The 2025 season just wrapped up with a bit of a bittersweet "what if" vibe for Cleveland. If you're looking for when do browns play next, you've likely realized the stadium lights at Huntington Bank Field have gone dark for the winter. The Browns finished their 2025 campaign with a 5-12 record, capping things off with a tight 20-18 win over the Bengals on January 4, 2026.
It wasn't the Super Bowl run fans dreamed of, but that Week 18 win at least sent the team into the offseason with some momentum. Now, the focus shifts entirely to the 2026 cycle.
When is the next Browns game?
Right now, there isn't a game on the calendar for this week or next. Because the Browns did not qualify for the 2026 NFL Playoffs, their next meaningful snap won't happen until the preseason in August 2026.
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Typically, the NFL releases the official schedule with exact dates and times in mid-May. Until then, we know who they play, but we don't know the when.
The wait is kinda long. Eight months is a massive gap in the football calendar, but the front office is already moving. On January 5, 2026, the team officially confirmed their opponents for the upcoming season. Since they finished fourth in the AFC North, they'll be playing a "fourth-place schedule," which technically gives them a slightly easier path on paper—though in the NFL, "easy" is a relative term.
Browns 2026 Home and Away Opponents
Even without the specific dates, the logistics for the 2026 season are set. Cleveland will host eight games at home and travel for nine.
Playing at Huntington Bank Field (Home)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Las Vegas Raiders
Hitting the Road (Away)
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
The travel schedule looks a bit grueling. Trips to New Orleans and Tampa Bay offer some nice weather for traveling fans, but the back-to-back New York trips (Giants and Jets) usually end up being logistical hurdles depending on how the league slots them.
When do Browns play their biggest rivals?
The AFC North is essentially a fistfight in a phone booth every year. You already know the drill: two games against the Steelers, two against the Bengals, and two against the Ravens.
Honestly, the 2025 results showed that Cleveland can still hang in the division despite a losing record. They split with the Steelers and Bengals, which proves the "any given Sunday" mantra is alive and well in the North. When the 2026 schedule drops in May, the first thing most fans check is the date of the Pittsburgh home game. It’s a holiday in Cleveland, basically.
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Key dates for the 2026 Offseason
If you're asking when do browns play because you're looking for football to watch, you'll have to settle for the "Underwear Olympics" and the draft for now.
- NFL Scouting Combine: Late February 2026. This is where the team starts scouting the next generation of pass rushers to pair with Myles Garrett.
- Free Agency: March 2026. Expect the Browns to be active; they have holes to fill after a 5-12 season.
- 2026 NFL Draft: Late April 2026. This is the big one. Cleveland needs to nail their early picks to reset the roster.
- Schedule Release: Mid-May 2026. This is the exact moment we find out if the Browns open at home or on the road.
Why the 2025 season changed the 2026 outlook
The 2025 season was defined by a lot of "almosts." Losses to the Bengals (17-16) and Vikings (21-17) showed a team that was just a few plays away from being a .500 club.
The defense remains the backbone. Myles Garrett locked up another All-Pro nod, and Denzel Ward stayed consistent in the secondary. But the offense struggled for rhythm, leading to the departure of Kevin Stefanski after six seasons.
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Whoever takes the reins in 2026 will inherit a roster that has talent but needs a spark. The 2026 schedule is actually quite favorable because the Browns avoid some of the absolute juggernauts in the NFC, instead facing the NFC South and NFC East.
Actionable steps for Browns fans
Since there are no games today, here is how you can prepare for the 2026 kickoff:
- Check the May Schedule Release: Set an alert for the second week of May. This is when the NFL drops the full 17-game slate.
- Monitor the Coaching Search: With the Stefanski era over, the identity of the team for the 2026 season depends entirely on the new hire.
- Look at Travel Early: If you're planning on going to the away games in New Orleans or Tampa, book refundable hotels now before the schedule release causes prices to spike.
- Draft Position: Keep an eye on the top of the draft board. A 5-12 record means the Browns are picking high, and that rookie will likely be a Day 1 starter when the season begins in September.