Following the release of the Minnesota Vikings schedule for the 2026 campaign on Thursday, we now know who Kyler Murray will be going up against when he makes his debut in purple and gold next season (assuming he wins the QB1 battle over J.J. McCarthy in the summer).
The NFL's schedule-makers certainly didn't disappoint as they have Murray immediately being thrown into one of the league's most intense rivalries when he attempts to help the Vikings open up the 2026 regular season with a win over the hated Green Bay Packers.
Thankfully, Minnesota's Week 1 matchup against the Packers will be played inside the Vikings' home building at U.S. Bank Stadium. Immediately, Murray has a chance to make a great impression on Minnesota fans who are all waiting to see how he performs for their favorite team next season.
Minnesota Vikings schedule for the 2026 season officially released
Below is the Vikings' official schedule for the 2026 season that the team released to the world on Thursday.
2026 Minnesota Vikings Schedule
Opponent | Date/Time | |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 | Green Bay Packers | Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 |
Week 2 | at Chicago Bears | Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 |
Week 3 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 |
Week 4 | Miami Dolphins | Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 |
Week 5 | at New Orleans Saints | Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026 |
Week 6 | BYE WEEK | |
Week 7 | Indianapolis Colts | Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026 |
Week 8 | at Detroit Lions | Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 |
Week 9 | Buffalo Bills (MNF) | Monday, Nov. 9, 2026 |
Week 10 | at Green Bay Packers | Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 |
Week 11 | at San Francisco 49ers (SNF - in Mexico City, Mexico) | Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026 |
Week 12 | Atlanta Falcons | Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026 |
Week 13 | Carolina Panthers | Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026 |
Week 14 | at New England Patriots (TNF) | Thursday, Dec. 10, 2026 |
Week 15 | Detroit Lions (SNF) | Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026 |
Week 16 | Washington Commanders | TBD |
Week 17 | at New York Jets | Sunday, Jan. 3, 2026 |
Week 18 | Chicago Bears | TBD |
The last time we saw the Vikings open at home against the Packers was back in 2022, when Kevin O'Connell made his regular-season debut as Minnesota's head coach.
In that matchup, the Vikings cruised to a 23-7 win over Green Bay and went on to start the 2022 campaign with an impressive 8-1 record. A start like that to the 2026 season for Minnesota would be incredible, especially with Murray still learning O'Connell's offense along the way.
Getting another Week 1 over Green Bay should be a little easier for the Vikings than previously expected, too, since star Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons likely won't be appearing in the matchup as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered last season.
The 2026 opener also has an additional Murray-related storyline, as he will be going up against former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who is now Green Bay's defensive coordinator.
Will Murray get the best of his former head coach and lead the Vikings to a Week 1 win over the Packers next season, or will his debut in purple be spoiled by Minnesota's biggest rival?
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