The 2026 Arizona Cardinals schedule is set, and it is a Sunday afternoon slate from start to finish. Arizona plays 17 games, nine of them at State Farm Stadium, takes its bye in Week 14 and has no primetime kickoffs as currently assigned. Below you will find every date, kickoff time in Eastern Time and TV channel, plus a free printable PDF for the fridge or the office wall.
- Season opener: Sunday, September 13 at the Chargers, 4:25 PM ET on CBS
- Home opener: Sunday, September 20 vs the Seahawks, 4:25 PM ET on FOX
- Bye week: Week 14, the weekend of Sunday, December 13
- Finale: Week 18 vs the 49ers at home, Saturday January 9 or Sunday January 10, 2027
- Head coach: Mike LaFleur, first season
- Home venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Free Printable 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule PDF
The printable Cardinals schedule fits on one letter size page. It lists every opponent, the kickoff time in ET, the TV channel and a blank column for scores, so you can track the season by hand and see the Week 14 bye at a glance. Print it for a watch party, a classroom wall or a fantasy football draft board.
Download the Printable Cardinals Schedule (PDF)
Save it to your phone or print it once and use it all season.
2026 Cardinals Preseason Schedule
Arizona opens the entire NFL preseason. The Cardinals meet the Panthers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, a fitting pairing with Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly both entering the Class of 2026 alongside Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri.
The Hall of Fame designates Arizona as the home team for that neutral site opener.
| GAME | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOF | Thu, Aug 6 | vs Panthers | 8:00 PM | NBC, Peacock |
| 1 | Thu, Aug 13 | @ Raiders | 8:00 PM | Arizona’s Family |
| 2 | Sat, Aug 22 | vs Cowboys | 10:00 PM | NFL Network, Arizona’s Family |
| 3 | Fri, Aug 28 | @ Packers | 8:00 PM | Arizona’s Family |
The August 22 meeting with the Cowboys is the only preseason game at State Farm Stadium. That 10:00 PM ET kickoff is not a misprint: Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so a 7:00 PM local start in August lands three hours later on the East Coast.
Locally, Cardinals preseason broadcasts air on Arizona’s Family, meaning 3TV and CBS 5 in Phoenix, KOLD News 13 in Tucson, and Arizona’s Family Sports for Northern Arizona, Yuma and Albuquerque.
The trip to face the Raiders and the visit to Lambeau Field to play the Packers round out the exhibition slate.
Full 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule and TV Channels
Every kickoff below is listed in Eastern Time. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so subtract three hours for local Arizona time through November 1 and two hours after that.
| WEEK | DATE | OPPONENT | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Sep 13 | @ Chargers | 4:25 PM | CBS |
| 2 | Sun, Sep 20 | vs Seahawks | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 3 | Sun, Sep 27 | @ 49ers | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | @ Giants | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 5 | Sun, Oct 11 | vs Lions | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 18 | @ Rams | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 25 | vs Broncos | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | @ Cowboys | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 9 | Sun, Nov 8 | @ Seahawks | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 10 | Sun, Nov 15 | vs Rams | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 22 | @ Chiefs | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 12 | Sun, Nov 29 | vs Commanders | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | vs Eagles | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | Bye Week | No game | No game |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 20 | vs Jets | 4:05 PM | FOX |
| 16 | Sun, Dec 27 | @ Saints | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 17 | Sun, Jan 3 | vs Raiders | 4:05 PM | CBS |
| 18 | Jan 9 or 10* | vs 49ers | TBD | TBD |
*Week 18 is unassigned across the league. The NFL sets the date, kickoff time and network after Week 17 finishes, so the Cardinals host San Francisco on either Saturday, January 9 or Sunday, January 10, 2027.
The network split is FOX 10 games, CBS 6 games and one to be assigned. In Phoenix that means 16 of the 17 games are free over the air on KSAZ, FOX 10, and KPHO, CBS 5. League rules require a game to clear on a broadcast station in both teams’ home markets, so a national window means more coverage, not less.
Key Matchups and the Week 14 Bye
The shape of the season is front loaded with travel and back loaded with home dates. Arizona plays six of its first nine on the road, then six of the last eight at State Farm Stadium.
- Week 2, home opener vs Seattle. The Seahawks arrive in Glendale as reigning champions after beating New England in Super Bowl LX, and it is Arizona’s first NFC West game of the year.
- Week 4 at the Giants. The club bills this as the 130th meeting between the franchises, the most the Cardinals have played any opponent.
- Week 8 at Dallas. Arizona is 4 and 0 all time at AT&T Stadium, one of the few road trends running in its favour.
- Weeks 11 to 13. A visit to the Chiefs is followed by home dates with the Commanders and the Eagles, the toughest three week block on the card.
- Week 18 vs San Francisco. A home division finale that the NFL deliberately leaves open, which is exactly the slot flexible scheduling exists for.
The Cardinals bye week lands in Week 14, the weekend of December 13. It is the last bye on the 2026 calendar and Arizona shares it with only one other club, the Cowboys. That means 13 consecutive game weeks from the opener before any break, then four straight to finish.
All six NFC West games are on the schedule: Seattle in Weeks 2 and 9, San Francisco in Weeks 3 and 18, and the Rams in Weeks 6 and 10. Beyond the division, Arizona draws the entire NFC East and the entire AFC West, plus the Lions, Jets and Saints.
No Primetime Games: What That Means for Kickoff Times
Arizona received zero primetime assignments in the 2026 schedule release, no Sunday Night Football, no Monday night and no Thursday night. Every game from Week 1 through Week 17 sits in a Sunday afternoon window: four at 1:00 PM ET, seven at 4:05 PM and five at 4:25 PM.
That count is not permanent. Under the league’s 2026 rules, Sunday night flexing can be used twice between Weeks 5 and 10 and in any week from 11 through 17, Monday night games can be flexed in Weeks 12 to 17, and Thursday night games twice between Weeks 13 and 17. A Cardinals game can still be moved if Arizona is in a meaningful race, so the counts above describe the slate as assigned rather than as it will finish.
The schedule is also rated as one of the hardest in football. Pro Football Focus simulations place Arizona’s slate at the top of the difficulty table. Nine of the 17 games come against teams that reached the 2025 playoffs, and four opponents actually won a playoff game: Seattle, the Rams, San Francisco and Denver, accounting for seven of the 17 dates. The lack of night games points at the same starting position, a 3 and 14 finish in 2025 that included an 0 and 6 record inside the NFC West.
How to Watch Cardinals Games on TV and Streaming
Because the whole slate sits on CBS and FOX, watching the Cardinals in 2026 is cheaper than it is for most teams. Here is what covers what.
| Option | What it covers | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna, over the air | All 16 assigned games on FOX 10 or CBS 5 in Phoenix | Free |
| Paramount+ | The six NFL on CBS games | $8.99 a month, Premium $13.99 |
| Live TV streaming | CBS and FOX via YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo or DirecTV | Roughly $60 to $90 a month |
| NFL+ | Live local and primetime games, phone and tablet only | $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year |
| NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube | Out of market Sunday afternoon games | $240 a year for new subscribers |
| Arizona’s Family | Three preseason games in Arizona | Free |
Three details trip readers up every year. Sling TV does not carry CBS, so it cannot cover the full Arizona slate. NFL+ live game streaming is restricted to phones and tablets and cannot be cast to a television. And NFL Sunday Ticket is for out of market games only, so it does nothing for a viewer in Phoenix who wants the Cardinals; fans living outside Arizona are the ones who need it, and returning YouTube TV members pay more than the new subscriber rate. NFL RedZone stays an add on, around $10 to $15 a month depending on the service, and is bundled into NFL+ Premium.
On radio, Cardinals games air in English on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, KMVP, with affiliates around the state, and in Spanish on Fuego 106.7 FM, KFUE, in the Phoenix market.
What Changed in Arizona for 2026
This is a genuine reset, not a tweak, and it changes how the schedule reads.
- New head coach. Mike LaFleur arrived from the Rams, where he was offensive coordinator, after Jonathan Gannon was let go in January following a 3 and 14 season and a 15 and 36 record across three years. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis was retained, with former Steelers coordinator Teryl Austin joining as senior defensive assistant after Arizona allowed 488 points in 2025, the most in a season in franchise history.
- A new quarterback room. Kyler Murray was released in March after seven seasons and signed with the Vikings. Jacoby Brissett agreed to a reworked one year deal on July 26 worth $15.5 million, up to $21 million with incentives, and moved into first team reps two days later. LaFleur has said the plan is for Brissett to start Week 1 without formally naming him, with Gardner Minshew II second and rookie Carson Beck third.
- Two premium picks on offence. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love went third overall after 1,652 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns in a Doak Walker Award season, joining James Conner and Trey Benson in a crowded backfield. Beck followed at No. 65, the first pick of round three, out of Miami.
- Familiar targets, new roles. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson are being deployed differently in LaFleur’s system, while edge rusher Josh Sweat, signed away from Philadelphia in 2025 and listed at outside linebacker, anchors the pass rush.
FAQ: 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule
When does the 2026 Arizona Cardinals season start?
The Cardinals open the entire NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game against the Panthers on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. Their regular season begins Sunday, September 13 at the Los Angeles Chargers at 4:25 PM ET on CBS.
When is the Cardinals bye week in 2026?
Arizona has its bye in Week 14, the weekend of Sunday, December 13, 2026. It is the last bye week on the 2026 NFL calendar and the Cardinals share it with only the Dallas Cowboys, so Arizona plays 13 straight game weeks before it and four straight after it.
How many home games do the Cardinals have in 2026?
Nine regular season home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, against the Seahawks, Lions, Broncos, Rams, Commanders, Eagles, Jets, Raiders and 49ers. Their only home preseason game is August 22 against the Cowboys. The Hall of Fame Game is at a neutral site in Canton with Arizona designated as the home team.
Do the Cardinals have any primetime games in 2026?
No. Arizona received zero primetime assignments in the 2026 schedule release. All 17 games are in Sunday afternoon windows, four at 1:00 PM ET, seven at 4:05 PM and five at 4:25 PM, with Week 18 still to be set. Flex scheduling could still move a game: Sunday night flexing runs from Week 5, Monday night from Week 12 and Thursday night from Week 13.
What channel are Cardinals games on in 2026?
FOX carries 10 games and CBS carries 6. The Week 18 game against the 49ers has not been assigned a network yet. In Phoenix that means every assigned game is free over the air on KSAZ, FOX 10, or KPHO, CBS 5. Preseason games air locally on Arizona’s Family, with the Cowboys game also on NFL Network and the Hall of Fame Game on NBC.
Who is the Cardinals head coach in 2026?
Mike LaFleur, in his first season. He was hired from the Los Angeles Rams, where he served as offensive coordinator, after Arizona parted with Jonathan Gannon in January 2026 following a 3 and 14 season and a 15 and 36 record over three years.
Who is the Cardinals starting quarterback in 2026?
Jacoby Brissett is in line to start. He agreed to a reworked one year contract on July 26, 2026 worth $15.5 million and up to $21 million with incentives, and took over first team reps on July 28. Head coach Mike LaFleur has said the plan is for Brissett to start Week 1 without making a formal announcement. Gardner Minshew II is second and rookie third round pick Carson Beck is third. Kyler Murray was released in March and signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
When is the Cardinals Week 18 game and who do they play?
Arizona hosts the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18, on either Saturday, January 9 or Sunday, January 10, 2027. The NFL announces Week 18 dates, kickoff times and networks only after Week 17 concludes.
Where do the Arizona Cardinals play their home games?
State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, a retractable roof venue with a roll out natural grass field that has hosted three Super Bowls. All nine 2026 home games are there.
How can I stream Cardinals games in 2026?
Paramount+ carries the six NFL on CBS games from $8.99 a month. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV carry both CBS and FOX; Sling TV does not carry CBS. NFL+ streams live local and primetime games on phones and tablets only for $6.99 a month or $49.99 a year. NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube covers out of market Sunday afternoon games and starts at $240 a year for new subscribers.
How tough is the 2026 Cardinals schedule?
Pro Football Focus simulations rank Arizona’s slate the most difficult in the NFL. Nine of the 17 games are against 2025 playoff teams, and four opponents won a playoff game last season: the Seahawks, Rams, 49ers and Broncos. Arizona also plays six of its first nine games on the road before closing with six of its last eight at home.
How many Super Bowls have the Cardinals won?
None. Arizona has reached one Super Bowl, losing Super Bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers in February 2009. The franchise’s last league championship came in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals, before the Super Bowl era.
The 2026 Arizona Cardinals schedule asks a lot of a rebuilding roster: a road heavy opening, a division opener against the defending champions and the latest bye week in the league.
The upside for fans is simplicity. Almost every game is on free broadcast television in a Sunday afternoon window, so no subscription is needed to follow the whole year.
Download the printable Cardinals schedule above, mark the Week 14 bye, and check back here as Week 18 and any flexed kickoffs are confirmed.