If you just woke up, checked the calendar for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and started looking for a kickoff time, I've got some bad news. There is no game. Honestly, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was the last place they suited up, and that was over a week ago.
The New Orleans Saints finished their 2025-2026 campaign with a 19-17 loss to the Falcons on January 4. That means for anyone asking where is Saints playing today, the answer is nowhere. They aren't on a field; they’re in the front office.
The Playoff Picture Without the Black and Gold
It’s a bit of a bummer for the Who Dat Nation. While teams like the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos are prepping for the Divisional Round this coming weekend, New Orleans is officially in "wait until next year" mode.
They finished the season 6-11. That's not exactly what Kellen Moore had in mind for his first year as head coach. Because of that record, they took fourth place in the NFC South. No playoffs. No wild card. Just a long flight back to Louis Armstrong International and a lot of exit interviews.
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- Last Game: January 4, 2026, at Atlanta Falcons (Loss, 17-19)
- Current Status: Offseason / Post-season elimination
- Next Meaningful Action: NFL Draft (Saints hold the 8th overall pick)
Why the Saints aren't playing in the Divisional Round
You might see the NFL playoffs dominating the news today and get confused. After all, the Divisional Round schedule was just set on Monday. But the Saints didn't make the cut. They had a late-season surge—winning four of their last five games before the Atlanta finale—but the hole they dug early in the season was just too deep.
Chase Young and Cam Jordan both hit double-digit sacks this year. That’s the first time the Saints have had two guys do that since 2013. It’s a bright spot, sure. But defense alone doesn't win a division when you're sitting at 6-11.
Where is Saints playing today? Looking at the 2026 Venue Map
Since they aren't playing today, we can at least look at where they will be playing once the 2026 season kicks off in the fall. The NFL has already finalized the list of opponents based on the 2025 standings.
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Home Games at Caesars Superdome:
You'll see the usual suspects like the Falcons, Panthers, and Bucs. But the 2026 home slate also brings the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and the Las Vegas Raiders to New Orleans. If you’re planning a trip, the Superdome is still the loudest place in the league, even if the 2025 season didn't end with a trophy.
Road Trips for 2026:
The team is slated to travel to some tough environments. They’ve got dates at the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and the New York Giants.
What the team is doing right now
Instead of running drills, the Saints are currently signing players to "reserve/future" contracts. This happened on January 5, right after the season ended. They also just signed wide receiver Damien Alford, a former top pick from the CFL.
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Basically, today is about the "paper" game. General Manager Mickey Loomis is looking at the salary cap—which is always a headache in New Orleans—and trying to figure out how to keep guys like Chris Olave, who was just named a second-team All-Pro despite dealing with a blood clot scare.
Key Dates to Watch Instead of Today's Game
Since there's no game today, mark these on your calendar if you want to follow the team's progress:
- Late January 2026: Keep an eye on the Hall of Fame announcements. Drew Brees is a finalist in his first year of eligibility.
- March 2026: Free agency begins. This is where the roster actually gets built.
- April 2026: The NFL Draft. With the 8th pick, the Saints are in a prime position to grab a franchise-altering player.
- May 2026: The official 2026-2027 schedule release. This is when we’ll know exactly what day and time they finally return to the field.
The buzz around rookie quarterback Tyler Shough is real. He’s a finalist for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his performance in December gave fans a reason to actually look forward to next September. He's even serving as the Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Pygmalion during Mardi Gras. That’s about as "New Orleans" as it gets.
If you’re looking for football to watch right now, you’ll have to wait until Saturday, January 17. That's when the real action restarts with the Bills at the Broncos. For the Saints, the lights at the Superdome are dimmed for the winter.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official Saints team shop at the Superdome (Gate A) if you're in town; it stays open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on weekdays even during the offseason.
- Follow the NFL Draft order updates to see if the Saints' 8th pick moves due to any pre-draft trades.
- Monitor Chris Olave’s recovery news, as his health is the single biggest factor for the 2026 offense.