Are There Nfl Games Today? What To Know About Preseason Schedule

The 2026 NFL preseason is now in full swing, as all 32 of the NFL's teams have played at least one exhibition contest.

The first week of preseason action saw several notable rookies make their debuts. Chief among them were Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, who each performed well in their extended opportunities to play.

Additionally, Cleveland Browns got a first glimpse at the team's quarterback battle. Deshaun Watson got the start against the Chicago Bears and outplayed Shedeur Sanders to presumably give him an advantage in the competition.

Naturally, football fans will be clamoring for more action, especially with it being a Sunday. However, there still remain a couple of Sundays without NFL action before the 2026 season gets underway.

Here's what to know about the 2026 preseason schedule and whether any teams will be in action on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Are there NFL games today?

No NFL preseason games will be played on Sunday, Aug. 16. All 32 NFL teams have played their preseason Week 1 matchups, and there won't be another one played until Thursday, Aug. 20.

There will be two NFL preseason contests played on Thursday. The Houston Texans will face the Las Vegas Raiders in a game where No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza figures to get a lot of action while the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers will square off later in the evening.

NFL preseason schedule for 2026

Below is a look at the remaining preseason schedule for 2026.

Preseason Week 2

Thursday, Aug. 20

• Houston Texans vs. Las Vegas Raiders, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Los Angeles Chargers vs. San Francisco 49ers, 10 p.m. ET

Friday, Aug. 21

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets, 7 p.m. ET
• Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers, 9 p.m. ET

Saturday, Aug. 22

• Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders, noon ET
• Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
• Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET
• Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
• Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints, 4 p.m. ET
• Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants, 4 p.m. ET
• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Chicago Bears, 7 p.m. ET
• New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:30 p.m. ET
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys, 10 p.m. ET

Sunday, Aug. 23

• Tennessee Titans vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8 p.m. ET, Fox

Preseason Week 3

Thursday, Aug. 27

• Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET
• Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots, 8 p.m. ET, Prime Video
• Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8 p.m. ET
• Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 10 p.m. ET

Friday, Aug. 28

• Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons, 7 p.m. ET
• Carolina Panthers vs. Houston Texans, 7 p.m. ET
• Baltimore Ravens vs. Washington Commanders, 7 p.m. ET
• New York Jets vs. New York Giants, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. ET
• Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints, 8 p.m. ET
• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8 p.m. ET
• Philadelphia Eagles vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8 p.m. ET, CBS
• Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8 p.m. ET
• Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings, 9 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Saturday, Aug. 29

• Indianapolis Colts vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET
• Tennessee Titans vs. Chicago Bears, 6 p.m. ET

When does the NFL season start?

• Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9
• Matchup: Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

The NFL season will begin on a Wednesday in 2026, marking the first time that has happened since 2012. The Seahawks and Patriots are set to face off to start the 2026 NFL season in a Super Bowl 60 rematch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are there NFL games today? What to know about preseason schedule