The star on the helmet is dimmed for now. Honestly, if you're looking for a kickoff time this week, you’re going to be disappointed. The Dallas Cowboys' 2025-2026 season officially hit the wall on January 4, 2026, following a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
It was a rough way to go out.
While the rest of the league is battling through the Divisional Round and eyeing the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, the Cowboys are already deep into "next year" mode. So, when do the Dallas Cowboys play next? The short answer: not until the preseason in August 2026.
Waiting sucks. We get it. But the schedule for the 2026 season is already taking shape, and it looks like a gauntlet.
🔗 Read more: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
The Long Wait for the 2026 Season
The NFL schedule is a machine. Even though the literal dates and times won't be released by the league until mid-May, we already know exactly who Dallas will face. Because the Cowboys finished second in the NFC East with a 7-9-1 record, their 2026 opponents are locked in based on the league's rotation formula.
You've got the standard home-and-away matchups against the Eagles, Giants, and Commanders. That’s six games right there. But 2026 is an "even" year, which means the NFC gets the extra home game. Dallas will host nine games at AT&T Stadium and travel for eight.
Home Games at AT&T Stadium
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Baltimore Ravens
Away Games on the Road
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Green Bay Packers
Facing Baltimore and San Francisco at home is huge, but that road trip to Lambeau Field to see the Packers? That’s always a nightmare for Dallas fans. Plus, there is a very real possibility that one of these games—likely a "home" game—could be moved to Mexico City as part of the NFL International Series. Jerry Jones has been vocal about wanting to return to Mexico, and 2026 feels like the year the league makes it happen.
💡 You might also like: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
Why the Next Game Feels So Far Away
The "when" isn't just about a date on a calendar. It’s about the massive overhaul happening in Frisco right now. Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer is facing a mountain of questions after a losing season.
Dak Prescott is still the guy, but the supporting cast is a giant question mark.
CeeDee Lamb remains the focal point, but the run game was basically nonexistent toward the end of the 2025 season. Watching the Giants rack up 34 points in the finale exposed some serious cracks in the defensive secondary that Joe Alva and the coaching staff have to address before the first snap of 2026.
📖 Related: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
Key Dates Before Kickoff
Since there are no games to watch, the "play next" calendar moves to the front office. If you want to follow the team's progress, these are the milestones that actually matter:
- NFL Scouting Combine (Feb 23 – March 2): This is where the 2026 roster starts to take shape. Dallas is looking at a top-20 pick this year.
- Free Agency (March 11): This is the "legal tampering" period. Will Jerry open the checkbook, or will it be another "we like our guys" kind of spring?
- 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25): Expect the Cowboys to go heavy on offensive line and defensive back depth.
- Schedule Release (Mid-May): This is when we get the exact answer to "when do the Dallas Cowboys play next" with specific times and dates.
The Verdict on the 2026 Outlook
It’s going to be a long spring in North Texas. The Cowboys finished the 2025 season with a losing record for the first time in years, and the road back to the playoffs is blocked by a 2026 schedule featuring eight teams that made the current postseason.
Basically, the "next" game is more than seven months away.
For fans looking to stay engaged, keep an eye on the East-West Shrine Bowl on January 27. It's happening right in Frisco at The Star. It’s the first real look at the draft prospects who might be wearing a star on their helmet come September.
The best way to prep for the 2026 season is to track the compensatory pick announcements in early March. Dallas is expected to gain extra mid-round capital due to free-agent losses from the previous cycle. These picks will be vital for rebuilding the depth that failed them in the 2025 stretch run. Focus on the draft board; it's the only scoreboard that matters for Cowboys fans until August.