The New England Patriots 2026 list of opponents is officially set, and it's shaping up to be one of the most challenging slates in recent memory, with eight opponents who will be making a postseason appearance this winter and plenty of cross-country travel to some of the NFL's loudest stadiums.

New England won the AFC East in 2025, and next year, they'll face five of the other seven division champions. With marquee matchups across the AFC and NFC, the Patriots will play one of the premier schedules in the league and are likely to receive plenty of national television attention as a result.

Another international contest could also be under consideration. The Patriots played in Germany in 2023 and England in 2024.

Here's a closer look at who's coming to Gillette Stadium and where the Patriots will travel next fall.

Home Games

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will host the Bills in a renewed rivalry that figures to be one of the NFL's marquee matchups going forward, pitting Josh Allen against Drake Maye. The Patriots overtook the Bills in the division in 2025, but Buffalo has still reached the playoffs again behind Allen's dynamic playmaking. The road team won both Pats-Bills games in 2025.

Miami Dolphins
Miami could be headed toward a transitional year, at least at quarterback, but their speed and creativity on offense under Mike McDaniel have made them one of the AFC's most dangerous offenses when healthy and clicking. The Patriots swept the Dolphins in 2025 for the first time since 2016.

New York Jets
Like the Dolphins, the Jets will be back on the quarterback market this offseason, but have plenty of draft capital to work with after unloading two star players during the 2025 season. New England also swept the Jets in 2025.

Denver Broncos
Denver will be a must-see home game for New England in 2026. The AFC's top playoff seed is blossoming under second-year quarterback Bo Nix and features a potent defense that has all the right pieces. This will be the first time the Broncos return to New England since an 18-12 Denver win in 2020.

Las Vegas Raiders
The Patriots dropped their season opener to the Raiders in 2025 and Las Vegas went on to win just two more games the entire season. The 2026 Raiders should look a lot different, likely featuring the first overall pick from the 2026 draft. But they also still have, for now, Maxx Crosby, who can wreck a game almost singlehandedly, and Brock Bowers, arguably the best tight end in the NFL.

Green Bay Packers
The Packers will be coming off a playoff season and boast one of the NFC's most balanced rosters, including dangerous pass rusher Micah Parsons, who will be coming off a torn ACL. This will be the first meeting in Foxborough since 2018, and it promises to be a big-time matchup against a very good NFC team with championship aspirations.

Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota took a step back in 2025, missing the playoffs, but Justin Jefferson will always be a draw. The Patriots last faced the Vikings on Thanksgiving in 2022, a 33-26 Minnesota win, and held joint practices with the Vikes this past summer.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were one of only three teams to beat the Patriots in 2025, and they clawed their way into the playoffs with a gutsy win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football. The clock is ticking for Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers defense isn't going anywhere.

Away Games

Buffalo Bills
The Patriots will get their first look at the new Highmark Stadium when they travel to Buffalo in 2026. As always, the Patriots will need to handle Buffalo's home-field advantage and high-powered offense in what is sure to be one of the toughest road venues in the league.

Miami Dolphins
A visit to South Florida is never easy, especially early in the season, though it gave the Patriots fewer problems in Week 2 of 2025. Miami's speed, coupled with the humidity, have historically posed challenges for New England, and this year will be no different no matter what the 2026 Dolphins look like.

New York Jets
The Patriots head to MetLife Stadium for another divisional clash. The Jets should have an influx of young talent as they look to rebuild under head coach Aaron Glenn after a disastrous 2025.

Chicago Bears
The Patriots will travel back to Soldier Field for the second time in three years for a matchup between two breakout division champs from 2025. Chicago's opportunistic defense is dangerous, while playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams and his host of young weapons could make this a classic.

Detroit Lions
Detroit has become one of the NFC's toughest teams, even if they missed the playoffs in 2025. The Lions will reload and still feature a dangerous array of backs, tight ends and receivers who are game changers, along with disruptive defensive players like Brian Branch and Aidan Hutchinson. Could it be Pats-Lions on Thanksgiving perhaps?

Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025 but should be expected to reload and be back in the AFC mix. It will be a true road test for Drake Maye against one of the game's greats, assuming Mahomes bounces right back after tearing his ACL in December. It could be time for Maye-Mahomes Round 1… Ding… Ding…

Los Angeles Chargers
The Patriots head west to face a Chargers team that they'll either have beaten or lost to in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Either way, the Chargers are loaded with talent, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, and next year there's a good chance they'll be far healthier than they are now, especially at offensive tackle. This matchup will continue to grow this budding AFC rivalry.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle secured the NFC West title and the top seed in the NFC in 2025 and should be every bit as dangerous in 2026. With one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, an explosive offense and one of its best defenses, this is another major road challenge for Drake Maye and the Patriots.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags punched their AFC South title on Sunday and are poised for a battle against the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. Trevor Lawrence and company under first-year head coach Liam Coen have been on a tear in the second half of the season and have re-emerged as one of the contenders in the AFC. There's no reason to expect they won't be the same next year. This is another prime matchup in a season loaded with them.