Updated
Updated · NFL.com · May 15
NFL Sets 2026 Flex Scheduling for Weeks 16-18, Adding 3 Week 18 Saturday Games
Updated
Updated · NFL.com · May 15

NFL Sets 2026 Flex Scheduling for Weeks 16-18, Adding 3 Week 18 Saturday Games

13 articles · Updated · NFL.com · May 15
  • Three Week 18 games are locked into Saturday windows in 2026—1:00 p.m. ET on Netflix and 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC—while the rest will be assigned after Week 17.
  • Week 16 and Week 17 each have four designated flex matchups, with two moved to Saturday slots and the others eligible for Thursday, Sunday afternoon, Sunday night or Monday night windows.
  • Week 16’s Saturday games will air on NFL Network at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET, while Week 17’s will air at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC and 8:00 p.m. ET on Peacock.
  • The league said final Week 16 assignments will come immediately after Week 14, Week 17 after Week 15, and Week 18 dates, times and networks after the regular season’s penultimate week.
Does the NFL's quest for optimal TV ratings through 'flex scheduling' alienate its most loyal stadium-attending fans?
With an 18-game season on the horizon, can the league expand globally without sacrificing player health and game quality?
As the NFL sells more games to exclusive streaming platforms, are average fans being priced out of the sport?