The Vikings 2026 Opponents Are Largely Set
Because the Minnesota Vikings have a lowly 4-7 record after 12 weeks, fans’ attention has mostly turned to next season, focusing on the draft, free agency, and the quarterback situation. Along the way, the 2026 opponents have taken shape.
The Vikings’ 2026 opponents are largely set, giving an early look at the teams they’ll face as the next season’s schedule picture firms up.
A few tweaks to the opponent ledger are possible, but generally speaking, the team’s 2026 docket is pretty well set.
Vikings’ Opponents in 2026
Start planning your roadtrips.
The Home Docket — 9 Games
Here’s a peek at Minnesota’s home opponents next season, with the caveat that these games won’t be in order until May 2026:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Giants or Washington Commanders
- Tennessee Titans (probably)
Minnesota is on track for a last-place schedule, meaning they’d likely play the Titans and either the Giants or the Commanders, depending on the outcome of the NFC East.
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota will have nine home games in 2026; it’s the NFC’s turn.
The Away Docket — 8 Games
And the road foes:
- Arizona Cardinals (probably)
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Jets
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Assuming the Vikings and Cardinals finish last in their respective divisions, the clubs will meet in Arizona next year.
Minnesota will also notably travel to New England for the first time in eight years.
Silver Lining of a Last Place Schedule
Minnesota hasn’t “enjoyed” a last-place schedule since 2014, Mike Zimmer’s first season in charge. In 2013, Minnesota struggled in the final year of the Christian Ponder experiment, finishing the campaign with a 5-10-1 record.
Every year since 2013, the purple team has avoided last place, a trend that appears to be ending in 2025, barring a six-game win streak to close out the year.
So, the silver lining is that next year’s opponent slate should be pretty damn manageable.
What about France?
Moreover, if you’re a fan of Vikings games overseas, another could be on the docket in 2026.
The New Orleans Saints will play a “home” game in France, and as the Vikings are not shy about European football participation, some think Minnesota will be the Saints’ opponent.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote last week, “The New Orleans Saints are expected to play in the NFL’s first-ever game in France as soon as the 2026 season, their team president said this week. The deal is in the works, with an announcement potentially coming within the next few weeks. The Saints hold marketing rights in France under the NFL’s Global Markets Program.”
“The game, whenever it happens, will be held just north of Paris at the Stade de France, which is the largest stadium in the country. The Vikings are set to play the Saints on the road next season. Assuming the Saints end up as the host of the Paris game and that it happens in 2026, that would make the Vikings one of six logical candidates to be the visiting team.”
Minnesota played two games in Europe this season — in back-to-back weeks. Dublin and London.
Ragatz added, “It wouldn’t be one of New Orleans’ three divisional home games, so that leaves the Vikings, Packers, Browns, Steelers, and two not-yet-determined teams as the options. To be clear, Minnesota’s theoretical involvement is far from likely at this point. The game happening in 2026 isn’t a sure thing yet, and even if it was, the Vikings might only have a 1/6 chance of participating.”
“But it’s at least a possibility, especially since we know the Vikings, as an organization, have shown a real willingness to the NFL to be involved in international games. Only the Jaguars (14) and Dolphins (7) have played in more games outside of the United States than the Vikings’ six. Minnesota has gone 5-1 in those games, including a 5-0 record in London.”
On the whole, the Vikings’ opponents will be finalized after Week 18 — the “probablys” listed above — and the opponent order will be released in May 2026. Minnesota has faced one of the NFL’s toughest schedules in 2025.
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