So, you’re looking for the next Panthers game. I get it. The itch for Sunday afternoon football in Charlotte is real, especially after the ride we just went through. But if you were hoping to clear your schedule for next weekend, I’ve got some "rip the Band-Aid off" news for you.
The Carolina Panthers’ 2025-2026 season officially came to a close on January 10, 2026.
It was a wild one, wasn’t it? We went from a team everyone wrote off to winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record. Sure, that record doesn’t scream "powerhouse," but a division title is a division title. However, the short answer to when do the carolina panthers play next is actually... not for a while. Because we’re in the offseason now, the next time the Panthers hit the field will be for the 2026 preseason in August.
What Happened in the Wild Card Round?
If you missed the January 10th matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, man, you missed a heartbreaker. We were right there. It was a 34-31 loss at Bank of America Stadium that basically felt like a microcosm of the whole season: gutsy, messy, and just a couple of plays short.
Bryce Young actually looked like the guy we all hoped he’d be. He finished with 264 yards and a rushing touchdown, and for a minute there in the fourth quarter—after Jalen Coker caught that 7-yard TD pass to put us up 31-27—it felt like Charlotte was going to explode. But Matthew Stafford did Stafford things. He drove the Rams down for a 19-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson with only 38 seconds left.
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Game over. Season over.
When Do the Carolina Panthers Play Next in 2026?
Since the playoff run ended in the Wild Card round, the "next game" won’t happen until the 2026 NFL Preseason, which usually kicks off in early August 2026.
The NFL doesn't release the exact dates and kickoff times for the 2026 regular season until mid-May. It’s that big schedule release "event" that honestly feels like a national holiday at this point. Even though we don't have the calendar dates yet, we do know exactly who the Panthers are playing in 2026 because of the way the NFL rotation works.
The 2026 Home Opponents
Because the Panthers won the NFC South, they have a first-place schedule next year. That means it’s not going to be easy. Here is who is coming to Bank of America Stadium in 2026:
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- Atlanta Falcons (Division Rival)
- New Orleans Saints (Division Rival)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Division Rival)
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Seattle Seahawks (Because we both finished 1st in our respective divisions)
- Denver Broncos (The added 17th game opponent)
The 2026 Away Opponents
Pack your bags, because there are some legendary stadiums on the docket for the road crew next year:
- At Atlanta Falcons
- At New Orleans Saints
- At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- At Cleveland Browns
- At Green Bay Packers (Lambeau in the winter? Maybe we get lucky and it's a September game.)
- At Minnesota Vikings
- At Pittsburgh Steelers
- At Philadelphia Eagles
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters More Than Usual
The fact that the Panthers managed to snag the NFC South title with an 8-9 record is kinda hilarious, but also a huge step forward for Dave Canales and Dan Morgan. People forget that this team won only two games the year before. Jumping to eight wins and a playoff berth is massive.
But here’s the kicker: winning the division means you play the "winners" from other divisions. Instead of getting the last-place teams from the NFC East or NFC West, the Panthers have to face the Eagles and the Seahawks. It's the "tax" you pay for being successful.
Honestly, the 2026 season is going to be the real litmus test for Bryce Young. He’s going to have to face defenses like the Ravens and the Steelers. If you’re planning a trip, keep an eye on that Pittsburgh or Green Bay away game. Those are bucket-list stadiums for any NFL fan, even if the "When do the Carolina Panthers play next" question currently feels like a long way off.
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What to Watch During the Offseason
Just because there isn’t a game next Sunday doesn’t mean the team is quiet. If you're a die-hard, your "game days" are now the key dates of the NFL calendar:
- NFL Scouting Combine (Late Feb 2026): This is where Dan Morgan starts looking for more edge rushers. We saw in the Rams game that we still need more pressure on the quarterback.
- Free Agency (March 2026): Watch the offensive line. They improved, but Bryce still takes too many hits.
- The NFL Draft (April 2026): Since we made the playoffs, we won’t have a top-10 pick this time, which is a weird but good feeling.
Actionable Steps for Panthers Fans
While we wait for the 2026 kickoff, here is what you can actually do to stay ready:
- Check for Season Ticket Renewals: With the team actually being good again, demand is going to spike. If you've been on the fence, now is the time to look at the PSL market or ticket packages before the schedule drops in May.
- Watch the May Schedule Release: This is when you can actually answer when do the carolina panthers play next with a specific date and time. Usually, this happens the second week of May.
- Follow the Salary Cap: The Panthers have some decisions to make on guys like Jaycee Horn and the young defensive core. Keeping this roster together is the only way to repeat as NFC South champs.
It’s a bummer the season ended on a 3-point loss to the Rams. Truly. But for the first time in nearly a decade, we aren't asking "who are we taking with the #1 pick?" Instead, we're asking how we can get back to the playoffs. That's progress. Keep your jerseys ready—August will be here before you know it.