The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on May 15 their full schedule for the 2026 National Football League season, starting with an away game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13 and a home opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 20.
The release of the schedule is significant as it outlines key matchups, primetime games, and opportunities for fans to purchase tickets. The Buccaneers are aiming to regain their position at the top of the NFC South after finishing behind Carolina and Atlanta last year.
According to the announcement, Tampa Bay will begin its campaign with two consecutive games against Ohio teams before returning home for a three-game homestand that includes matchups with Minnesota and Green Bay. The team will play three primetime games: at Dallas on October 8, at Chicago on November 8, and hosting Carolina on Monday Night Football November 30. Their bye week falls in Week Ten (November 15), roughly halfway through the season.
Divisional play starts in Week Seven when Tampa Bay visits Carolina, who are defending division champions after winning a tiebreaker over both Tampa Bay and Atlanta. Notably, both Bucs-Saints games take place in the final four weeks of the regular season. There are still some details pending from the NFL regarding dates and times for late-season contests including those against Atlanta and New Orleans.
This year marks several scheduling milestones: it is only the second time since adopting an enhanced seventeen-game format that all NFC teams host nine home games; this gives Tampa Bay nine contests at Raymond James Stadium. Additionally, this will be just the second time since 1991 that Tampa Bay does not have back-to-back road games during a regular season.
Ticket sales have begun for all home fixtures throughout what promises to be a pivotal campaign as Tampa Bay seeks another playoff run.