The 2026 NFL Playoffs kick off with Wild Card Weekend on January 10-12, featuring six games across three days. The 2026 NFL Wild Card Playoff Bracket will be set after January 4th, 2026. Fourteen teams (seven per conference) qualified, with the No. 1 seed in each conference earning a bye. Matchups, exact times, and TV assignments will be finalized after the regular season concludes, but the structure follows the standard format: higher seeds host, with games spread across networks including an exclusive streaming game.
2026 NFL Wild Card Playoff Bracket
The 2026 NFL Wild Card Playoff bracket takes place on WIld Card Weekend to open the 2026 NFL Playoffs.
Wild Card Weekend typically includes:
- Two games on Saturday (afternoon and evening)
- Three games on Sunday (early afternoon, late afternoon, prime time)
- One game on Monday night
Broadcast partners include CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Prime Video (exclusive for one game).
Wild Card Round Schedule Overview
| Date | Expected Time (ET) | Matchup Structure | TV/Streaming |
| Saturday, Jan. 10 | 4:30 p.m. | No. 7 seed @ No. 2 seed | NBC/Peacock or FOX/Tubi |
| Saturday, Jan. 10 | 8:15 p.m. | No. 6 seed @ No. 3 seed | CBS/Paramount+ or similar |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 5 seed @ No. 4 seed | FOX or CBS |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | 4:30 p.m. | TBD (cross-flex possible) | NBC/Peacock or similar |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | 8:15 p.m. | TBD | Prime Video (exclusive) |
| Monday, Jan. 12 | 8:15 p.m. | TBD | ESPN/ABC |
Note: Exact matchups, times, and channels are TBD pending final seeding and NFL/flex decisions. We’ll update this page as soon as the official schedule is released (we expect it on Sunday, January 4th, 2026).
How the Wild Card Bracket Works
- AFC: No. 7 @ No. 2, No. 6 @ No. 3, No. 5 @ No. 4
- NFC: Same structure
- Winners advance to the Divisional Round (Jan. 17-18), where they face the No. 1 seeds or reseeded opponents.
- The road to Super Bowl LX continues through Conference Championships (Jan. 25) and ends February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.
Download our free printable 2026 NFL Playoff bracket (blank or with projected seeds) to track the action. Perfect for office pools or following along at home.
Check back soon for updates on confirmed seeds, full times, and TV details. For more NFL playoff resources, including divisional previews and Super Bowl info, explore SportsBrackets.net!
