If you're asking when is the Dallas Cowboys game, you might want to sit down. The 2025-2026 season ended on a pretty sour note. Honestly, it was a bit of a disaster. Dallas wrapped up their year on Sunday, January 4, 2026, with a loss to the New York Giants. That 7-9-1 record wasn't just disappointing; it was a gut punch that knocked them out of the playoffs for the second straight year.
So, here is the short answer: There isn't a game this week. Or next week. Or for several months.
Since the Cowboys didn't make the postseason cut, Jerry World is going to be quiet until the late summer. The NFL playoffs are moving forward without America's Team. While teams like the Eagles and Seahawks are fighting through the divisional round on January 17 and 18, 2026, the Cowboys are already in "wait until next year" mode. It's a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that expects a Super Bowl run every single winter.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule Outlook
Even though the official dates and kickoff times won't be released by the NFL until mid-May, we actually already know who the Cowboys are playing in 2026. The opponents are set based on the league's rotating scheduling formula.
Dallas is slated for nine home games this time around. That’s the "even year" perk for the NFC. There’s also some serious chatter about an international game. Rumors are swirling that the Cowboys might finally head to Mexico City as a "home" team, which would be a massive event for their huge fan base south of the border.
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2026 Home Opponents at AT&T Stadium
- Philadelphia Eagles (Always a slugfest)
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers (A classic rivalry that usually hurts)
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Baltimore Ravens (Watching Lamar in Arlington will be something else)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026 Away Games
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
- Houston Texans (The battle for Texas pride)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Green Bay Packers (Lambeau in the winter? Ouch.)
Why There’s No Game Right Now
Missing the playoffs isn't just about the record. It's about the "what ifs." The Cowboys actually finished second in the NFC East, but that 7-9-1 mark wasn't enough to snag a Wild Card spot in a top-heavy NFC. The Philadelphia Eagles took the division with an 11-6 record, while the wild card spots went to powerhouses like the Rams and 49ers.
Because of this early exit, the organization is already blowing things up. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the front office are currently deep in the hunt for a new defensive coordinator. They’ve been interviewing names like Christian Parker from the Eagles and Charlie Bullen from the Giants. It’s basically a total rebuild on the defensive side of the ball after a season where they allowed 511 points. That’s more than 30 points a game. You just can’t win like that.
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Mark Your Calendars for the Return
If you're itching to see Dak Prescott and the crew back on the field, here’s the timeline you need to track.
- NFL Schedule Release (Mid-May 2026): This is when we get the exact dates. We'll find out if they open the season on Sunday Night Football or if they're stuck in a 1:00 PM slot.
- Training Camp (Late July 2026): The team usually heads to Oxnard, California. This is when the hype train starts rolling again.
- Preseason (August 2026): Expect three games here. Usually, one is at home and two are away, or vice versa.
- Regular Season Opener (September 10-13, 2026): This is the "real" answer to when the next game is. The NFL season officially kicks off on Thursday, September 10, but the Cowboys will likely play that Sunday.
What to Do While You Wait
It’s a long offseason. Honestly, the best way to stay connected is to watch the NFL Draft in April. Since Dallas finished with a losing record, they’ll have a decent pick to hopefully shore up that leaky defense.
Keep an eye on the defensive coordinator hire this month. That's going to tell us everything about how the team plans to fix the mess from 2025. If they hire a big name, expect the "Cowboys are winning it all" talk to start before the ink is even dry.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL schedule in May for the exact Week 1 kickoff.
- Monitor the DC hiring process this week to see who will lead the 2026 defense.
- Look for ticket presales for AT&T Stadium games starting in June.