Football is officially back in Atlanta.
The Falcons have kicked off their 2026 preseason, giving fans their first look at this year’s team before the regular season begins in September. Atlanta opened preseason play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Denver Broncos and will now hit the road for its final two exhibition games.
The Falcons’ remaining preseason schedule includes a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, August 22, followed by a Friday night game against the Miami Dolphins on August 28.
2026 Atlanta Falcons Preseason Schedule
- Aug. 14: vs. Denver Broncos — 7 p.m.
- Aug. 22: at Indianapolis Colts — 1 p.m.
- Aug. 28: at Miami Dolphins — 7 p.m.
Once preseason wraps up, Atlanta will open the regular season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 13. The Falcons’ home opener follows one week later against NFC South rival Carolina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Fans will not have to wait long for prime-time football either. Atlanta has three consecutive nationally featured games early in the season, including Thursday Night Football at Green Bay, Monday Night Football against the Saints in New Orleans and a Sunday Night Football home matchup against Baltimore.
Another major highlight comes in November when the Falcons take their show overseas. Atlanta will face the Cincinnati Bengals at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium on November 8 as part of the NFL’s international slate.
Atlanta Falcons 2026 Regular Season Schedule
- Week 1 — Sept. 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers — 1 p.m.
- Week 2 — Sept. 20: vs. Carolina Panthers — 1 p.m.
- Week 3 — Sept. 24: at Green Bay Packers — 8:15 p.m. — Thursday Night Football
- Week 4 — Oct. 5: at New Orleans Saints — 8:15 p.m. — Monday Night Football
- Week 5 — Oct. 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens — 8:20 p.m. — Sunday Night Football
- Week 6 — Oct. 18: vs. Chicago Bears — 1 p.m.
- Week 7 — Oct. 25: vs. San Francisco 49ers — 1 p.m.
- Week 8 — Nov. 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 1 p.m.
- Week 9 — Nov. 8: vs. Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain — 9:30 a.m.
- Week 10 — Nov. 15: vs. Kansas City Chiefs — 1 p.m.
- Week 11: BYE
- Week 12 — Nov. 29: at Minnesota Vikings — 1 p.m.
- Week 13 — Dec. 6: vs. Detroit Lions — 1 p.m.
- Week 14 — Dec. 13: at Cleveland Browns — 1 p.m.
- Week 15 — Dec. 20: at Washington Commanders — 1 p.m.
- Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Date and time TBD
- Week 17 — Jan. 3: vs. New Orleans Saints — 1 p.m.
- Week 18: at Carolina Panthers — Date and time TBD (Atlanta Falcons)
The final stretch could be especially important. Atlanta closes the regular season with three consecutive NFC South matchups against Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Carolina, potentially putting the division race on the line during the final weeks of the year. (Atlanta Falcons)
With preseason officially underway and the regular-season opener less than a month away, Falcons fans can officially start counting down.
Rise Up!
