Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Schedule: The Games to Circle on the Fridge

The 2026 NFL schedule dropped Thursday night, and if you've got a Panthers fan in your life, you already know the rest of the year just got organized around 17 Sundays. They've memorized the dates. They've already started arguing about the primetime spots. They've probably texted you about it.

Here's what your Panthers fan will be watching this season — and what that means if you're the one shopping for them.

The games on the fridge

A handful of games per season set the tone for a Panthers fan's whole year. Here are the dates that'll matter most in 2026:

  • Sunday, September 13 — Bears at Panthers (home opener). First Week 1 home opener since 2022. Caleb Williams visits Charlotte. 1 PM ET kickoff.
  • Sunday, October 4 — Lions at Panthers (Sunday Night Football). Panthers in primetime in Week 4. NBC. Bank of America Stadium under the lights.
  • Thursday, late October — Panthers at Packers (Thursday Night Football). Trip to Lambeau in primetime on Amazon. Three primetime games for the Panthers this year.
  • Sunday, November 22 — Ravens at Panthers. Lamar comes to Charlotte. AFC heavyweight in Week 11.
  • Monday, November 30 — Panthers at Buccaneers (Monday Night Football). NFC South rivalry in primetime. ESPN. Mayfield and the Bucs at home for MNF.
  • Sunday, January 3 — Seahawks at Panthers (Week 17). Defending Super Bowl LX champion Seahawks visit Charlotte in the season's penultimate week.

Panthers Fan Cave Gifts

Full 2026 Panthers Schedule

Week-by-week preview links. After each game, the preview becomes a recap with final score and highlights.

Wk Date Opponent Time TV Links
Wk 1 Sept. 13, 2026 vs. Bears 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 2 Sept. 20, 2026 @ Falcons 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 3 Sept. 27, 2026 @ Browns 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 4 Oct. 4, 2026 vs. Lions 8:20 PM ET NBC Preview ›
Wk 6 Oct. 18, 2026 @ Eagles 1:00 PM ET CBS Preview ›
Wk 7 Oct. 25, 2026 vs. Buccaneers 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 8 Oct. 29, 2026 @ Packers 8:15 PM ET Prime Video Preview ›
Wk 9 Nov. 8, 2026 vs. Broncos 1:00 PM ET CBS Preview ›
Wk 10 Nov. 15, 2026 @ Saints 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 11 Nov. 22, 2026 vs. Ravens 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 12 Nov. 30, 2026 @ Buccaneers 8:15 PM ET ESPN Preview ›
Wk 13 Dec. 6, 2026 @ Vikings 4:25 PM ET CBS Preview ›
Wk 14 Dec. 13, 2026 vs. Saints 1:00 PM ET CBS Preview ›
Wk 15 Dec. 20, 2026 vs. Bengals 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 16 TBD @ Steelers TBD TBD Preview ›
Wk 17 Jan. 3, 2027 vs. Seahawks 1:00 PM ET FOX Preview ›
Wk 18 TBD vs. Falcons TBD TBD Preview ›

Why this matters for the gift you're picking

Panthers fans are patient and they are right to be. Bryce Young is figuring it out. They are still in their seats.

When you're shopping for the Panthers fan in your life — your dad, your husband, your father-in-law, your kid, your grandparent — you're not buying them "a sports gift." You're buying them their team. The good news: that makes the gift easy.

Schedule release night is the loudest night of the offseason for a reason. Your fan's whole fall just took shape. Help them celebrate it.

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