The 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule begins with the NFL Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio — one of only two teams in the entire league to play four preseason games — before a 17-game regular season that features NFC West division battles with Seattle, San Francisco, and the LA Rams twice each, plus marquee home games against Detroit, Denver, the LA Rams, Washington, Philadelphia, New York Jets, and Las Vegas. State Farm Stadium hosts a deep home slate while the road schedule sends Arizona to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Dallas.
2026 Arizona Cardinals Preseason Schedule
Arizona plays four preseason games — an unusual total driven by the Hall of Fame game designation alongside Carolina.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 6 | vs Carolina Panthers (HOF Game) | Tom Benson HOF Stadium, Canton, OH | 8:00 pm | NBC/Peacock |
| Thu, Aug 13 | at Las Vegas Raiders | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 8:00 pm | ESPN App |
| Sat, Aug 22 | vs Dallas Cowboys | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 10:00 pm | NFLN/Local |
| Fri, Aug 28 | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:00 pm | Local |
The Hall of Fame game on August 6 in Canton on NBC/Peacock gives Arizona the same national prime-time opening as Carolina — maximum early exposure for both organizations before any other NFL team has played an exhibition game. The 10:00 pm ET home preseason game against Dallas on August 22 — 7:00 pm local time in Arizona — is a late Friday night start that reflects the desert’s preference for evening kickoffs.
2026 Arizona Cardinals Regular Season Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Sep 13 | at LA Chargers | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 4:25 pm | CBS |
| Sun, Sep 20 | vs Seattle Seahawks | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:25 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Sep 27 | at San Francisco 49ers | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 4:05 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Oct 4 | at New York Giants | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ | 1:00 pm | CBS |
| Sun, Oct 11 | vs Detroit Lions | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:25 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Oct 18 | at LA Rams | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 4:05 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Oct 25 | vs Denver Broncos | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:05 pm | CBS |
| Sun, Nov 1 | at Dallas Cowboys | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX | 1:00 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Nov 8 | at Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | 4:25 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Nov 15 | vs LA Rams | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:05 pm | CBS |
| Sun, Nov 22 | at Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO | 1:00 pm | CBS |
| Sun, Nov 29 | vs Washington Commanders | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:25 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Dec 6 | vs Philadelphia Eagles | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:05 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Dec 13 | BYE | — | — | — |
| Sun, Dec 20 | vs New York Jets | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:05 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Dec 27 | at New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA | 1:00 pm | FOX |
| Sun, Jan 3 | vs Las Vegas Raiders | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | 4:05 pm | CBS |
| Sat/Sun, Jan 9/10 | vs San Francisco 49ers | State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ | TBA | TBA |
MORE: 2026 NFL Schedule Every Week, Date, and Kickoff Time
Key Games on the 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule
The Hall of Fame Game: Arizona vs Carolina in Canton
Arizona joins Carolina as the only two teams in the NFL with four preseason games in 2026, thanks to their selection for the Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on August 6 at 8:00 pm ET on NBC/Peacock. This is the NFL’s official preseason opener — a nationally televised event that puts Arizona in the spotlight before any other team takes the field. The Cardinals gain maximum early-season national exposure, but also carry the wear of an extra preseason game into training camp evaluations.
Opening on the Road in Los Angeles
The regular season opens September 13 at SoFi Stadium against the LA Chargers at 4:25 pm ET on CBS. An NFC/AFC cross-conference road opener in a modern NFL venue against a credible West Coast opponent sets the tone immediately. Arizona needs to establish competitiveness in a building that will be heavily populated with Chargers fans for a Sunday afternoon kickoff.
NFC West Division Games Dominate the Schedule
The 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule is built around the NFC West gauntlet. Seattle visits State Farm Stadium on September 20, then Arizona travels to Lumen Field on November 8 — both legs of the NFC West rivalry in prime afternoon windows. San Francisco appears twice — road trip to Levi’s Stadium on September 27, then a home regular season finale on January 9 or 10. The LA Rams appear twice — road trip to SoFi Stadium on October 18, then home at State Farm Stadium on November 15.
Six division games. In the NFC West, every one of them matters from Week 1 through the finale.
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers 2026 — Twice
The Cardinals face San Francisco away in Week 3 at Levi’s Stadium on September 27, then close the regular season at home against the 49ers on January 9 or 10. The regular season finale at State Farm Stadium against San Francisco could carry significant NFC West and wild-card implications. A home win against the 49ers to close the year would be a meaningful result regardless of where either team stands in the standings.
Detroit at State Farm Stadium in October
The Detroit Lions visit State Farm Stadium on October 11 at 4:25 pm ET on FOX. Detroit is one of the NFC’s established contenders, and this is the marquee home game of Arizona’s first half. An afternoon home game against a nationally relevant NFC program gives the Cardinals a genuine opportunity to demonstrate competitive ability in front of the State Farm Stadium crowd.
Kansas City on the Road in November
Arizona travels to Arrowhead Stadium on November 22 at 1:00 pm ET on CBS. Playing at Arrowhead is one of the most difficult road assignments in professional football — the crowd noise alone presents communication challenges that teams spend weeks preparing for. A road game in Kansas City in late November is a genuine test of this team’s mental toughness and preparation quality.
Philadelphia at State Farm Stadium in December
The Eagles visit State Farm Stadium on December 6 at 4:05 pm ET on FOX. A late-season home game against one of the NFC’s premier programs gives Arizona a significant résumé opportunity heading into the final stretch. Philadelphia traveling to the desert in December is a favorable scheduling scenario — West Coast teams typically benefit from the travel adjustment disadvantage for visiting East Coast programs.
A December Bye for the Final Push
Arizona’s bye falls on Sunday, December 13 — among the latest bye weeks in the NFL. Arriving after games against Philadelphia and before the New York Jets, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and San Francisco to close the season, the December bye gives the Cardinals a full week to recover and prepare for what amounts to a four-game season-ending sprint.
Arizona Cardinals Home Games 2026
| Game | Date |
|---|---|
| vs Carolina Panthers (HOF Game — Canton) | Thu, Aug 6 |
| vs Dallas Cowboys (Preseason) | Sat, Aug 22 |
| vs Seattle Seahawks | Sun, Sep 20 |
| vs Detroit Lions | Sun, Oct 11 |
| vs Denver Broncos | Sun, Oct 25 |
| vs LA Rams | Sun, Nov 15 |
| vs Washington Commanders | Sun, Nov 29 |
| vs Philadelphia Eagles | Sun, Dec 6 |
| vs New York Jets | Sun, Dec 20 |
| vs Las Vegas Raiders | Sun, Jan 3 |
| vs San Francisco 49ers | Sat/Sun, Jan 9/10 |
Eight regular season home games at State Farm Stadium plus the HOF game in Canton counted separately. Nearly every home kickoff falls in the 4:00 pm ET window — consistent with Arizona’s late-afternoon scheduling preference as a West Coast-adjacent market.
Arizona Cardinals Bye Week 2026
The bye falls on Sunday, December 13 — one of the latest bye weeks in the league. Arriving after the Philadelphia home game and before a four-game closing stretch against the Jets, Saints, Raiders, and 49ers, the December bye gives Arizona a crucial week to recover physically heading into the season’s most important stretch.
A late-December bye is a double-edged situation — the rest is valuable, but the schedule is unforgiving when it returns.
FAQ
Q: When do the Arizona Cardinals open the 2026 regular season?
A: The 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule regular season opens Sunday, September 13, with Arizona traveling to SoFi Stadium to face the LA Chargers at 4:25 pm ET on CBS.
Q: What are the Arizona Cardinals home games in 2026?
A: Arizona Cardinals home games 2026 at State Farm Stadium include Seattle (Sep 20), Detroit (Oct 11), Denver (Oct 25), LA Rams (Nov 15), Washington (Nov 29), Philadelphia (Dec 6), New York Jets (Dec 20), Las Vegas (Jan 3), and San Francisco (Jan 9/10).
Q: When do the Arizona Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers in 2026?
A: Arizona travels to Levi’s Stadium on September 27, then hosts San Francisco at State Farm Stadium in the regular season finale on January 9 or 10.
Q: When is the Arizona Cardinals bye week in 2026?
A: The bye week on the 2026 Arizona Cardinals Schedule falls on Sunday, December 13 — one of the latest byes in the NFL.
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