The first big wave of free agency is now long behind us, the draft is gone too. The next step in the NFL all-year-long calendar is the schedule release for the 2026 season. With exciting times ahead, New York Giants fans are ready to know who head coach John Harbaugh will face in his first game with the franchise.

But it may take longer than usual for Giants fans to have that and other answers. Mike North, NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning, recently said that the league could delay the announcement a week or so, via CBS Sports.

“Most fans know full well that the schedule comes out in mid-May now,” North said on the ‘It’s Always Game Day in Buffalo’ podcast. “That’s what we’ve done the last five or six years. That’s sort of our target. Is there any magic to May 12, 13, 14? No. Is there any real downside to [May] 19, 20 or 21? No.”

Last year, the NFL revealed during the draft that the schedule release would happen on May 14. In 2026, though, the NFL has not made any pre-announcements so far.

Extra home game

This year, NFC teams play an extra home game. The Giants know they won’t host any international games, so they will actually have nine games at MetLife Stadium.

It’s still possible that they play overseas, though. Based on the designated home teams for international matchups, it’s realistic for the Giants to face the Detroit Lions in Germany or the Washington Commanders in the United Kingdom. But we’ll only be sure about it whenever the NFL releases the schedule — or at least parts of it.

Giants’ 2026 slate of games

Home games

• Dallas Cowboys
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Commanders
• Arizona Cardinals
• San Francisco 49ers
• New Orleans Saints
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Tennessee Titans
• Cleveland Browns

Away games

• Dallas Cowboys
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Commanders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Seattle Seahawks
• Detroit Lions
• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts