The NFL released the 2026 schedule on Thursday, May 14, giving Washington Commanders fans in Southern Maryland their first look at the team’s 17-game slate.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Commanders rank 16th in strength of schedule for 2026, slightly more difficult than the 14th spot they held in 2025.
The Commanders will play all four teams in the NFC West and AFC South, including two home matchups against the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks. Since the Commanders finished third in the NFC East, they will also play the third-place teams in the NFC South, AFC North and NFC North.
The Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons this season, marking the sixth consecutive time the two teams will play each other. Washington is 4-1 in the previous five matchups dating back to 2021, but the margin of victory has been six points or fewer each time.
The Commanders will host the Cincinnati Bengals in a rematch of the Monday Night Football game the two teams played in 2024. During that game, Jayden Daniels completed 21 of his 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-sealing 27-yard score to Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders will play in an international game for the second straight season and will travel to London this year. The last time Washington played in London came on Oct. 30, 2016, when they played the Bengals in a 27-27 tie at Wembley Stadium.
The Commanders will play each team in the AFC South this season and host the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts. Of the active NFL teams, the Texans are the Commanders’ least common opponent. The two teams have only played six times, the most recent meeting coming in 2022. Washington has not hosted the Texans at home since the 2018 season.
Washington’s best win-loss percentage is against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who they have beaten seven out of eight matchups. Their last loss to the Jaguars came in 2002 on the road, but since then, the Commanders have managed to pull out victories.
As it currently stands, only three of the Commanders’ games will be played outside of the central or eastern time zone. The only exceptions are the road matchups against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers as well as the matchup in London.
The Cardinals are the Commanders’ most common non-division opponent with 128 matchups over the course of the two teams’ histories. Over the last decade, the Commanders have a 4-1 advantage over the Cardinals, with the most recent matchup being a 42-14 blowout victory on the road.
The Commanders’ road matchup against the Tennessee Titans should be something of a homecoming for several players on the roster. Many of them were either drafted or played for the Titans at some point, including Marcus Mariota, Chig Okonkwo, Jeremy McNichols, Van Jefferson and Treylon Burks.
The Commanders will have several tests ahead of them in the 2026 season. Seven of their opponents were in the playoffs last season, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Texans, 49ers and Jaguars as well as the Super Bowl Champions, the Seattle Seahawks. The good news is that Washington will see four of those opponents at home.
The schedule release gives fans in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties their first chance to plan trips to Northwest Stadium or watch games at local sports bars and gatherings. Many Southern Maryland residents follow the Commanders closely, with the team’s training camp in Ashburn drawing fans from the tri-county area each summer. The international game in London adds an extra layer of excitement for fans who may travel or watch early-morning broadcasts.
The full 2026 NFL schedule is available on the league’s website. Local viewing parties and ticket information for Commanders home games will be announced in the coming weeks.
