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Tampa Bay Buccaneers release 2026 NFL schedule

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Published  May 14, 2026 8:58pm EDT
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FOX 13 News
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 20: A detailed view of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo on helmets before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 20, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their 2026 schedule, featuring a challenging path as they aim to reclaim the NFC South and return to playoff contention.
    • Tampa Bay opens on the road at Cincinnati, plays a three-game early homestand, and is featured in multiple primetime matchups against teams including Dallas, Chicago and Carolina.
    • The slate includes a midseason bye in Week 10 and a difficult late-season stretch filled with key division games and matchups against playoff-caliber opponents.

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially released their 2026 regular-season schedule, revealing a challenging slate as the team looks to regain control of the NFC South and return to playoff contention.

The schedule features a road-heavy opener, multiple primetime matchups, a midseason bye week, and a late-season division push that could shape the Bucs’ postseason hopes.

Opening on the road 

Tampa Bay will begin its 2026 campaign on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13 (1 p.m. ET, FOX).

The team then returns home for its opener at Raymond James Stadium against the Cleveland Browns on September 20 (1 p.m. ET, CBS), the beginning of a key early stretch that includes a three-game homestand.

Following the Browns matchup, the Buccaneers host the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers in Weeks 3 and 4.

Primetime spotlight 

The Bucs will be featured multiple times in primetime in 2026:

  • Week 5: at the Dallas Cowboys (Thursday Night Football, Amazon)
  • Week 9: at the Chicago Bears (Sunday Night Football, NBC)
  • Week 12: vs. the Carolina Panthers (Monday Night Football, ESPN)

Midseason stretch 

Tampa Bay will have their bye in Week 10.

Leading into that break, Tampa Bay faces a tough stretch that includes road games at Carolina, Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore, plus a "marquee matchup" at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Late-season division battles 

Division play ramps up late, with key matchups against the Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints spread across the final weeks of the season.

The Bucs also close with tough matchups against the Los Angeles Rams and a road finale in New Orleans.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by a press release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization.

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