The NFL will play a record nine international games during the 2026 season. The Buffalo Bills will not be part of any of them.
Even before the league officially unveils the full international schedule on Wednesday morning, the Bills were already been mathematically eliminated from playing overseas this year based on the NFL’s previously announced host teams and Buffalo’s finalized list of opponents.
The Bills play only one of the designated international host teams in 2026: the Detroit Lions. But Buffalo hosts Detroit in Orchard Park at the new Highmark Stadium on Thursday Night Football in Week 2, making it impossible for the Bills to be selected as the road team in Germany.
2026 NFL international games schedule
Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers,
Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 4: Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans
Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 9: Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 10: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Why do NFC teams host most international games in 2026?
Because of the NFL’s 17-game regular-season format, the league annually alternates which receives nine home games each season.
The NFC has the extra home game in 2026, which is why most of the international host teams come from the NFC this year.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the lone AFC exception because the franchise voluntarily gives up home games to play in London.
When did the NFL announce the 2026 international games?
The NFL revealed the full international schedule at 9 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 13 during NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” The rest of the regular-season schedule will be announced on Thursday, May 14.
When was the Bills’ last international game?
The Bills’ most recent International Series game was a 25-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 8, 2023 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Buffalo also lost to Jacksonville 34-31 on Oct. 25, 2015 at Wembley Stadium in London.
The Bills previously participated in the Bills Toronto Series from 2008-2013, playing five regular-season and two preseason games at Rogers Centre before the agreement was terminated early.
Buffalo Bills 2026 season opponents
The Bills will host eight regular season games and two preseason game, while playing nine regular-season road games and one away preseason game.
Here are Buffalo’s opponents for the 2026 season.
Home: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings
How to watch the Bills schedule release
The NFL schedule release show will air at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.
The NFL show will air on NFL Network at NFL+. ESPN will have its own broadcast on ESPN2 and the ESPN App.
Buffalo’s full 2026 regular-season schedule will be revealed during the show.
When do 2026 Bills tickets go on sale?
Tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster as soon as the schedule is released and can be purchased on the Bills Ticketmaster page or through the Bills website. SeatGeek and Sports Illustrated Tickets are also official league ticket partners of the NFL Ticket Network.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Buffalo Bills will not play NFL international game during 2026 NFL season
Reporting by Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
