The calendar has turned to May, and for NFL fans, that means one thing: schedule release season is almost here. The league is expected to drop the full 2026 regular-season schedule next week, and while we won't know exact dates, times, or the order of games until then, we already know who the Las Vegas Raiders will be facing.
Thanks to the NFL's rotating scheduling formula, every team's opponents are determined years in advance based on division placement and predetermined rotation cycles. For the Raiders, the 2026 slate brings a mix of familiar AFC West foes, a tough NFC North crossover, and some intriguing interconference matchups that could define their season.
Let's break down every opponent the Silver and Black will face in 2026 -- both at Allegiant Stadium and on the road.
Home Games: Allegiant Stadium
The Raiders will host eight games in Las Vegas this season, plus one "home" game that could be played internationally (we'll get to that). Here's who's coming to town:
AFC West Rivals (Home & Away)
Kansas City Chiefs - The defending division champs remain the standard in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes and company have owned this rivalry in recent years, but the Raiders have shown flashes of competitiveness. Expect another pair of slugfests.
Los Angeles Chargers - With a new coaching staff and a retooled roster, the Chargers are in transition. But they still have elite talent, and these games are always tightly contested.
Denver Broncos - The Broncos are still searching for consistent quarterback play, but their defense is tough. Home-field advantage could matter here.
NFC North Crossover (Home)
The Raiders draw the NFC North this season, hosting two of the four teams at Allegiant.
Detroit Lions - After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Lions have emerged as one of the NFC's most complete teams. Jared Goff leads a high-powered offense, and their defensive line is disruptive. This is a marquee home game.
Chicago Bears - The Bears are still in rebuild mode, but they have young talent at key positions. A game the Raiders should win, but never take for granted.
Interconference Matchups (Home)
Cleveland Browns - The Browns are always a wild card. If their quarterback play is stable, they can be dangerous. Myles Garrett vs. the Raiders offensive line will be a matchup to watch.
Indianapolis Colts - The Colts are in the midst of their own identity search. A winnable game at home that could swing playoff positioning.
New England Patriots - A true throwback matchup. The Patriots are building something new, but they're always well-coached. This is the kind of game that tests discipline and preparation.
Road Games: Away from Allegiant
The Raiders will take their show on the road for eight games -- plus a potential international trip -- with some of the league's toughest venues on the docket.
AFC West Rivals (Away)
Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Stadium is one of the loudest and most difficult places to play. The Raiders have stolen wins there before, but it always requires near-perfect execution.
Los Angeles Chargers - SoFi Stadium is neutral territory in some ways, but the Chargers have a solid home-field advantage. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair.
Denver Broncos - Mile High altitude always tests conditioning. The Broncos have a strong defense, and the crowd can be a factor in close games.
NFC North Crossover (Away)
Minnesota Vikings - U.S. Bank Stadium is a tough environment, especially if the Vikings are competitive. Their offense is explosive, and their defense is opportunistic.
Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field in late-season weather is a test of mental and physical toughness. The Packers are always capable of a deep run, and the Raiders will need to be at their best.
Interconference Matchups (Away)
Baltimore Ravens - M&T Bank Stadium is one of the league's most intimidating venues. The Ravens are perennial contenders with a strong roster. This is a measuring-stick road game.
Houston Texans - The Texans are building something promising. Playing in Houston, especially early in the season, means dealing with heat and humidity. A tough travel game.
Cincinnati Bengals - Burrow, Chase, and that offense make Paycor Stadium a challenging stop. The Raiders will need to force turnovers and play complementary football to win here.
The International Game
One final note: The Raiders are one of the teams expected to play an international game in 2026, likely in London or Germany. The NFL's International Series has become a staple of the schedule, and the Raiders have participated before. That game could replace one of the home or road slots, depending on where it lands. We'll know more when the schedule is released next week.
What This Schedule Means for the Raiders
Head coach Klint Kubiak is entering his second season at the helm, and general manager John Spytek has remade the roster significantly. The 2026 Raiders look different than the team that took the field a year ago.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins leads a veteran offense that features dynamic running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers, and a revamped receiving corps. The offensive line -- anchored by center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Kolton Miller -- should be a strength. On defense, edge rusher Maxx Crosby continues to be the heart of the unit, joined by new additions like linebacker Quay Walker and cornerback Taron Johnson.
This schedule is demanding, but not daunting. The AFC West remains a gauntlet, and the NFC North crossover means games against the Lions and Vikings will be tough. But the Raiders have enough talent to compete in every matchup.
The key will be consistency. Winning at home against teams like the Colts, Bears, and Patriots is non-negotiable. Stealing a road win or two against the Broncos, Texans, or Bengals could be the difference between a playoff berth and another year of watching from home.
Looking Ahead to Schedule Release
The NFL will release the full 2026 regular-season schedule next week, and we'll finally know the exact order of games, bye weeks, and primetime slots. For now, Raiders fans can start circling dates -- and dreaming of a return to the postseason.
Stay tuned to USA Today for full coverage, analysis, and reaction as soon as the schedule drops. The road to the Super Bowl runs through Allegiant Stadium, and the Silver and Black are ready to run it.
This article is based on reporting from USA Today. The official schedule has not yet been released; opponents listed are determined by the NFL's scheduling formula.
