The Dolphins’ 2026 schedule is here! Check out the anticipated matchups
It’s finally here.
The Miami Dolphins revealed its 2026 schedule on Thursday to much fanfare.
Some of the highlights include a trip to Green Bay where the trio of quarterback Malik Willis, coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan will get to face the Packers, their former team, a matchup against the hometown kid and 2026 first overall pick Fernando Mendoza as well as the return of former coach Mike McDaniel, now the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Below is a deeper dive into the schedule.
The three preseason games are as follows: @ Washington Commanders (Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.), vs. New York Giants (Aug. 22 at 4 p.m.) and vs. Atlanta Falcons (Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.)
Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders (Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m.)
The Dolphins’ season opener pits the 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza against his hometown team. Miami will be the first to see whether college football’s best player this past year can replicate his magic with the lowly Raiders, a team that won just three games in 2025.
Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers (Sept. 20 at 4:25 p.m.)
Hafley’s defensive prowess will get tested early.
And though Kyle Shanahan, Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy still run that show, there’s certainly a host of new faces, including two new receivers in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk.
Also, something to note: All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner will be back after he sustained a season-ending right ankle injury in October.
Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 27 at 1 p.m.)
The last time these two teams faced — the 2024-25 AFC Wild Card — was the fourth-coldest game in NFL history.
Patrick Mahomes’ helmet cracked. The Dolphins played frozen. And a few fans had limbs amputated.
That certainly won’t be the case this time when the Dolphins host the Chiefs. For fans of Mahomes and Travis Kelce, this might be one of the last times this duo takes the field together in South Florida with the star tight end likely retiring sooner rather than later.
Week 4 @ Minnesota Vikings (Oct. 4 at 4:05 p.m.)
Talk about revenge.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who coached the Dolphins from 2019 to 2022, will be able to seek revenge. .
Arguably the best part?
Fans will get to see two of the top defensive minds in Flores and Hafley go after it. You can’t ask for anything better.
Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Oct. 11 at 1 p.m.)
The last time Joe Burrow and Co. came to Hard Rock Stadium, they stomped a mudhole in the Dolphins.
Ja’Marr Chase went for more than 100 yards. Chase Brown scored three total touchdowns. And Burrow tossed four touchdowns in a 45-21 rout on December 21, 2025.
Will 2026 be more of the same or will Hafley, a former defensive backs coach, have his secondary ready for the fight of their life?
Week 6 Bye
Week 7 at New York Jets (Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.)
The Jets had one of the better drafts in 2026.
Some of their pivotal picks include Texas Tech edge David Bailey, Oregon tight end Kenyon Saddiq, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik as well as two Indiana players in wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and D’Angelo Ponds.
What. A. Haul.
Although not the most glamorous matchup on paper, a chance to see if this rookie class can bring Jets national prominence will certainly be worthwhile.
Week 8 vs. New England Patriots (Nov. 1 at 4:25 p.m.)
The Patriots had a whirlwind season in 2025, going from 4-13 the previous year to the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, quick trips to success has its costs as New England got exposed on the national stage.
What the 2026 iteration of the Patriots will look like after rather hectic offseason will make this a must-watch game.
Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions (Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.)
In an alternate reality, coach Dan Campbell, who served held the same capacity in Miami on an interim basis for 12 games in 2015, would be welcoming the Lions into Hard Rock Stadium.
That, of course, is not the case.
Instead, Hafley and the Dolphins will face a Lions team motivated to return to the postseason after missing out in 2025. Another test for Hafley’s defense.
Week 10 at Indianapolis Colts (Nov. 15 at 1 p.m.)
Week 1 of the 2025 season should have been taken as an omen of what’s to come.
And while Daniel Jones, who torched the Dolphins for 272 yards passing and three total touchdowns in 2025, might not suit up amid his recovery from a ruptured Achilles, don’t think that this Colts team can be overlooked. That’s exactly what happened last time and look how that turned out.
Week 11 at Buffalo Bills (Nov. 22 at 1 p.m.)
Remember the feeling of beating the Bills in Week 10 for the first time in what felt like forever?
Well, the Dolphins can potentially build a streak of their own when the two teams face off.
It will be curious to see whether Hafley can replicate what former defensive coordinator Anyhony Weaver’s game plan against one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Josh Allen.
Week 12 vs. Jets (Nov. 29 at 1 p.m.)
A rookie class can grow considerably from Week 7 to Week 12.
Whether the Jets’ heralded group of rookies actually does will be revealed in this matchup.
Week 13 at Denver Broncos (Dec. 6 at 4:05 p.m.)
Revenge has seemingly been the theme of the Dolphins’ schedule.
This time, it’s receiver Jaylen Waddle, who the Dolphins traded in 2026 offseason, who gets a chance to show off how he has grown in Denver.
And while Miami certainly received a haul in exchange for Waddle’s services, there’s nothing worse than seeing a former flame thrive with a new boo. Let him even sniff 100-yards — with rookie cornerback Chris Johnson on him — and that trade starts to become a bit of a head scratcher, especially if the Dolphins’ receiving core has a bad day.
Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears (Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.)
Caleb Williams had some of the best, clutch quarterback play in 2025.
Now in his second year with coach Ben Johnson, the signal-caller will be pushed even further in 2026. This will be another test of Hafley’s secondary as the Bears own one of the league’s better receiving cores.
Week 15 at Green Bay Packers (Dec. 20 at 1 p.m.)
Revenge. Revenge. Revenge.
Can Hafley lead the Dolphins into Lambeau Field and upset his former team? Can Willis prove that maybe he should have started over Jordan Love? Can the Dolphins overcome their “can’t-play-in-the cold” mantra?
All this and more will be answered on the Week 15 edition of Dolphins football.
Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 27 at 1 p.m.)
The fourth and final revenge game features McDaniel’s return to Hard Rock Stadium.
After four years in Miami, the Dolphins relieved McDaniel of his head coaching duties in early January.
He instantly became the hottest OC candidate on the market, eventually taking his talents out west to the Chargers. How his offensive scheme matches up against Hafley’s defense makes this matchup especially intriguing.
Week 17 vs. Bills (Jan. 3, 2027 at 1 p.m.)
The Dolphins will either be going for three in a row or the Bills will begin to build up a streak of their own.
Either way, Bills-Dolphins should always be must-see TV — even if it wasn’t the rivalry it once was.
Week 18 vs. Patriots TBD
For the second consecutive year, the Dolphins will end their season in New England.
Hopefully, this matchup goes a lot better.
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM.
