NFL Playoff Schedule 2026: Dates, Times, TV Channels & Streaming
The 2026 NFL Playoffs kick off on January 10 and run through Super Bowl LX on February 8. This year’s championship game returns to the Bay Area at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Fourteen teams will battle through three rounds of intense competition to reach the Super Bowl. This guide covers everything you need to know about dates, times, TV channels and streaming options for the entire playoff run.
2026 NFL Playoff Key Dates
Mark your calendar with these important playoff dates:
- Wild Card Round: January 10-12, 2026
- Divisional Round: January 17-18, 2026
- Conference Championships: January 25, 2026
- Super Bowl LX: February 8, 2026
The regular season ends on January 3-4 with Week 18 games. Playoff matchups get announced on January 5, 2026.
NFL Playoffs 2026 TV Channels & Broadcasting Rights
Multiple networks share broadcasting rights for the 2026 NFL Playoffs. You can watch games on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC and Amazon Prime Video.
CBS broadcasts one Wild Card game, one Divisional game and the AFC Championship at 3:00 PM ET on January 25.
FOX airs multiple Wild Card and Divisional games plus the NFC Championship at 6:30 PM ET on January 25.
NBC covers several Wild Card and Divisional matchups and televises Super Bowl LX on February 8 at 6:30 PM ET.
ESPN and ABC provide coverage of select Wild Card and Divisional games throughout the playoffs.
Amazon Prime Video streams one exclusive Wild Card game that you can only watch on their platform. You need a Prime subscription to access this game.
Complete NFL Playoff Schedule 2026
Wild Card Round (January 10-12)
Six games take place over three days during Wild Card Weekend. The format spreads games across Saturday, Sunday and Monday to maximize viewership.
| DATE | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jan. 10 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | CBS/NBC/FOX |
| Saturday, Jan. 10 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | CBS/NBC/FOX |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | CBS/FOX/NBC |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | CBS/FOX/NBC |
| Sunday, Jan. 11 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | CBS/FOX/NBC |
| Monday, Jan. 12 | AFC/NFC TBD | TBD | ESPN/ABC/Prime |
Note: Specific matchups, times and TV assignments will be announced on January 5, 2026 after the regular season ends. Games typically start at 1:00 PM, 4:30 PM and 8:00 PM Eastern Time. The Monday night game usually kicks off at 8:00 PM ET.
Divisional Round (January 17-18)
Four games happen during the Divisional Round as the top seeds enter the playoffs. The number one seed from each conference plays at home after getting a first-round bye.
| DATE | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | AFC: Higher Seed vs Lower Seed | TBD | CBS/NBC |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | NFC: Higher Seed vs Lower Seed | TBD | FOX/NBC |
| Sunday, Jan. 18 | AFC: Higher Seed vs Lower Seed | TBD | CBS/NBC |
| Sunday, Jan. 18 | NFC: Higher Seed vs Lower Seed | TBD | FOX/NBC |
Note: The NFL reseeds teams after the Wild Card round. The highest remaining seed always plays the lowest remaining seed. This keeps matchups balanced and fair. The higher-seeded team hosts the game at their home stadium.
Conference Championships (January 25)
Both conference championship games take place on the same Sunday. The winners advance to Super Bowl LX.
| DATE | CONFERENCE | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Jan. 25 | AFC Championship | 3:00 PM | CBS/Paramount+ |
| Sunday, Jan. 25 | NFC Championship | 6:30 PM | FOX |
Note: The higher-seeded team hosts each conference championship at their home stadium. Home field advantage often plays a crucial role in determining who reaches the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LX (February 8)
The biggest game in American sports happens on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
| DATE | MATCHUP | TIME | TV CHANNEL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Feb. 8 | AFC Champ vs NFC Champ | 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT | NBC/Peacock/Telemundo | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA |
Note: Bad Bunny headlines the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show as the first Latin male solo artist to headline. Charlie Puth performs the national anthem around 6:20 PM ET. Levi’s Stadium holds 68,500 fans and previously hosted Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
How the 2026 NFL Playoff System Works
Fourteen teams make the NFL Playoffs each year. Seven teams come from the AFC and seven teams come from the NFC. The two conferences stay separate until Super Bowl LX.
Playoff Format
Each conference sends four division winners to the playoffs. The AFC East, AFC North, AFC South and AFC West champions all qualify. The same applies to the NFC divisions.
Three Wild Card teams from each conference also make the playoffs. These teams have the best records among non-division winners in their conference.
Seeding & Bracket
The NFL seeds teams 1 through 7 based on regular season records. The number one seed has the best record in their conference and receives major advantages.
Only the top seed in each conference gets a first-round bye. This team skips the Wild Card round and rests while other teams play. They automatically advance to the Divisional Round.
Wild Card matchups pit the 2 seed against the 7 seed, the 3 seed against the 6 seed and the 4 seed against the 5 seed. All three games happen at the higher seed’s home stadium.
After the Wild Card round the NFL reseeds the remaining teams. The highest seed left plays the lowest seed left. This continues through each playoff round.
Home Field Advantage
The higher-seeded team hosts every playoff game through the Conference Championships. This rewards teams that performed well during the regular season. Home teams typically win about 60% of playoff games.
Super Bowl LX uses a neutral site selected years in advance. Neither team has home field advantage in the championship game.
Current 2026 NFL Playoff Picture
The playoff race concludes on Sunday, January 5, 2026, as Week 18 determines the final two division champions and the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Twelve teams have secured playoff berths, with two spots remaining in dramatic winner-take-all scenarios.
The Seattle Seahawks clinched the NFC’s top seed at 14-3 with their 13-3 victory over San Francisco on Saturday night, securing home-field advantage and the conference’s only first-round bye. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos (13-3) control their destiny for the No. 1 seed and will claim it with a win over the Chargers on Sunday. The New England Patriots (13-3) can steal the top spot with a win and Denver loss.
Two division titles hang in the balance. The AFC North championship features a winner-take-all Sunday night showdown between Pittsburgh (9-7) and Baltimore (8-8), with the loser eliminated from playoff contention. The NFC South crown depends on Sunday’s Falcons-Saints matchup after Tampa Bay defeated Carolina 16-14 on Saturday. The Buccaneers need New Orleans to beat Atlanta to claim the division, while the Panthers advance if the Falcons win despite Saturday’s loss.
The complete playoff bracket and all Wild Card matchups will be finalized on Sunday, January 5, after all Week 18 games conclude. Wild Card Weekend kicks off Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Note: The playoff picture updates in real-time as Sunday’s games determine final seeding and the last two playoff spots.
How to Stream NFL Playoff Games Live
You don’t need cable to watch every playoff game. Several streaming options give you access to all the networks that broadcast the playoffs.
Official Streaming Platforms
Paramount+ streams all CBS games including Wild Card, Divisional and the AFC Championship. Plans cost $7.99 per month with ads or $12.99 per month ad-free. Annual plans offer better value at $59.99 or $119.99 per year. New subscribers can get their first two months for just $2.99 per month during special promotions. The service offers a 7-day free trial.
Peacock shows all NBC games including multiple playoff matchups and Super Bowl LX. The ad-supported Premium plan costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. Premium Plus runs $13.99 monthly or $139.99 yearly and removes most ads. Students get Peacock for $2.99 per month. Military members and teachers also qualify for discounted rates at $3.99 monthly.
ESPN+ carries ESPN and ABC games throughout the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. The service costs $10.99 per month or $119.99 annually.
Amazon Prime Video has one exclusive Wild Card game. Prime membership costs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually. New users get 30 days free to try the service.
NFL+ lets you stream games on phones and tablets. Premium costs $14.99 monthly or $79.99 for the season.
Cable-Free Options
| SERVICE | NETWORKS | PRICE | FREE TRIAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| FuboTV | CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC | $84.99/month + RSN fees | 5 days |
| YouTube TV | CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC | $82.99/month | 10 days |
| Hulu + Live TV | CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ABC | $82.99/month | 3 days |
| Sling TV | FOX, NBC, ESPN (varies) | $46-$61/month | None |
Note: All streaming services are subject to regional availability and blackout restrictions. FuboTV charges extra regional sports network fees of $12-16 monthly in most markets. YouTube TV raised prices to $82.99 in January 2025. Hulu + Live TV bundles Disney+ and ESPN+ at no extra cost. Sling TV offers the most affordable option with Orange and Blue plans starting at $46 monthly. Free trials let you test services before you commit. Sign up early to take advantage of trial periods during the playoffs.
How to Get NFL Playoffs 2026 Tickets
Super Bowl Tickets
You cannot buy Super Bowl tickets directly from the NFL. The league distributes tickets to all 32 teams. Each team sells tickets to their season ticket holders and local community members.
Ticketmaster serves as the Official Ticketing Partner of the NFL. You can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster or the NFL Ticket Exchange once they become available. All Super Bowl tickets are mobile-only and get delivered to your phone.
On Location is the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL. They sell premium packages that include game tickets, hospitality access and special events. These packages provide VIP experiences but cost significantly more than standard tickets.
Wild Card & Divisional Tickets
Teams sell playoff tickets through their official websites. Season ticket holders get first priority for playoff games. Remaining tickets go on sale to the general public once matchups are set.
Secondary markets like StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek also sell playoff tickets. Prices vary widely based on the matchup, teams involved and seat location.
Pricing Information
Super Bowl tickets typically range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on seat location. Premium seats and club access cost even more.
Wild Card and Divisional round tickets usually cost $100 to $500 for most stadiums. Conference Championship tickets range from $200 to $1,000 or higher.
Prices increase dramatically for popular teams and high-stakes matchups. Purchase early for better pricing and seat selection.
2026 NFL Playoffs FAQs
The playoffs begin on Saturday, January 10, 2026 with the first Wild Card games.
NBC broadcasts Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. You can also stream on Peacock or watch on Telemundo for Spanish coverage.
Fourteen teams make the playoffs. Seven teams come from the AFC and seven from the NFC.
Yes. Services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Paramount+ let you stream all playoff games without cable.
Super Bowl LX kicks off at 6:30 PM Eastern Time (3:30 PM Pacific Time) on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Bad Bunny headlines the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. He becomes the first Latin male solo artist to headline.
Teams are seeded 1-7 in each conference based on regular season records. The top seed gets a first-round bye and home field advantage.
Yes. Playoff games cannot end in a tie. Teams play sudden death overtime until someone scores and wins.
The NFL announces all Wild Card matchups on Sunday, January 5, 2026 after Week 18 ends.