Monday Night Football remains the crown jewel of the NFL weekly calendar, but the 2026 season brings some of the most significant changes to the broadcast schedule in years. From a historic Wednesday season opener to the reported end of Monday night doubleheaders, staying updated requires a clear, reliable guide. Below, you will find the complete 2026 MNF schedule (updated live as matchups are released) and our signature printer-friendly PDF for your home or office. You’ll be able to use the 2026 Monday Night Football schedule (MNF) to follow the games all season long.
The 2026 Monday Night Schedule Difference
The 2026 season is a departure from tradition. Here are the three “quirks” fans need to know for this year’s Monday night slate:
- The Wednesday Ripple Effect: Because the 2026 regular season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, in Seattle, the first Monday Night Football game of the year (September 14) will be the final game of a massive five-day opening weekend.
- No More Doubleheaders: Reports indicate that ESPN and ABC have moved away from the “Doubleheader Monday” format for 2026. Fans can expect a single, high-stakes game each week rather than the staggered starts of previous seasons.
- Flex Scheduling Power: The NFL maintains the right to “flex” games into the Monday night slot between Weeks 12 and 17. This ensures that the season finale on January 4, 2027, features a matchup with major playoff implications.
2026 Monday Night Football Schedule
Note: Kickoff times are traditionally 8:15 PM ET unless otherwise noted.
| WK | DATE | Matchup | TIME (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Sept 14, 2026 | Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 2 | Sept 21, 2026 | New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 3 | Sept 28, 2026 | Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 4 | Oct 5, 2026 | Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 5 | Oct 12, 2026 | Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams | 7:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 6 | Oct 19, 2026 | Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 7 | Oct 26, 2026 | Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 8 | Nov 2, 2026 | Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 9 | Nov 9, 2026 | Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 10 | Nov 16, 2026 | Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 11 | Nov 23, 2026 | Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 12 | Nov 30, 2026 | Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 13 | Dec 7, 2026 | Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 14 | Dec 14, 2026 | Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 15 | Dec 21, 2026 | New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 16 | Dec 28, 2026 | New York Giants at Detroit Lions | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
| 17 | Jan 4, 2027 | Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 PM | ESPN / ABC |
How to Watch Monday Night Football in 2026
In 2026, MNF games are distributed across ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+.
- Cable/Satellite: Most games will be simulcast on both ESPN and ABC.
- Streaming: Fans can stream games via the ESPN app, FuboTV, or YouTube TV.
- The ManningCast: The alternate “ManningCast” broadcast with Peyton and Eli Manning is expected to return for at least 10 games during the 2026 season.
More 2026 NFL Printing & Schedule Resources
Don’t miss a single snap of the 2026 season. Browse our full collection of printer-friendly NFL assets:
- 2026 NFL Printable Schedules (All 32 Teams) – Our master hub with individual team PDFs sorted by division.
- 2026 NFL Full Season Schedule Grid – Every game of the 18-week season on a single-page master layout.
- 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule – Complete matchups and TV times for every August exhibition game.
- 2027 NFL Playoff Bracket – Start tracking the road to the Super Bowl with our updated postseason predictor.
- 2026 NFL International Games Tracker – Dates and kickoff times for the London, Munich, Mexico City, and Rio games.
2026 MNF Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Monday Night Football game in Week 18? No. To ensure competitive fairness and adequate rest for the playoffs, the NFL does not schedule a Monday night game for the final week of the regular season.
When are MNF games flexed? The NFL can begin flexing Monday night games in Week 12. Decisions are typically made 12 days in advance to allow fans to adjust travel plans.
Why are these schedules called “Low-Ink”? We remove heavy color gradients and large image blocks from our PDFs. This allows you to print the full season using a fraction of the ink required by official league graphics.
