As the 2025 NFL season has concluded, New England Patriots fans are already looking ahead to future matchups following the team’s incredible run to Super Bowl LX. We have the New England Patriots future opponents and schedules here for you. Thanks to the NFL’s fixed scheduling rotation, we know the Patriots’ opponents for upcoming seasons well in advance. The formula ensures each team plays their division rivals twice (home and away), full divisions from the NFC and AFC on a rotating basis, and additional inter-conference games based on the previous year’s standings.
New England Patriots Future Opponents and Schedules
We break down the New England Patriots future opponents and schedules starting with 2026, including clear home/away designations. Opponents are subject to minor changes, but the rotation is locked in.Now, if and when we go to an 18 game season, we’ll come back and add the appropriate game to the given year for you.
| Year | New England Patriots Schedule |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 New England Patriots Schedule |
| 2027 | 2027 New England Patriots Schedule |
| 2028 | 2028 New England Patriots Schedule |
| 2029 | Coming Soon |
| 2030 | Coming Soon |
2026 New England Patriots Opponents & Schedule
As the winners of the AFC East, the Patriots face a first-place schedule in 2026, highlighted by the first-ever regular-season game in Paris, France. Because 2026 is an even-numbered year, the AFC plays 8 home games and 9 road games. You can view the full week-by-week dates and TV networks at our Printable 2026 New England Patriots Schedule hub.
| Home (8 games) | Away (9 games) |
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins |
| New York Jets | New York Jets |
| Denver Broncos | Chicago Bears |
| Las Vegas Raiders | Detroit Lions |
| Green Bay Packers | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Minnesota Vikings | Los Angeles Chargers |
| Baltimore Ravens (Same Place) | Houston Texans (Same Place) |
| Seattle Seahawks (17th Game / Super Bowl Rematch) |
2027 New England Patriots Opponents & Schedule
In 2027, the rotation shifts to the AFC South and NFC East. As an odd-numbered year, the AFC hosts the extra 17th game, giving New England 9 games at Gillette Stadium. You can view the printable 2027 New England schedule here.
| Home (9 games) | Away (8 games) |
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins |
| New York Jets | New York Jets |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Houston Texans |
| Tennessee Titans | Indianapolis Colts |
| Dallas Cowboys | Philadelphia Eagles |
| New York Giants | Washington Commanders |
| AFC North TBD (Same Place) | AFC West TBD (Same Place) |
| NFC South TBD (17th Game) |
2028 New England Patriots Opponents & Schedule
Here are the 2028 New England Patriots opponents & schedule for you.
| Home | Away |
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins |
| New York Jets | New York Jets |
| Baltimore Ravens | Cleveland Browns |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Arizona Cardinals | Los Angeles Rams |
| San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks |
| AFC South TBD | AFC West TBD |
| NFC North TBD |
2029 New England Patriots Opponents & Schedule
In 2029, the cycle resets with the AFC West and the NFC South. The Patriots will host the 17th game against a same-place finisher from the NFC North.
| Home (9 games) | Away (8 games) |
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins |
| New York Jets | New York Jets |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Denver Broncos |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
| Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| AFC South TBD (Same Place) | AFC North TBD (Same Place) |
| NFC North TBD (17th Game) |
2030 New England Patriots Opponents & Schedule
The 2030 season features the AFC South and the NFC North. The Patriots will play 9 games on the road, with the 17th game taking them to face a same-place finisher in the NFC West.
| Home (8 games) | Away (9 games) |
| Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
| Miami Dolphins | Miami Dolphins |
| New York Jets | New York Jets |
| Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Indianapolis Colts | Tennessee Titans |
| Chicago Bears | Green Bay Packers |
| Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings |
| AFC North TBD (Same Place) | AFC West TBD (Same Place) |
| NFC West TBD (17th Game) |
These future opponent lists are based on the official NFL scheduling formula and reliable sources. We’ll update this page as more details (like exact TBD matchups) are confirmed after each season. You can also check out all of the other future NFL schedules here.
Future Patriots Opponents FAQ
How does the NFL determine the Patriots’ future opponents? The schedule is built on a mathematical rotation:
- 6 Games: Home and away against AFC East rivals (Bills, Dolphins, Jets).
- 4 Games: One full AFC division (3-year rotation).
- 4 Games: One full NFC division (4-year rotation).
- 2 Games: Same-place finishers from the other two AFC divisions.
- 1 Game: The “17th Game”—a same-place finisher from a rotating NFC division.
What is the “17th Game” for the Patriots? The 17th game is always an inter-conference matchup against an opponent that finished in the same divisional rank the previous year. For 2026, because the Patriots won the AFC East and the Seahawks won the NFC West, they meet for a Super Bowl LX rematch.
Why are there “TBD” slots in the 2027–2030 lists? These slots are for “Same-Place” finishers. While we know the divisions the Patriots will play, the specific teams depend on where the Patriots and those other divisions’ teams finish in the standings the year prior.
Will the Patriots play more international games? Following the 2026 Paris game, the Patriots remain a top candidate for the NFL’s global expansion. As a flagship franchise, New England is eligible to be selected for future games in London, Germany, or potentially Ireland in the coming years.
