The NFL world is buzzing after a successful 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh, and teams are now turning their attention to minicamps and training camp. But before the pads start popping, there's one major piece of the puzzle still missing: the full 2026 NFL schedule.

For weeks, fans have been waiting for the official release date, and now we have a concrete window. According to CNBC reporter Alex Sherman, the league is targeting May 13 or May 14 to unveil the complete slate of games. This confirms earlier reports that the schedule would drop sometime in May, though a potential delay had fans on edge.

What caused the holdup? A high-stakes bidding war between Netflix, YouTube, and FOX for a five-game package. The specific matchups in that package are key to both the bidding process and the final schedule, which likely pushed the release back from its typical draft-weekend announcement.

So what got things back on track? The answer might be Aaron Rodgers. Reports indicate the veteran quarterback is expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers as early as this weekend, reuniting with head coach Mike McCarthy. That storyline alone is primed to draw massive broadcast interest, which may have helped grease the wheels for the schedule release.

While we wait for the full 272-game schedule, a few key dates are already locked in. The regular season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks taking the field. Their opponent is still TBD, but the stage is set for a prime-time opener.

Week 1 also features a historic matchup: the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on September 10. It's the NFL's first game Down Under, adding an international flavor to the early-season slate.

Teams already know their opponents—those were finalized after the 2025 regular season—but the big questions remain: Who gets the most primetime slots? Which marquee matchups land on Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football? And how will the Rodgers-Steelers storyline shape the broadcast schedule?

Mark your calendars for May 13 or 14. The wait is almost over, and the 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be one for the ages.