Members of the Minnesota Vikings protection, together with Harrison Smith, take part in a postgame interview with WWE celebrity Seth Rollins and NFL insider Dianna Russini after defeating the Detroit Lions at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Dec. 25, 2025. The nationally televised Christmas matchup featured a festive environment as Minnesota celebrated the division victory in entrance of the house crowd. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
Per annual custom — and with a so-far impeccable streak of accuracy — VikingsTerritory has the Minnesota Vikings’ schedule hours forward of the official NFL bulletins.
Minnesota’s 2026 path now seems clearer forward of the NFL making the total slate official.
The Vikings notably have 9 true residence video games in 2026, seven true highway video games, and a date in Mexico Metropolis with the San Francisco 49ers.
A Robust November Stretch Will Decide Minnesota’s Season
The leak is right here. The NFL will affirm the video games on Thursday evening.
Minnesota Vikings working again Aaron Jones (33) celebrates after scoring a landing in opposition to the Chicago Bears throughout third-quarter motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Dec. 16, 2024. Jones helped energy Minnesota’s offense in the course of the divisional matchup because the Vikings continued their push by means of the late phases of the common season in opposition to NFC North competitors. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings’ 2026 Schedule
The next will not be ten thousand % ironclad, however we belief our sources sufficient to publish the docket on-line. We’ve executed this yearly — an early schedule launch — since 2020 and have prevented main gaffes. If you happen to’re spending 1000’s of {dollars} on airfare, motels, and whatnot, wait till Thursday evening to press the GO button.
However, right here’s the schedule:
Week 1 — vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers (3 pm)Week 2 — at Chicago BearsWeek 3 — at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 4 — vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 5 — at New Orleans SaintsWeek 6 — ByeWeek 7 — vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 8 — at Detroit LionsWeek 9 — vs. Buffalo Payments (MNF)Week 10 — at Inexperienced Bay PackersWeek 11 — at San Francisco 49ers (SNF)Week 12 — vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 13 — vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 14 — at New England Patriots (TNF)Week 15 — vs. Detroit Lions (SNF)Week 16 — vs. Washington CommandersWeek 17 — at New York JetsWeek 18 — vs. Chicago Bears
Most count on Kyler Murray to steer the Vikings at QB1, and he’ll expertise the franchise’s two fundamental rivalries out of the gate.
The Good Half
Nothing on the schedule may be thought of wholly “easy” — the NFL doesn’t work like that when forecasting six months prematurely — however this portion would be the time to stack wins:
Week 3 — at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 4 — vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 5 — at New Orleans SaintsWeek 6 — ByeWeek 7 — vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Vikings will in all probability break up with the Packers and Bears to get 2026 rolling, after which Kevin O’Connell’s crew should exit Week 7 with a 4-2 report or so to be thought of a contender.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard (16) makes an attempt a discipline purpose whereas punter Ryan Wright (17) holds throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Sep. 21, 2025. Reichard dealt with kicking duties in the course of the early-season matchup as Minnesota battled Cincinnati in entrance of the house crowd on Sunday afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
Thereafter, taking up the Falcons, Panthers, Commanders, and Jets in six weeks isn’t the worst menu on this planet. Minnesota has two true highway video games within the ultimate eight weeks — a perk.
Assassin’s Row
Right here’s the unfriendly half:
Week 8 — at Detroit LionsWeek 9 — vs. Buffalo Payments (MNF)Week 10 — at Inexperienced Bay PackersWeek 11 — at San Francisco 49ers (SNF)
Relying on how Murray acclimates to the Vikings’ offense — or if J.J. McCarthy has discovered his method into the lineup — this four-game stretch could outline Minnesota’s seriousness as a Tremendous Bowl seeker. The Vikings will likely be fortunate to separate this foursome with a 2-2 report, and in the event that they escape the aforementioned “easy” part with a 4-2 report, the membership would sit at 6-4 heading into Thanksgiving.
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on the Mexico City development, “Vikings players will also have to deal with playing inside a venue that is in an area where the altitude is over 7,200 feet, which is more than 1,500 feet higher than the altitude in the ‘Mile High City,’ Denver, Colorado.”
“There will be plenty of challenges for Minnesota, but at least the game will take place at a neutral site and not San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium since the 49ers are technically the home team.”
The opposite vicious half is at Patriots and residential versus the Lions in Week 14 and Week 15. That can decide if Minnesota can dream huge in January, its efficiency in opposition to these foes.
SI.com‘s Tony Liebert on the Patriots showdown: “Week 14 will reportedly feature Minnesota traveling to New England to face the AFC champion Patriots. That would be a Dec. 10 game, and it would mark the FOURTH straight season in which Minnesota has to go on the road to play a very tough opponent on short rest for TNF. The past three seasons have seen the Vikings play on Thursday night, on the road, against the Chargers, Rams, and Eagles.”
Preseason
For full context, these are the Vikings’ exhibition contests in August:
Preseason Recreation 1 — at New York GiantsPreseason Recreation 2 — vs. Baltimore RavensPreseason Recreation 3 — at Denver Broncos
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates with followers following a victory over the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis on Dec. 1, 2024. Cashman acknowledged the house crowd after the sport as Minnesota secured one other necessary win in the course of the ultimate stretch of the common season within the NFC playoff race. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures.
All issues thought of, these video games don’t matter a lot, however the Vikings could play extra starters this go-round because the membership didn’t appear absolutely prepared for the common season final yr (primarily McCarthy because the first-time starter).
Oddsmakers count on Minnesota to complete the 2026 season with an 8-9 or 9-8 report.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
