The Minnesota Vikings 2026′ regular season schedule has been unveiled after a long wait. Check out the slate below.
- Week 1; 9/13/26 – vs. Green Bay Packers (3:25pm CDT)
- Week 2; 9/20/26 – @ Chicago Bears (Noon CDT)
- Week 3; 9/27/26 – @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3:05pm CDT)
- Week 4; 10/04/26 – vs. Miami Dolphins (3:05pm CDT)
- Week 5; 10/11/26 – @ New Orleans Saints (Noon CDT)
- Week 6 – BYE
- Week 7; 10/25/26 – vs. Indianapolis Colts (Noon CDT)
- Week 8; 11/01/26 – @ Detroit Lions (Noon CDT)
- Week 9; 11/09/26 – vs. Buffalo Bills (7:15pm CDT – Monday Night Football)
- Week 10; 11/15/26 – @ Green Bay Packers (Noon CDT)
- Week 11; 11/22/26 – vs. San Francisco 49ers (7:20pm CST – Sunday Night Football)
- Week 12; 11/29/26 – vs. Atlanta Falcons (Noon CST)
- Week 13; 12/06/26 – vs. Carolina Panthers (3:25pm CST)
- Week 14; 12/10/26 – @ New England Patriots (7:15pm CST – Thursday Night Football)
- Week 15; 12/20/26 – vs. Detroit Lions (7:20pm CST – Sunday Night Football)
- Week 16; TBD – vs. Washington Commanders (TBD)
- Week 17; 1/03/27 – @ New York Jets (Noon CST)
- Week 18; TBD – vs. Chicago Bears (TBD)
When it comes to the major annoyance, it comes early in the season.
Vikings Given Another Very Early Bye Week in 2026
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings works from the sideline during the NFL 2025 game between Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Yet again, the Minnesota Vikings were given another early bye-week. In fact, it’s the third-straight season in which Minnesota has their week off come in Week 6. This was pointed out by Jonathan Harrison of Sports Illustrated.
“For the third straight season, the Vikings will have their bye in Week 6. While the bye in each of the past two seasons came after international trips, this year’s early bye splits a trio of what should be considered winnable games for the Vikings.
Following the tough three-week start, Minnesota returns home to take on a Dolphins team projected to be one of the worst in the NFL. After Miami, the Vikings will head back on the road to take on a Saints squad that is expected to improve on a 6-11 season, but is still short of being a real playoff contender. They will then have their bye and return to action in Week 7, taking on a Colts team that could still be without quarterback Daniel Jones. Without Jones last season, the Colts went 0-4.”
The Vikings haven’t won the game immediately after the bye-week since 2023. In the Kevin O’Connell era, they are 2-2 in such games. This year, that game will be at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts.
Minnesota Once Again a “Primetime” Draw in Eyes of NFL
GettyJustin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings participates in warmups prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The NFL made it clear that they view the Minnesota Vikings as a true primetime draw in 2026. The acquisition of Kyler Murray probably pushed that thought through a bit.
However, look outside of the primetime games as well. Less than half of the currently-available slate of games are after the noon-slot on Sunday. The Vikings have 4 late-window kickoffs, and 4 primetime games. They also have 2 games with times not yet decided until later in the season.
The Minnesota Vikings will have more eyes on them than usual this season. Not only because of primetime, but because they are featured heavily in late-window matchups. These slots usually only contain 3 or 4 games at a time.
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