Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2026 NFL season as defending champions, and the league has made sure the schedule reflects that status. The Birds will open at home on Sunday, September 13, hosting the Washington Commanders in a Week 1 divisional showdown at Lincoln Financial Field. It is a statement opener — a rematch of the NFC Championship with playoff implications already baked in from the first snap. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. Eastern.
This marks only the second time since the Nick Sirianni era began in 2021 that the Eagles will be starting a season inside their own stadium. For context, the team had previously opened on the road in Atlanta, Detroit, and New England before neutral-site and away starts became the norm. Starting at The Linc gives the Eagles a significant early-season advantage, with a packed home crowd behind them on day one.
The rematch with Washington does not stop there. The two teams will meet again in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football, with the Eagles traveling to Landover, Maryland on November 1 at 8:15 p.m. on NBC. That second meeting could easily carry NFC East division-title stakes, making it one of the more anticipated games on the calendar.
A Trip Across the Atlantic
In Week 5, on Sunday, October 11, the Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in London at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network. It will be Philadelphia’s third international game, following victories in São Paulo, Brazil in 2024 and London in 2018. The early kickoff will be a test for fans stateside who want to watch live, but Eagles supporters across the UK and Europe will have the chance to see the reigning champions in person. The international slate this season is historic — a record nine games will be played across four continents, including first-ever stops in Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Melbourne.
Thanksgiving in Dallas
One of the most talked-about games on the schedule is already confirmed. The Dallas Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, at AT&T Stadium, with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Since 1966, the Cowboys and Eagles have faced off on Thanksgiving just twice — and Philadelphia has won both times, 27-0 in 1989 and 33-10 in 2014. A national audience on one of the biggest sports days of the year adds enormous weight to this fixture.
A Jam-Packed Home Schedule
The Eagles’ home schedule in 2026 includes the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers. That is a diverse mix of opponents ranging from division rivals to playoff-caliber teams from the AFC. Home games against the Cowboys and Steelers, in particular, are likely to sell out quickly and generate strong national interest.
The Eagles are also set to host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, December 19 in Week 15, a game that could have significant playoff seeding implications heading into the final stretch of the season. The December schedule sets the stage for what could be another deep postseason run for a franchise that has now won consistently over multiple years.
What to Watch For
The 2026 Eagles schedule is loaded with storylines. The Commanders matchups bookend the first half of the season with division drama. The London game adds international flair. Thanksgiving in Dallas pits two of the NFL’s most iconic franchises against each other in front of the country. And a packed late-season home schedule could give Philadelphia the home-field advantage it needs to defend its championship.
The full 2026 schedule was set to be revealed Thursday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN and NFL Network, so fans who have been tracking the leaks will soon have the complete picture. For a team with championship expectations, every game on this schedule carries weight — and Philly fans will not need much convincing to get excited.