The Minnesota Vikings just wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign with a 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers. Honestly, it was a weird way to end it. They finished 9-8, riding a five-game winning streak that felt great in the moment but effectively nuked their draft position and left them just outside the playoff picture.
So, if you’re looking for a game this weekend, you’re out of luck. The Vikings are officially on vacation.
Because they missed the postseason, they won't be back on the field for a meaningful snap until August 2026. That feels like an eternity when you're used to the Sunday ritual. But while the pads won't be popping at U.S. Bank Stadium for a while, the machinery of the 2026 season is already spinning. Here is the breakdown of what is actually happening next for the Purple and Gold.
When Do the Minnesota Vikings Play Football Next?
The short answer? The 2026 NFL Preseason.
While the NFL hasn't released the specific dates and times for the 2026 schedule—that usually happens in mid-May—we know the routine. You can expect the Vikings to return for three preseason games in early-to-mid August.
The regular season will likely kick off on Thursday, September 10, or Sunday, September 13, 2026.
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It’s a long wait. Fans are currently watching the Packers (who grabbed the #7 seed despite the Vikings beating them in Week 18) and the rest of the NFC North move into the playoffs while Minnesota starts "evaluating."
Who Will the Vikings Face in 2026?
We might not have the "when," but we definitely have the "who." Because the Vikings finished third in the NFC North, their schedule for 2026 is locked in based on the NFL's rotating formula.
It’s going to be a tough road. They have to play the AFC East and the NFC South this year, plus their usual divisional scraps.
2026 Home Opponents at U.S. Bank Stadium
- Chicago Bears (The biannual slugfest)
- Detroit Lions (Always high-scoring lately)
- Green Bay Packers (The Border Battle)
- Atlanta Falcons (Kirk Cousins returns again? Maybe.)
- Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen in Minneapolis is a problem)
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders
- Indianapolis Colts
2026 Road Opponents
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- New Orleans Saints (Always a loud environment)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers (The toughest road trip on the slate)
That 49ers game exists because both teams finished in the same "slot" in their respective divisions. It's a heavy-hitter schedule. Facing the Bills, Dolphins, and 49ers in the same year is a gauntlet for any defense.
The Quarterback Crossroads
The question of "when they play next" is inseparable from "who will be under center."
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J.J. McCarthy’s development is the only thing Vikings fans are talking about. After a 2025 season that saw him take the reins as the starter, 2026 is viewed as the "no excuses" year. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been vocal about the "growth trajectory," but let's be real—in Minnesota, if you aren't winning by year three of a rebuild, the seat gets warm.
The Vikings are currently sitting with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They've picked from this spot three times before, notably grabbing center Garrett Bradbury in 2019. Most experts, like those over at The Athletic or SKOR North, expect them to target defensive line depth or a shutdown corner to help Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme.
Key Dates Before the 2026 Kickoff
If you're a die-hard, the "next game" isn't the only thing on your calendar. The offseason has its own rhythm.
- NFL Scouting Combine (Late February 2026): This is where the draft board starts to take shape.
- Free Agency Begins (March 2026): Watch the cap space. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has been aggressive with "competitive rebuild" moves.
- The 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25, 2026): Hosted in Pittsburgh this year. This is where the 2026 roster actually gets built.
- Schedule Release (May 2026): This is when we finally get the specific dates and kickoff times.
- Training Camp (Late July 2026): The first time you can actually go see them "play" (sort of) at TCO Performance Center in Eagan.
Why the Week 18 Win Matters (and Why It Doesn't)
Winning that last game against Green Bay was bittersweet.
On one hand, you never want to lose to the Packers. Ending the year 9-8 and on a winning streak gives the locker room "momentum"—whatever that actually means in a six-month vacuum.
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On the other hand, the Vikings dropped out of the top 12 of the draft. They leapfrogged the Lions in the standings, which gave them a "3rd place" schedule. Ironically, the Lions (who finished 4th) now have an easier 2026 schedule with games against the Giants and Titans, while the Vikings have to play the Commanders and Colts.
Football is weird like that.
Actionable Steps for Vikings Fans
Since there are no games to watch for a while, here is how you stay in the loop:
- Audit your tickets: If you're a season ticket holder, the renewal window usually opens shortly after the Super Bowl.
- Watch the UFL: Several former Vikings and NFL veterans (like Captain Munnerlyn, who just took a coaching job there) will be active in the spring league starting in March.
- Track the 18th Pick: Start looking at mock drafts for the "18th overall" slot. Names to watch usually include high-end interior defensive linemen or secondary help.
- Check International News: The Vikings played in Ireland and London in 2025. While they likely won't head overseas in 2026 (they are slated for 9 home games at U.S. Bank Stadium), the NFL usually announces international fixtures in early spring.
The wait for the next Minnesota Vikings game is long, but for a team in transition, this offseason might be the most important one in a decade.