Mark your calendars, football fans—the NFL schedule release is finally on the horizon. While it might feel like the league is keeping us waiting longer than usual, there's a good reason for the delay. With more channels and streaming platforms than ever competing for games, the NFL is taking extra time after the draft to negotiate who gets which matchups and which games will shine in primetime.

Now that the draft is two weeks behind us, the league is ready to unveil the 2026 season schedule. According to a report from CNBC's @sherman4949, the official release is expected to happen next week, either Wednesday, May 13, or Thursday, May 14. Ahead of the full schedule drop, ESPN and other broadcast partners are expected to announce select games during their Upfront presentations—similar to what they did last year.

For Raiders fans, the opponents have been known since the season finale in early January. But what we'll finally learn next week are the key details that shape the season: exact dates, bye weeks, primetime slots, and potential international games. Whether you're planning game-day outfits or just counting down to kickoff, this is the moment every NFL fan has been waiting for.