We've known every opponent the Minnesota Vikings will be facing in 2026 since the final snap of the 2025 regular season. But this week, we finally get to find out the dates and times for each of the Vikings' matchups as the NFL will be releasing the 2026 schedule for every team on Thursday at 7 p.m. CST.
Before the reveal of the entire schedule, however, there's typically a slow drip of rumors and leaks in the days leading up to the official release, and that's where we come in.
Down below, you will find every rumor and leak related to Minnesota's 2026 schedule that is posted online during the next few days before the entire slate of games is finalized on Thursday.
So, go right ahead and bookmark this page and check back here for all the updates as they pop up this week.
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 14, 2:05pm CST
- Minnesota Vikings 2026 Opponents
- Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule Rumors
- Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule Leaks
- Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule
Minnesota Vikings 2026 Opponents
Home Opponents
- Chicago Bears (NFC North)
- Detroit Lions (NFC North)
- Green Bay Packers (NFC North)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders
- Indianapolis Colts
Away Opponents
- Chicago Bears (NFC North)
- Detroit Lions (NFC North)
- Green Bay Packers (NFC North)
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule Rumors
Kyler Murray to debut in Minnesota
Assuming he wins the No. 1 quarterback job this summer, Kyler Murray's regular-season debut for the Vikings is rumored to be taking place inside U.S. Bank Stadium for a Week 1 matchup against the rival Green Bay Packers, according to Ozzy on X.
Flurry of Vikings schedule rumors pop up on Thursday
Before the official release of Minnesota's 2026 schedule on Thursday at 7pm CST, several rumors have been shared by multiple accounts on X in the earlier part of the day about when the Vikings will be facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and the second matchups with the Lions and Packers.
Primetime in New England
For their annual Thursday night matchup, the Vikings are rumored to be traveling on the road to face the New England Patriots in a Week 14 contest inside Gillette Stadium, according to Ozzy on X.
Josh Allen showdown under the lights
In a rematch of one of the most thrilling matchups in Minnesota's recent history, the Vikings are rumored to be hosting Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills inside U.S. Bank Stadium for a "Monday Night Football" battle in Week 9, according to VikingzFanPage on X.
Early division contest in the Windy City
According to NFL Nerd on X, Minnesota is rumored to be heading out on the road for a Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears.
Overseas Game for Vikings in 2026?
Two of Minnesota's road opponents next season will be hosting a matchup on international soil, and that group includes the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France, and the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany.
NFL Nerd on X (@NerdingonNFL) has recently posted some unconfirmed rumors about when these games are expected to take place next season.
Week 7: TBD vs. New Orleans (in Paris) - Sunday, October 25th, 8:30 a.m. CST
Week 10: TBD vs. Detroit (Munich) - Sunday, November 15th, 8:30 a.m. CST
Update: The Saints' opponent in Paris has potentially been revealed by Ozzy on X (@OzzyNFL), and it's not the Vikings. Instead, it looks like New Orleans will be hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on French soil next season in a Week 7 matchup.
Update No. 2: Detroit's opponent for their contest in Munich, Germany, has possibly been revealed as well, as Lion King on X (@LionsRoyalty) shared that the New England Patriots are expected to take on the Lions overseas in Week 10 next season.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule Leaks
Vikings to end 2026 season at home
For the second year in a row, Minnesota's last game of the regular season is expected to take place inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings closed out the 2025 campaign on their home field with a win over the Green Bay Packers, and for next season's finale, they will reportedly be hosting the Chicago Bears, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling on Wednesday.
Vikings heading to Mexico
On Wednesday, the NFL officially announced all of next season's international matchups on the 2026 schedule, and included on the slate is a Week 11 "Sunday Night Football matchup in Mexico City, Mexico, between Minnesota and the San Francisco 49ers.
No Bills or Lions in Week 2
An intriguing 2026 matchup that has the Lions traveling to take on the Buffalo Bills has been confirmed to be the Thursday night contest for Week 2.
Detroit and Buffalo are both on Minnesota's list of 2026 opponents, so now we know that the Vikings won't be facing either of these teams in Week 2.
No MNF for Vikings in Week 1
Over the last several years, including 2025, Minnesota has begun its season with a matchup on "Monday Night Football." But that won't be happening for the Vikings in 2026.
Instead, the Denver Broncos will be heading out on the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the first "Monday Night Football" game of the 2026 season.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 Schedule
Week 1: Green Bay Packers*
Week 2: at Chicago Bears*
Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers*
Week 4: Miami Dolphins*
Week 5: at New Orleans Saints*
Week 6: BYE WEEK
Week 7: Indianapolis Colts*
Week 8: at Detroit Lions*
Week 9: Buffalo Bills (Monday Night)*
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers*
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers (SNF - in Mexico City)
Week 12: Atlanta Falcons*
Week 13: Carolina Panthers*
Week 14: at New England Patriots (Thursday Night)*
Week 15: Detroit Lions (Sunday Night)*
Week 16: Washington Commanders*
Week 17: at New York Jets*
Week 18: Chicago Bears
* = Unconfirmed rumor
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