The 2025 season was, to put it bluntly, a bit of a rollercoaster for the DMV. We saw a 5-12 finish that left a lot of fans checking their watches and wondering exactly when do the commanders play again so they can finally turn the page.
It's that weird limbo time of year. The regular season wrapped up on January 4, 2026, with a surprisingly gritty 24-17 win over the Eagles. If you’re a "glass half full" kind of person, you’re looking at that victory as a momentum builder for next year. If you’re a realist, you’re probably just glad the 12-loss season is in the rearview mirror.
Right now, the locker rooms at Northwest Stadium are quiet.
The Long Wait for the 2026 Kickoff
Honestly, if you are looking for a specific kickoff time right now, you aren't going to find one. The NFL likes to keep us in suspense. We won't get the actual calendar dates and "Sunday Night Football" designations until the official league schedule release in May 2026.
But we aren't totally in the dark.
Because of how the NFL rotation works, we already know exactly who the Commanders are lining up against. Since the team finished third in the NFC East, their 2026 dance card is filled with a mix of divisional rivals and a specific rotation of AFC and NFC West opponents.
The 2026 Home Slate
Washington will be hosting nine games this year. That extra home game is a nice perk of the 17-game schedule flip-flop. Here is who is coming to Maryland:
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- The Usual Suspects: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles.
- The AFC South Crew: Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
- West Coast Visitors: Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams.
- The Performance-Based Picks: Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons.
Seeing the Bengals back on the home schedule is interesting. It feels like we’re constantly in a "rematch" cycle with them, specifically after that 2024 Monday night clash that everyone still talks about.
Heading Out on the Road
The road schedule looks... tough. There’s no other way to say it. Traveling to the West Coast is always a grind, and hitting San Francisco or Arizona is never a "gimme" game.
- NFC East: Dallas, Philly, and New York (The MetLife trip is usually a cold one).
- The NFC West Gauntlet: Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.
- AFC South Roadies: Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
- The "Third-Place" Trip: Minnesota Vikings.
Why the Wait Feels Different This Time
The question of when do the commanders play again isn't just about dates; it's about the "reset."
Last year was Dan Quinn’s second year at the helm. While 5-12 isn't what anyone dreamed of, the roster is in a massive state of flux. We are looking at a "high-stakes reset" in 2026. The front office, led by Adam Peters, has a mountain of draft capital and, more importantly, a clear vision of what they want this culture to be.
Usually, by January, we’re just mourning a season. This year feels like a countdown to the NFL Draft in April.
"Now that the final game of the regular season has been played, the Washington Commanders know who their opponents will be for the 2026 season." — Official Team Statement, January 5, 2026.
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Mapping Out the 2026 Milestones
If you’re trying to plan your life around the team, you’ve basically got three main windows to watch.
Late July 2026: Training Camp Starts
This is the first time you’ll actually see the guys in pads. It’s usually hot, humid, and full of hope. This is when the position battles for the offensive line really heat up.
August 2026: The Preseason
Expect three games here. Usually, it's one home and two away, or vice versa. This is when we’ll get our first look at the rookies in a live-fire environment. If you want to know when do the commanders play again in a way that actually involves a scoreboard, this is your first stop.
September 10-13, 2026: Week 1
The NFL season is slated to begin on Thursday, September 10, 2026. While the defending Super Bowl champs will play that night, the Commanders will likely kick off their campaign on Sunday, September 13.
Addressing the Offseason Rumors
You can’t talk about the upcoming schedule without talking about the roster. Every year, people think the schedule is "easy" or "hard" based on last year’s records. That’s a trap.
In the NFL, a team that went 4-13 can suddenly become a powerhouse with a new quarterback and a lucky draft. Washington is banking on that. They’ll be facing a Houston Texans team that is currently a playoff contender and a Seattle Seahawks squad that has been consistently tough.
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Basically, don't put too much stock in the "strength of schedule" metrics you see on Twitter right now. They’re mostly
worthless until we see who survives free agency in March.
What You Should Do While You Wait
Since there are no games to watch for the next seven months, the focus shifts to the front office.
Keep a close eye on the NFL Scouting Combine in February. That’s where the 2026 version of this team really starts to take shape. After that, it's all about free agency in mid-March. If the Commanders don't shore up the secondary during that window, the 2026 schedule is going to look a lot more daunting than it does right now.
You should also look into the ticket situation. The team already opened up deposits for 2026 season tickets. With nine home games on the docket—including big draws like the Cowboys and Bengals—the demand is expected to be higher than last year, despite the win-loss record.
The Actionable Next Steps:
- Mark Your Calendar for May: That’s when the NFL will drop the actual times and dates for the 2026 season.
- Monitor the Draft Order: Washington's performance in 2025 secured them a high pick. Who they take will define the "vibe" of the 2026 opener.
- Check the International News: While the Commanders played in Madrid last year against the Dolphins, the 2026 schedule is expected to be more domestic, but the NFL loves a surprise international announcement in the spring.
- Audit the Roster: Follow beat writers like John Keim to see which veterans are getting the axe before the new league year begins in March.
The wait is long, but it’s part of the cycle. We’ll be back at Northwest Stadium before you know it.