You're probably staring at a blank screen or a "No Games Scheduled" message on your phone right now. It's that weird, quiet part of January where the adrenaline of the regular season has suddenly evaporated. If you are looking for when is the saints next game, the short answer is: not for a while.
The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their 2025 campaign on January 4, 2026, with a tough 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Because the team finished with a 6-11 record, they missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year. That means no Wild Card weekend, no Divisional rounds, and no February flights to the Super Bowl.
Honestly, it's a bit of a bummer. But even though the pads are packed away, the 2026 machine is already spinning behind the scenes.
The Long Wait for the 2026 Kickoff
We won't see the Black and Gold back on the field for a meaningful game until September 2026. Usually, the NFL kicks off its regular season the first weekend after Labor Day. If history holds, expect the Saints' next real game to land around Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Before that, we'll get the preseason in August. Those games usually start around the second week of the month. They’re mostly for evaluating rookies like Tyler Shough, who actually showed some real spark toward the end of last year, but for die-hard fans, it’s the first taste of football after a long, humid Louisiana summer.
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Who are the Saints playing next?
We don't have the exact dates yet. The NFL is notoriously secretive about the specific calendar, usually dropping the full schedule in a primetime TV event mid-May. However, we do know exactly who the Saints are playing in 2026 because of the league's rotation formula.
Since New Orleans finished fourth in the NFC South, they’ll play a "last-place" schedule. This is actually a huge silver lining. It means they get matched up against other teams that struggled in 2025, giving them a much easier path to a winning record than if they’d won the division.
Home Games at the Caesars Superdome
- Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The usual divisional rivals.
- Green Bay Packers: Expect a sea of cheeseheads invading Poydras Street.
- Minnesota Vikings: A rivalry that still feels spicy after all these years.
- Cleveland Browns: A matchup against the AFC North.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Always a physical, grueling game.
- Arizona Cardinals: One of those fourth-place finisher matchups.
- Las Vegas Raiders: Another game against a team in transition.
Road Games on the 2026 Schedule
- Atlanta, Carolina, Tampa Bay: The away legs of the division slate.
- Baltimore Ravens: A tough trip to face Lamar Jackson (if he’s still healthy and dominant).
- Chicago Bears: Soldier Field in the late fall or winter is never fun.
- Cincinnati Bengals: A homecoming of sorts for all the LSU fans who still track Joe Burrow.
- Detroit Lions: The Lions are a powerhouse now, so this will be a massive test.
- New York Giants: Another fourth-place matchup.
The Tyler Shough Factor
Let's talk about why the next game actually matters. Most people sort of checked out when the Saints were 2-10 last year. It was ugly. But then something happened. Rookie Tyler Shough stepped in, and the team went on a bit of a tear, winning four of their last six.
Kellen Moore, in his first year as head coach, finally seemed to find a rhythm with the kid. They beat the Jets 29-6 and handled the Titans 34-26. Even that final loss to Atlanta was close.
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When the next game finally rolls around in 2026, we aren't looking at a team in total freefall. We’re looking at a young quarterback who has a full offseason to actually learn the playbook. That's a different vibe than we've had since the Drew Brees era ended.
Why 2026 is the Year of the New Coach
There is a fascinating quirk about the Saints' upcoming opponents. According to reporting from local experts like Ross Jackson at Louisiana Sports, the Saints are scheduled to play seven games against teams with brand-new head coaches or offensive playcallers.
Atlanta, Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and the Giants are all expected to have new leadership on the sidelines.
Why does that matter for the next game? Because teams with new coaches are usually "finding themselves" in the first few weeks of the season. If the NFL schedule-makers do the Saints a favor and put these games in September or October, New Orleans could jump out to a 4-0 or 5-1 start while their opponents are still fumbling with their headsets.
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Misconceptions About the Offseason
A lot of fans think nothing happens until training camp. That’s just not true. If you’re waiting for the next game, you should actually be watching these three dates:
- Late February: The NFL Scouting Combine. This is where the Saints will look for protection for Shough. The offensive line was... let's be polite and say "inconsistent" last year.
- Mid-March: Free Agency. The Saints are famously always in "salary cap hell," but Mickey Loomis always finds a way to restructure contracts. Watch for them to target a veteran defensive end.
- Late April: The NFL Draft. With a high-ish pick, they have a chance to grab a true WR2 to take the pressure off Chris Olave.
How to track the schedule release
When the clock hits May, start refreshing the Saints' official social media channels. They usually do a creative video reveal—sometimes it’s a parody of a popular show, sometimes it’s a tour of New Orleans restaurants. That is the moment you can finally book your hotel rooms and flights.
If you’re planning to attend a game at the Caesars Superdome, keep in mind that "Gold" games (divisional rivals) sell out almost instantly. The 2026 opener will likely be one of the most anticipated in years simply because fans want to see if the end-of-2025 win streak was a fluke or a foundation.
Actionable Steps for Saints Fans
Don't just sit around waiting for September. If you want to be ready for when is the saints next game, here is how you should prep:
- Check the compensatory pick announcements in March. The Saints often lose mid-level free agents, which nets them extra draft picks. These picks are the lifeblood of a team trying to get younger and faster.
- Download the Saints app for the schedule alert. The moment the NFL releases the 2026 dates in May, the app will push a notification. This is the only way to beat the bots to single-game tickets.
- Watch the UFL or college spring ball. It sounds nerdy, but the Saints have been digging into the "non-traditional" talent pools lately. Keeping an eye on standout offensive linemen in the spring leagues might give you a preview of a future Saints training camp invite.
- Audit your gear. If you’re still wearing a Michael Thomas jersey, it might be time to upgrade to a Chris Olave or Tyler Shough number before the 2026 season kicks off.
The 2025 season is in the books. It wasn't the prettiest chapter in New Orleans history, but the final few weeks proved there's still a heartbeat in this franchise. The countdown to 2026 has officially begun.