So, it’s that time of year again where every Green Bay fan starts staring at their calendar like it’s a playbook. You’re wondering exactly when is Packers first game for the upcoming 2026 season. Honestly, while the NFL loves to keep us in suspense until the big schedule release in May, we actually know quite a bit right now.
Football never really sleeps. Even though the snow might still be on the ground at Lambeau, the road to the 2026 kickoff is already paved.
The short answer: When does the 2026 season start?
Basically, the NFL regular season is slated to begin on Thursday, September 10, 2026. This is the traditional "Kickoff Game" featuring the defending Super Bowl LX champion. Since the Packers finished the 2025 season with a solid 9-7-1 record and made a Wild Card appearance, they probably won't be the ones hosting that Thursday night opener unless they pull off a massive Super Bowl run this February.
For the rest of the league, including Green Bay, the "real" first game of the regular season will likely fall on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Write it down in ink.
But wait, there's a preseason to deal with first. If you’re the type of fan who needs to see the rookies and the fringe roster guys battle it out, your first look at the team will happen in early August. Typically, the Packers' first preseason game lands around August 13-15, 2026. It's usually a sloppy affair, but hey, it's football.
Why the schedule release date matters
You won't get the specific kickoff times or the exact "who and where" for Week 1 until the NFL's official schedule release. Based on how things have gone the last few years—like the 2025 schedule dropping on May 14—expect the 2026 reveal on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
That is the day your group chats will explode.
Who are the Packers playing in 2026?
We already know the opponents. The NFL uses a rotating formula, so even though we don't have the dates, the "who" is set in stone. Green Bay is matched up against the NFC South and the AFC East this year.
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Because Matt LaFleur’s squad finished second in the NFC North, they also have to play the second-place finishers from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South.
Home Games at Lambeau Field:
- The usual suspects: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings.
- The visitors: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
- The "Place Finish" games: Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
That Buffalo game? It's going to be a monster. Josh Allen coming to Green Bay in what could be a late-season frozen tundra match is exactly what the networks crave.
Away Games:
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- Division rivals: Bears, Lions, Vikings.
- The road trips: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets.
- The extra one: Los Angeles Rams.
Traveling to New Orleans is always a fan favorite for the food alone, but the Jets game has its own drama. Even without the old Aaron Rodgers storylines, playing in MetLife is always a grind.
What most people get wrong about the first game
A lot of people think the schedule is random. It's not.
The NFL is a business that loves ratings. When you ask when is Packers first game, you also have to ask where it is. There is a very high chance the Packers could open the season abroad. The league is obsessed with the International Series. Green Bay has a massive global following, and with 2026 being a year where they have nine home games (on paper), they are a prime candidate for a game in London, Munich, or even the new stadium in Madrid.
If the Packers get picked for an international game in Week 1, the "when" might involve a very early Sunday morning wake-up call for those of us in Wisconsin.
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The Jordan Love factor
The 2026 season is going to be a massive litmus test. By then, Jordan Love won't be the "new guy" anymore. He’ll be the established veteran. The first game of the season sets the entire tone for the "Love Era 2.0." Whether they open against a division rival like the Bears—which the NFL loves to do for the ratings—or a powerhouse like the Bills, that first game is the only data point we'll have for seven long months of waiting.
How to prepare for the 2026 kickoff
If you're planning a trip to Lambeau for the home opener, don't wait for the May schedule release to start thinking about logistics.
- Hotel hunting: Green Bay is tiny. Hotels for the first home game usually sell out within three hours of the schedule release. Look for places in Appleton or Howard if you want to save a few hundred bucks.
- The Gold Package: If you’re a season ticket holder in the "Gold" category (the Milwaukee package), keep an eye on whether the first game falls on your slate. Usually, Gold gets one of the first two home games.
- App Updates: Make sure you've got the official Packers app. They usually leak the first game opponent about 15 minutes before the televised special.
Actionable steps for Packers fans
- Mark May 13, 2026, on your calendar. That is the projected day the NFL will announce the full 17-game schedule.
- Set a Google Alert for "NFL International Games 2026." If the Packers are headed to Spain or England, tickets go on sale way before the regular season seats.
- Verify your ticket source. Only buy from verified secondary markets like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek once the schedule is live. Scams for the "Packers first game" peak in early June.
- Watch the Draft in April. The rookies picked at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh will be the ones you’re cheering for come September 10th.