If you woke up this morning, checked the calendar for Saturday, January 17, 2026, and started looking for kickoff times for the Silver and Black, you aren't alone. It's playoff season. The air is crisp, the Divisional Round is technically starting today, and the "Death Star"—Allegiant Stadium—is usually the place to be. But here is the cold, hard reality: the Las Vegas Raiders aren't on the field.
In fact, they haven't been on the field for nearly two weeks.
While teams like the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills are currently battling it out at Empower Field at Mile High, the Raiders are already deep into one of the most pivotal offseasons in the franchise’s history. If you're asking where are the raiders playing today, the answer is nowhere. Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up back on January 4th after a narrow 14-12 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. That win was a nice bit of revenge, sure, but it wasn't enough to save a season that ended with the Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Why the Raiders Aren't in the Divisional Round Today
It's been a rough ride. Honestly, looking at the standings, the Raiders finished at the bottom of the AFC West. That’s why you won’t see them in the playoff bracket that features the Seahawks, 49ers, Bears, and Rams this weekend.
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Instead of preparing for a playoff opponent, the front office is currently hunkered down in Henderson, Nevada. They are busy interviewing a long list of head coaching candidates—eight so far, including names like Kevin Stefanski and Ejiro Evero—trying to fix a ship that has drifted off course.
Where the "Raiders" ARE Playing (The College Twist)
Now, if you are a fan of "Raider" brands in general, there is actually a game happening today. It just isn't the NFL version.
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are playing a massive CUSA matchup against Missouri State today at 5:00 p.m. Central. They’ll be at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Also, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders just finished a tough battle against Kansas State in Lubbock.
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But for the Las Vegas faithful? The pads are off. The lockers are cleared.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule and Beyond
Since there’s no game today, most fans are already looking at the 2026 schedule to see when the team will return to Allegiant Stadium. We already know who they will face, even if the exact dates are still a mystery until the NFL's big schedule release in May.
Because the Raiders finished fourth in their division, they have a "last-place" schedule for 2026. This might actually be the silver lining fans are looking for. They’ll host the usual divisional rivals—the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers—but they also get home games against the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.
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The road schedule looks a bit more grueling. They’ve got trips to New Orleans, Cleveland, and a flight out to face the New England Patriots.
Key 2026 Home Opponents:
- Denver Broncos
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tennessee Titans
What the Raiders Are Doing Instead of Playing
Basically, today is a scouting day. With that No. 1 overall pick in their pocket, the Raiders' staff is likely glued to screens watching potential franchise-altering players.
There is a lot of buzz about Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. Since the Raiders are desperate for a long-term solution at quarterback, every move they make right now—from the coaching search to the scouting reports—is more important than a single game in January. They have roughly $90 million in cap space. That's a "fix-it-fast" kind of budget.
Actionable Next Steps for Raiders Fans
Since you can't watch the Raiders play today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season:
- Track the Coaching Search: Follow the official Raiders "Head Coach Tracker." Interviews with candidates like Matt Nagy and Jesse Minter are happening this week, and a decision is expected before the NFL Combine in late February.
- Mark the Calendar for February 23: This is the start of the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Since the Raiders own the first pick, this is essentially their "Super Bowl" this year.
- Check Your Season Ticket Status: If you're planning on catching a game at Allegiant Stadium in 2026, keep an eye on the secondary market now. With the Bills and Rams coming to town, tickets for those specific home games will likely spike the moment the official dates are announced in May.
- Watch the CFP National Championship: Keep an eye on the top-tier college talent playing this Monday. The future of the Raiders' roster is currently playing on Saturdays and Mondays, not Sundays.
The season might be over, but for the Silver and Black, the real work is just starting.