The Las Vegas Raiders open the 2026 season at Allegiant Stadium hosting the Miami Dolphins. The Raiders are a franchise with talent on the roster and a fan base that brings genuine energy on game days. Las Vegas has the pieces to be competitive in the AFC West, and a strong home opener is exactly the kind of launch point this team needs.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Maxx Crosby | Raiders | One of Raiders's top players heading into Raiders's Week 1 matchup |
| Brock Bowers | Raiders | One of Raiders's top players heading into Raiders's Week 1 matchup |
| Cliff Branch | Raiders | One of Raiders's top players heading into Raiders's Week 1 matchup |
| Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | Key player for Dolphins that the Raiders defense will need to contain |
| Dan Marino | Dolphins | Key player for Dolphins that the Raiders defense will need to contain |
For Raiders fans, Week 1 is always charged with optimism, and Allegiant Stadium is one of the league's great venues to experience that energy. The silver and black need to generate pressure on Tua Tagovailoa early and exploit matchup advantages against Miami's secondary to control the game. A home victory to open the year would be the momentum builder this franchise has been chasing and give the Vegas crowd something to believe in heading into the season.
| Storyline | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Raiders offense, Week 1 debut | First look at how the unit performs under 2026 roster and coaching changes |
| Dolphins defense | The first test for Raiders skill players coming out of the preseason |
| Turnover margin | Week 1 games are often decided by turnovers before teams find their rhythm |
Shop Las Vegas Raiders Fan Cave Plaques
Handmade wood plaques with licensed trading cards. Ready to hang.
The exact card may vary slightly from the one pictured -- you'll always get a genuine licensed card of this player.