The 2026 NFL Playoff Schedule will kick off with the Wild Card round on January 10, 2026 and conclude with the NFL Championship game (Super Bowl 2026) on Sunday, February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The NFL playoffs are a single-elimination tournament where the top seven teams from the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference race for the Championship Trophy.
This year, the NFL playoffs promise to be more competitive than ever. Here is everything you need to know about the NFL playoff schedule, including dates, times, TV channels, Results and options for live streaming online.
When do the NFL playoffs start in 2026?
The NFL playoffs start on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
2026 NFL Playoff Games at a Glance:
- Wild-card games: January 10-12
- Divisional games: January 17-18
- Conference championships: January 25
- Super Bowl LX: Sunday, February 08
How many teams make the playoffs?
The top 14 teams will compete. The top-seeded teams of the AFC and NFC conferences will receive a first-round bye and home-field advantage. The lowest remaining seeds will play the number 1 seeds in the second round.
NFL Wild Card playoff games
The NFL Wild Card playoff games will be played from Saturday, January 11, to Monday, January 12. A total of six Wild Card Games will be played, with two games scheduled for Saturday, three for Sunday, and one for Monday.
| Date | Matchup | Start time | Location | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 10 | TBA @ TBA | 4:30 p.m. ET | TBD | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Sat, Jan 10 | TBA @ TBA | 8:00 p.m. ET | TBD | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | TBA @ TBA | 1:00 p.m. ET | TBD | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | TBA @ TBA | 4:30 p.m. ET | TBD | Prime, CBS or FOX |
| Sun, Jan 11 | TBA @ TBA | 8:15 p.m. ET | TBD | NBC/Peacock |
| Mon, Jan 12 | TBA @ TBA | 8:15 p.m. ET | TBD | ESPN/ABC |
NFL Divisional playoff games
The 2026 NFL Divisional playoff games will take place from January 17 to January 18.
| Date | Matchup | Start time | Location | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jan 17 | AFC/NFC: TBA @ TBA | 4:30 p.m. ET | TBD | TBA |
| Sat, Jan 17 | AFC/NFC: TBA @ TBA | 8:15 p.m. ET | TBD | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | AFC/NFC: TBA @ TBA | 3:00 p.m. ET | TBD | TBA |
| Sun, Jan 18 | AFC/NFC: TBA @ TBA | 6:30 p.m. ET | TBD | TBA |
NFL Conference Championship 2026
| Date | Matchup | Start time | Location | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jan 25 | AFC Championship Game: TBA @ TBA | 3:00 p.m. ET | TBD | CBS |
| Sun, Jan 25 | NFC Championship Game: TBA @ TBA | 6:30 p.m. ET | TBD | FOX |
Super Bowl 2026
Super Bowl LX is taking place on Sunday, February 8th, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
| Date | Matchup | Start time (ET) | Location | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Feb 08, 2026 | Super Bowl LX (NFC Champ vs. AFC Champ) | 6:30 pm ET | Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California | NBC |
Do you want to track the current progress of NFL playoff games? Follow and download the Printable bracket here
How to watch the NFL Playoffs Live Stream or on TV?
The 2026 NFL Playoff games will air on CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC and Prime Video. If you have these channels in your cable plan, you can watch the games for free by logging into their apps or websites with your TV provider details.
If you don’t have cable or prefer streaming, services like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV also offer these channels. Keep in mind that this season, Amazon Prime Video will have one playoff game that you can only watch there. So, you’ll need a Prime Video subscription to watch every game.
Some of these streaming services offer free trials. For example, FuboTV offers a 7-day trial and Prime Video gives new users 30 days for free. If you are outside your location use VPN to access your local streaming services.
So there is no option to miss the games. Make sure you’re ready before the playoffs begin so you don’t miss any of the action.
How does the 2026 NFL playoff system work?
The 2026 NFL playoff system is designed to be exciting and competitive, ensuring that the best teams make it to the postseason. Under this system, a total of 14 teams qualify for the playoffs, with seven from each conference (AFC and NFC).
These include the four division winners in each conference and three wild card teams with the best records outside of the division winners. The team with the top record in each conference earns a first-round bye, advancing directly to the Divisional Round.
The remaining teams face off in the Wild Card Round, with the lowest-seeded wild card team playing the division winner with the best record, and so on. The playoffs culminate in the Conference Championships, followed by the Super Bowl, where the AFC and NFC champions face off for the ultimate NFL glory.
This system not only rewards regular-season performance but also adds an element of unpredictability and excitement to the postseason.
NFL Playoffs FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
What is the “playoff bye,” and who gets it?
The “playoff bye” gives the top-seeded team in each NFL conference a week off. These teams skip the Wild Card round and go straight to the Divisional round. It helps them rest and prepare for their next game.
Does the NFL reseed in the playoffs?
Yes, the NFL reseeds after each round. The highest-seeded team always plays the lowest-seeded team left in their conference. This keeps matchups balanced and fair.
What is Super Wild Card Weekend?
Super Wild Card Weekend is the first round of the playoffs. It includes six games over three days – Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Division winners face Wild Card teams in this expanded format, which has 14 total playoff teams.
How can I get NFL Playoff tickets in 2026?
You can buy tickets from team websites, Ticketmaster, or trusted platforms like StubHub. Season ticket holders usually get early access. Prices and availability depend on demand and the team’s playoff run.
Can NFL playoff games end in a tie?
No, playoff games can’t end in a tie. Overtime rules make sure there’s a winner. Extra periods are played until one team wins.
How does overtime work in the NFL Playoffs?
In playoff overtime, each team gets at least one chance to score. If it’s still tied after both teams have had the ball, the game continues with 15-minute periods until someone wins.
What happens if a playoff game is tied after multiple overtimes?
If it’s still tied, the game keeps going with more 15-minute periods. A winner must be decided—playoff games can’t end in a tie.
Do NFL referees change for the playoffs?
Yes, the NFL uses its best referees for playoff games. These officials are chosen based on their performance during the regular season to ensure fair and accurate calls.
How many playoff games are on Prime Video?
Amazon Prime Video streams one Wild Card playoff game.