The NFL playoffs are an exhilarating culmination of the National Football League’s regular season, featuring the top teams from each conference battling for supremacy and the ultimate goal – a chance to compete in the Super Bowl. The postseason typically begins in January and consists of a series of single-elimination games, adding a heightened sense of urgency and drama to each matchup.
The playoff picture is shaping up, with perennial contenders and rising stars securing their spots among the elite twelve teams. As the Wild Card Round unfolds, the battle-tested squads will face off in do-or-die clashes, aiming to advance to the Divisional Round and inch closer to championship glory. The early rounds of the playoffs often unveil unexpected heroes and highlight the resilience of teams facing adversity.
The Divisional Round will showcase matchups between the survivors of the Wild Card battles and the top-seeded teams that earned byes. These contests are pivotal, as they determine which teams will earn the right to represent their conferences in the Conference Championship games. The intensity of the competition reaches a fever pitch as the stakes escalate, and players summon their best performances on the grand postseason stage.
The Conference Championship games serve as the ultimate proving ground, where the winners punch their tickets to the Super Bowl. As the football world watches, anticipation builds for the clash between the AFC and NFC champions, with the honour of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at stake.
When do the NFL playoffs start in 2026?
The NFL playoffs start on January 10, 2026.
The Wild-card rounds are on January 10-12, 2026.
The divisional playoffs are scheduled for January 17-18, 2024.
The conference championship is on January 25, 2024.
Super Bowl LX will be held on February 8, 2024.
Here’s our complete NFL Playoff TV Schedule for the 2025/2026 season.
| Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 | Time (ET)/TV |
|---|---|
| NFC Wild Card Round Los Angeles Rams 34, Carolina Panthers 31 Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 4:30 pm ET FOX/FOX One |
| NFC Wild Card Round Chicago Bears 31, Green Bay Packers 27 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:00 pm ET Prime Video |
| Sunday, Jan 11, 2026 | Time (ET)/TV |
|---|---|
| AFC Wild Card Round Buffalo Bills 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 24 EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00 pm ET CBS/Paramount+ |
| NFC Wild Card Round San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 19 Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA | 4:30 pm ET FOX/FOX One |
| AFC Wild Card Round New England Patriots 16, LA Chargers 3 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA | 8:00 pm ET NBC/Peacock |
| Monday, Jan 12, 2026 | Time (ET)/TV |
|---|---|
| AFC Wild Card Round Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6 Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA | 8:00 pm ET ESPN/ABC |
| Saturday, Jan 17, 2026 | Time (ET)/TV |
|---|---|
| AFC Divisional Round Denver Broncos 33, Buffalo Bills 30 Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | 4:30 pm ET CBS/Paramount+ |
| NFC Divisional Round Seattle Seahawks 41, San Francisco 49ers 6 Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | 8:15 pm ET FOX/FOX One |
| Sunday, Jan 18, 2026 | Time (ET) / TV |
|---|---|
| AFC Divisional Round New England Patriots 28, Houston Texans 16 Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA | 3:00 pm ET ESPN/ABC |
| NFC Divisional Round Los Angeles Rams 20, Chicago Bears 17 Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | 6:30 pm ET NBC/Peacock |
| Sunday, Jan 25, 2026 | Time (ET) / TV |
|---|---|
| AFC Championship Game New England Patriots 10, Denver Broncos 7 Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO | 3:00 pm ET CBS/Paramount+ |
| NFC Championship Game Seattle Seahawks 31, Los Angeles Rams 27 Lumen Field, Seattle, WA | 6:30 pm ET FOX/FOX One |
| Sunday, Feb 8, 2026 | Time (ET) / TV |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl LX Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | 6:30 pm ET NBC/Peacock |
Here’s What to Expect During the 2026 Super Bowl.
The 2026 Super Bowl promises intense football drama with top NFC and AFC teams facing off for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. Expect star players to shine, a captivating halftime show, and iconic commercials. The game’s tradition, patriotism, and global viewership add to the excitement. The postgame celebration will culminate in the triumphant hoisting of the Lombardi Trophy, marking the pinnacle of the NFL season. Get ready for a memorable Super Bowl experience that transcends sports and captivates millions worldwide. Super Bowl LX is on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The game takes place at the Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.