NFL Playoffs Schedule 2026-27: Full Dates, Times, How to watch Wild-Card games to Super Bowl in California
The NFL Playoff Schedule 2026-27 is officially set, with the postseason beginning immediately after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Fourteen teams—seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC—will compete in a single-elimination tournament to determine the league champion. Every game carries win-or-go-home stakes, making the NFL playoffs one of the most exciting events in American sports.
NFL Playoff Schedule Dates 2026-27
Fans can mark these important postseason dates for the NFL Playoff Schedule 2026-27:
- Wild Card Weekend: January 9–11, 2027
- Divisional Round: January 16–18, 2027
- AFC & NFC Championship Games: January 24–25, 2027
- Super Bowl LXI: Sunday, February 14, 2027.
When is the NFL Wild Card Playoff Schedule?
The NFL Playoff Schedule begins with Wild Card Weekend, running from January 9–11, 2027. This opening round features six single-elimination games, with teams seeded No. 2 through No. 7 in both the AFC and NFC battling for a place in the Divisional Round.
The No. 1 seed in each conference receives a first-round bye and does not play during Wild Card Weekend.
Every matchup is a win-or-go-home contest.
When is the NFL Divisional Round Playoff Schedule?
The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoff Schedule is scheduled for January 16–18, 2027. The four winners from Wild Card Weekend are joined by the AFC and NFC’s No. 1 seeds, creating a field of eight teams.
Four games are played across the weekend, with the winners advancing to their respective conference championship games.
When is the NFL Conference Championships Playoff Schedule?
The Conference Championships will take place on January 24–25, 2027, with one game in each conference.
The AFC Championship Game determines the AFC representative, while the NFC Championship Game crowns the NFC champion. The winners earns the right to compete in Super Bowl LXI.
When is the 2027 Super Bowl LXI, Date, Time, Location, Venue, How to watch
The final game on the NFL Playoff Schedule is Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for:
- Date: Sunday, February 14, 2027
- Venue: Sofi Stadium
- Location: Inglewood, California
- Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET
- TV Broadcast: ESPN, ABC
- Stream: ESPMN+
The NFL Playoff Schedule concludes with Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027. The championship game will be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM ET and national television coverage on ESPN.
The AFC Champion and NFC Champion will meet in the NFL’s biggest game of the season with a chance to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy and become NFL champions, bringing the 2026-27 playoffs to an unforgettable finish.
How the NFL Playoff Schedule Works.
The NFL Playoff Schedule follows a single-elimination format featuring 14 teams..
- 7 teams qualify from the AFC.
- 7 teams qualify from the NFC.
- The No. 1 seed in each conference earns a first-round bye.
- Seeds No. 2 through No. 7 compete during Wild Card Weekend.
- Winners advance through the Divisional Round and Conference Championships before reaching Super Bowl LXI.
- Each game is a win-or-go-home matchup, with no second chances once the postseason begins…
NFL Playoff Schedule FAQ
When do the NFL Playoffs 2026-27 start?
The 2026-27 NFL Playoffs begin with Wild Card Weekend from January 9–11, 2027, following the end of the regular season.
When is the 2027 Super Bowl?
Super Bowl LXI will be played on Sunday, February 14, 2027, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 PM ET.
Where is Super Bowl LXI?
Super Bowl LXI will be held at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, one of the NFL’s most iconic championship venues.
How does the NFL playoff format work?
The NFL Playoffs feature 14 teams in a single-elimination tournament, with the No. 1 seed in each conference receiving a first-round bye.
How many teams make the NFL Playoffs?
A total of 14 teams qualify each season—seven from the AFC and seven from the NFC, including division winners and Wild Card teams.
What channel are the NFL Playoffs on?
NFL Playoff games are broadcast on CBS, NBC, Fox, ESPN/ABC, and ESPN+, while Super Bowl LXI will air on Fox.
Who won the most recent Super Bowl?
The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 to capture their second Super Bowl title.
When does NFL Free Agency 2026 begin?
NFL Free Agency opens on March 11, 2026, followed by the 2026 NFL Draft from April 23–25.
What is the NFL playoff seeding format?
The four division winners are seeded 1–4, the three Wild Card teams are seeded 5–7, and the No. 1 seed earns a first-round bye.
When does the 2026 NFL season begin?
The 2026 NFL regular season begins on September 10, 2026, with the playoffs starting on January 9, 2027, after Week 18.
___