the ball specifically.
It’s easy to get frustrated. Giants fans are some of the most loyal—and vocal—in the league. Watching the playoffs from the couch while rivals like the Eagles or Cowboys (who the Giants actually beat to end the season) might still be playing is never fun.
Actionable Steps for Giants Fans This Weekend
Since there’s no game today, here is how you can stay productive as a fan:
- Audit Your Gear: It’s a great time to snag clearance jerseys from the 2025 season before the new 2026 styles drop.
- Track the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the 49ers and Seahawks today. Since the Giants play both of those teams at some point in the 2026 season, this is an early look at the competition.
- Mark the Calendar: Set a reminder for mid-May for the official NFL Schedule Release. That is the day you can finally answer "what time the new york giants play" for every single week of the next season.
- Check the Prospect Lists: Start looking at the top offensive line and quarterback prospects in the 2026 Draft. With a high pick, the Giants are in a prime position to snag a franchise-altering talent.
The 2025 season might be in the books, but the groundwork for a 2026 comeback is being laid right now.