The NFL schedule release is an annual event that gets football fans excited, and 2026 is no exception. As an avid NFL fan, I'm always eager to see what the upcoming season has in store, and this year's release is particularly intriguing. The Las Vegas Raiders, one of the league's most historic franchises, are set to unveil their schedule, and there are several key questions that fans are asking. How do I watch the release? Who are the Raiders' opponents? What is their strength of schedule? And will they play internationally? These are the questions on every Raiders fan's mind, and I'm here to provide some insights and commentary on these topics.
First things first, the Raiders' schedule release will be announced on Thursday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. PT, exclusively on team platforms. This means that fans can tune in to Raiders.com, the Raiders app, and the team's social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube) to catch all the action. A full reveal and analysis of all 32 teams' schedules will then air at 5 p.m. PT on NFL Network, ESPN2, the ESPN App, and NFL+.
As for the Raiders' opponents, the team is slated for eight home games and nine on the road. Their home games include the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Tennessee Titans. On the road, the Raiders will face the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Cleveland Browns. This schedule sets up an interesting season for the Raiders, with a mix of familiar and new opponents.
One thing that immediately stands out is the Raiders' strength of schedule. Based on 2025 opponent win percentage, the Raiders have the seventh-toughest strength of schedule in the league. Their opponents had a combined win percentage of .529, which means that the Raiders will face some tough competition throughout the season. This is particularly interesting given the Raiders' recent struggles, and it will be fascinating to see how they fare against some of the league's top teams.
Another interesting aspect of the Raiders' schedule is the potential for international games. Based on their opponents, there are two options for the Raiders to be the visiting team for international games. They could face the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France, or the San Francisco 49ers in Mexico City, Mexico. This would be a significant development for the Raiders, as it would mark the first time in franchise history that they play an international game. A NFL-record nine international games will be held this year in Rio De Janeiro, Paris, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Madrid, and London, so the Raiders could be part of this historic initiative.
In my opinion, the Raiders' schedule release is an exciting event that will provide fans with a glimpse into the upcoming season. The team's opponents and strength of schedule are intriguing, and the potential for international games adds an extra layer of excitement. As a Raiders fan, I can't wait to see how the team performs against some of the league's top teams and to potentially witness history being made with an international game. So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready for an exciting NFL schedule release!
