The Detroit Lions 2026 schedule comes out soon – the evening of Thursday, May 14 – but we already have some hints for what it will look like.
Per a conference call from Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch, for example, we learned the Lions will be playing their international game at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on Sunday, Nov. 15. Detroit is set to face the New England Patriots, New York Giants or Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their first international game since 2015, with the opponent to be revealed on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET.
Something else we now know is the Lions will play the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football for their Week 2 game on Thursday, Sept. 17. That matchup will be the first game played at Highmark Stadium, Buffalo’s new $2.2 billion home.
We know the Lions’ 17 opponents include seven games against 2025 playoff teams.
The full schedule release for all 32 NFL teams will take place on Thursday. Here is what we know so far for the Lions.
Week 2: at Buffalo, Sept. 17
From the Free Press’ Dave Birkett: “A last-place finish in the NFC North last season hasn’t done anything to diminish the Detroit Lions as a primetime draw. The Lions will play the Buffalo Bills in a Week 2 Thursday night game to open Buffalo’s new stadium, Highmark Stadium, on Sept. 17. The game was announced by Prime Video, which airs “Thursday Night Football” all season, via social media. The Lions played five primetime games last season, seven more in the 4:25 p.m. national window – including on Christmas Day – plus their regular Thanksgiving game.”
Week 10: at Munich, Germany vs opponent TBD
From the Free Press’ Dave Birkett: “The Lions are scheduled to play their first international game since 2015 this fall in Munich at FC Bayern Munich Stadium. The game will precede Fox’s regular 1 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. kickoffs.”
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions schedule 2026 rumors and leaks, live updates
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
