The NFL schedule is starting to leak, and for Arizona Cardinals fans, the big question is: will our team get any primetime love in 2026?
It's no surprise that the league kicked off the schedule release with a Sunday Night Football matchup featuring two NFC East heavyweights—the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. While neither team set the world on fire in 2025 (the Cowboys went 7-9-1, the Giants 4-13), they're both massive draws with huge fanbases. That's a tough comparison for the Cardinals, who often find themselves in the shadows when it comes to national TV slots.
But that doesn't mean we should count Arizona out entirely. So, how many primetime games could the Cardinals actually land in 2026? Let's break down the matchups.
Home Games: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Detroit Lions
Away Games: Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints
There are a few intriguing possibilities. The Cardinals face the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers—both teams have international games scheduled this year, which could open the door for a national broadcast (even if it's not necessarily primetime). That's something to keep an eye on.
Then there's the standard NFC West Thursday Night Football game. But here's the catch: last season, the Cardinals struggled mightily against the division. In their first two divisional games, they lost by a combined four points on last-second field goals. In the other four? They went 0-4, losing by a combined 167-81—that's an average of 41-20. The NFL might think twice before putting that kind of mismatch on a national stage.
Other potential primetime candidates include games against the Raiders, Giants, Saints, and Commanders. The Saints matchup, for example, could be an intriguing Thursday night option—two young teams hoping to make noise early in the season. But would the league risk sending the Cardinals and Saints to Paris for an international game? Only time will tell.
For now, Cardinals fans will have to wait and see. But with a schedule that includes some big-name opponents, there's at least a glimmer of hope for a primetime spotlight in 2026.