After years in the national spotlight, the Miami Dolphins are stepping back from prime time. The NFL's 2026 schedule release confirms a dramatic shift for a franchise in transition—every single one of the Dolphins' games this season will kick off in the afternoon slot. No Sunday night, no Monday night, not even a Thursday night showcase.
This marks a stark contrast from recent seasons, when Miami was consistently treated as a contender and given multiple stand-alone national games. But the winds of change have blown through South Beach. The Dolphins have moved on from the era of general manager Chris Grier, head coach Mike McDaniel, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, ushering in a new leadership trio from Green Bay: Jon-Eric Sullivan, Jeff Hafley, and Malik Willis.
The full 2026 schedule was announced Thursday, and while the opponents have been known for months, the kickoff times and dates paint a clear picture of where the league sees this team right now. Beyond the standard home-and-home series against AFC East rivals, Miami will face the entire AFC West, the NFC North, and three teams that finished in the same divisional spot last season: the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers.
Here's a game-by-game look at the Dolphins' 2026 slate, with all games on Sundays unless noted:
Week 1: at Las Vegas Raiders
Sunday, Sept. 13 | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
The Raiders used the No. 1 overall pick on Miami native Fernando Mendoza, and there's already buzz about whether he or veteran Kirk Cousins will be under center for Week 1. The Dolphins make their first trip to Vegas since 2021, and the storyline writes itself: the hometown kid versus the team that passed on him.
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
Back-to-back Pacific time zone games to open the season make it highly likely the Dolphins will stay on the West Coast for a week of practice between contests. This cross-conference matchup could have been played in Mexico City, but instead, Miami heads to Santa Clara for the third time in seven seasons. The teams have met four times in that span—an unusually frequent occurrence for non-conference foes.
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1 p.m. ET | CBS
After two weeks on the road, the home opener finally arrives. All eyes will be on Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. While this rivalry once carried heavyweight billing, the stakes feel different in 2026 with both teams navigating new identities.