The 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule opens a brand new era in Orchard Park. Josh Allen and first year head coach Joe Brady christen the new Highmark Stadium, host the first Thanksgiving home game in franchise history, and appear in six primetime windows.
Below you will find every game date, kickoff time in Eastern Time, TV channel, and streaming option, plus a free printable PDF you can keep on your fridge or your phone.
Free Printable Buffalo Bills Schedule PDF
The printable Buffalo Bills schedule puts the full season on one page. Each matchup shows the opponent, date, start time in ET, and TV channel, with room to write in scores and track the AFC East race through Week 18.
Download Printable Bills Schedule PDF
2026 Buffalo Bills Preseason Schedule
Buffalo opens the preseason at home against Carolina on August 15, the first NFL game ever played at the new Highmark Stadium. All three exhibition games air locally on WIVB, Buffalo’s CBS affiliate and the team’s official television broadcast partner, with a Nexstar simulcast reaching Rochester, Syracuse and Erie. NFL Network picks up the final two games nationally.
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sat, Aug 15 | vs Panthers | 1:00 PM | WIVB |
| 2 | Sat, Aug 22 | @ Browns | 1:00 PM | WIVB / NFL Network |
| 3 | Thu, Aug 27 | vs Steelers | 7:00 PM | WIVB / NFL Network |
2026 Buffalo Bills Schedule: Full Regular Season
Here is the complete week by week slate with kickoff times in Eastern Time. Buffalo plays eight home games and nine on the road. Late season Sunday windows in Weeks 13, 14 and 17 are flex eligible, so those times and channels can still change.
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Sep 13 | @ Texans | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 2 | Thu, Sep 17 | vs Lions | 8:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 3 | Sun, Sep 27 | vs Chargers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | vs Patriots | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 5 | Mon, Oct 12 | @ Rams | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 18 | @ Raiders | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 25 | Bye Week | None | None |
| 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | vs Ravens | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 9 | Mon, Nov 9 | @ Vikings | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
| 10 | Sun, Nov 15 | @ Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 22 | vs Dolphins | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 12 | Thu, Nov 26 | vs Chiefs (Thanksgiving) | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | @ Patriots | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | @ Packers | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 15 | Sat, Dec 19 | vs Bears | 8:20 PM | CBS |
| 16 | Fri, Dec 25 | @ Broncos (Christmas) | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| 17 | Sun, Jan 3 | @ Dolphins | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 18 | Jan 9 or 10 | vs Jets | TBD | TBD |
Key Matchups, Bye Week and the New Highmark Stadium
Buffalo moves into the new Highmark Stadium in 2026, a 60,108 seat open air venue built next door to the old building at a cost of 2.1 billion dollars. A 360 degree canopy covers 64 percent of the seating bowl, and the Bills open it in primetime on Thursday, September 17 against the Lions.
The signature date is Thursday, November 26. Buffalo hosts the Chiefs on Thanksgiving night on NBC, the first Thanksgiving home game in franchise history. Christmas brings another first: the Bills play at Denver on Friday, December 25 in the franchise’s first ever Christmas Day game, streaming on Netflix, and it doubles as a rematch of the overtime playoff loss that ended Sean McDermott’s tenure. Other circled dates include a Monday night trip to face the Rams and a Sunday night visit to Lambeau Field to play the Packers.
The bye lands in Week 7 on the weekend of October 25, right after a West Coast swing through Los Angeles and Las Vegas. That Raiders trip is also a reunion with cornerback Taron Johnson, traded to Las Vegas in the offseason. From there the AFC East runs through six division games, including two meetings each with the Patriots, Dolphins and Jets. Seats are sold through the official Bills ticket office and the usual resale marketplaces.
How to Watch the 2026 Buffalo Bills Schedule on TV and Streaming
Most Bills games air on national broadcast television. CBS carries the bulk of the AFC slate, FOX has two cross flexed games, NBC handles Sunday Night Football and the Thanksgiving night game, and ESPN with ABC covers Monday Night Football. Two games are streaming exclusives: the stadium opener against Detroit on Prime Video and the Christmas Day game in Denver on Netflix.
| PLATFORM | GAMES COVERED |
|---|---|
| Prime Video | Thursday Night Football, Week 2 vs Lions |
| Netflix | Christmas Day game at Denver |
| Peacock | NBC games, including Thanksgiving night |
| Paramount+ Premium | CBS games, including Week 15 on Saturday |
| ESPN Unlimited and Disney+ | Monday Night Football in Weeks 5 and 9 |
| NFL+ | Local and primetime games on mobile |
| YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo | CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN live |
You can also watch for free. An HD antenna pulls in local CBS, FOX and NBC broadcasts at no cost across Western New York, WIVB carries the preseason games, and most streaming services offer a free trial you can time around a big matchup.
FAQ: Buffalo Bills 2026 Season
When do the Bills play their first game in 2026?
Buffalo opens the 2026 regular season on Sunday, September 13 at the Houston Texans, kicking off at 1:00 PM ET on CBS. The preseason opener is Saturday, August 15 at home against the Carolina Panthers, the first NFL game ever played at the new Highmark Stadium.
Who is the Bills head coach and quarterback in 2026?
Joe Brady is the new head coach, promoted from offensive coordinator on January 27, 2026 after Sean McDermott was let go. He is the youngest head coach in the NFL. Josh Allen, the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player, returns at quarterback. Pete Carmichael Jr. is the offensive coordinator and Jim Leonhard the defensive coordinator.
Where do the Bills play home games in 2026?
The Bills play at the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The 60,108 seat open air venue was completed in June 2026 at a cost of 2.1 billion dollars, with a 360 degree canopy covering 64 percent of the seating bowl.
What channel are Bills games on in 2026?
Bills games air on CBS, FOX, NBC and ESPN with ABC. The Week 2 game against Detroit streams on Prime Video and the Christmas Day game at Denver streams on Netflix. Preseason games air locally on WIVB, Buffalo’s CBS affiliate, with NFL Network carrying the last two.
When is the Bills bye week in 2026?
Buffalo has its bye in Week 7, on the weekend of October 25, following back to back road games at the Rams and Raiders.
Do the Bills play on Thanksgiving in 2026?
Yes. Buffalo hosts the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, November 26 at 8:20 PM ET on NBC. It is the first Thanksgiving home game in Bills franchise history, although the team has played 11 times on Thanksgiving on the road.
Do the Bills play on Christmas Day in 2026?
Yes. The Bills visit the Denver Broncos on Friday, December 25 at 4:30 PM ET, streaming on Netflix. It is the first Christmas Day game in franchise history and a rematch of the overtime Divisional Round loss in January 2026.
When do the Bills play their AFC East rivals?
The Bills host the Patriots in Week 4 and visit them in Week 13, host the Dolphins in Week 11 and visit them in Week 17, and play the Jets on the road in Week 10 and at home in Week 18.
How many primetime games do the Bills have in 2026?
Six. Buffalo appears on Thursday Night Football in Week 2, Monday Night Football in Weeks 5 and 9, Thanksgiving night in Week 12, Sunday Night Football in Week 14, and a Saturday night game in Week 15.
Have the Bills ever won a Super Bowl?
No. Buffalo has reached the Super Bowl four times, losing XXV, XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII in four consecutive seasons from 1990 through 1993. The team has won two AFL championships, in 1964 and 1965.
Can I watch Bills games for free?
Yes. An HD antenna picks up local CBS, FOX and NBC broadcasts free of charge, and streaming services such as Peacock and Paramount+ offer free trial periods you can time around a key game.
From the new stadium opener under the lights to Thanksgiving night against Kansas City and a Christmas trip to Denver, the 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule gives fans a season worth planning around. Bookmark this page, download the free printable Bills schedule, and check back as the NFL confirms flexible scheduling for the final weeks.
For more, browse the full 2026 NFL schedule and our printable list of NFL teams.