If you are a Houston Texans fan, the 2026 season is one you will want to plan for from day one. The Houston Texans Football Schedule 2026 is officially live, packed with primetime matchups, a London international game, and a demanding slate of AFC opponents. Whether you want to circle home games on your calendar, prep for tailgates, or save a printable PDF for easy reference all season long, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Houston Texans Football Schedule 2026 — Full Season Overview
The 2026 Texans season is a balanced mix of home-field dominance at NRG Stadium and road trips across the country, capped off with one international game across the Atlantic. All game times are listed in Central Time on the official site. Houston faces six playoff-caliber teams this season, making this one of the more competitive schedules the Texans have faced in recent memory.
Here is the complete Houston Texans 2026 schedule, perfect for building your own printable PDF tracker:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 13 (Thu) — Preseason | vs Los Angeles Chargers | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Aug. 20 (Thu) — Preseason | vs Las Vegas Raiders | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Aug. 28 (Fri) — Preseason | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Sep. 13 (Sun) | vs Buffalo Bills | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Sep. 20 (Sun) | vs Cincinnati Bengals | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Sep. 27 (Sun) | at Indianapolis Colts | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN |
| Oct. 4 (Sun) | vs Dallas Cowboys | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Oct. 11 (Sun) | at Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
| Oct. 18 (Sun) — International Game (London) | at Jacksonville Jaguars | Wembley Stadium, London, England |
| Oct. 25 (Sun) | vs New York Giants | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Nov. 1 (Sun) — BYE Week | BYE | — |
| Nov. 8 (Sun) | at Los Angeles Chargers | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
| Nov. 15 (Sun) | at Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH |
| Nov. 19 (Thu) — Thursday Night Football | vs Indianapolis Colts | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Nov. 29 (Sun) | vs Baltimore Ravens | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Dec. 6 (Sun) — Sunday Night Football | at Pittsburgh Steelers | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Dec. 13 (Sun) | at Washington Commanders | Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD |
| Dec. 20 (Sun) | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Dec. 24 (Thu) — Thursday Night Football | at Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA |
| Jan. 4 (Mon) — Monday Night Football | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
| Jan. 10 (Sun) | vs Tennessee Titans | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
Preseason Games — Early Look at the Roster
Before the real action starts, Houston kicks off the 2026 preseason with three games that give fans a first look at the depth chart and new additions to the roster.
The Texans open at home on August 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium, followed by another home preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 20. Preseason wraps up on the road at the Carolina Panthers on August 28 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
These three games matter beyond just the scoreboard. They set the tone for roster cuts, establish depth at key positions, and give coaches a chance to test combinations before the regular season gets underway. If you are building a printable PDF planner for the year, include preseason so you have the full picture from start to finish.
Regular Season Highlights — Key Matchups to Watch
Early Season: Home-Field Momentum
The Texans hit the ground running with back-to-back home games to open the regular season. September 13 brings the Buffalo Bills to NRG Stadium — a marquee early matchup against an AFC powerhouse. The following week, on September 20, Houston hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in what could be another statement win opportunity.
These two home games to start the year give Houston a real chance to build early momentum before the road schedule heats up. Fans who want to be in the building for both should grab their seats well in advance.
October: Cowboys, Titans, London, and Giants
October is the most event-heavy month on the entire schedule. It opens on October 4 with the Dallas Cowboys visiting NRG Stadium — always one of the most anticipated games of any Houston season, given the in-state rivalry and the Cowboys’ national following.
The October 11 road game at Tennessee is an important AFC South divisional clash at Nissan Stadium. That result could have serious playoff implications depending on how the first five weeks have gone.
Then comes the most unique game on the schedule. On October 18, Houston plays the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, England as part of the NFL International Series. The Texans’ official site specifically flags this game as a featured London matchup, and it represents the kind of rare, bucket-list football experience fans do not get every year.
Houston returns home on October 25 to face the New York Giants before entering the BYE week on November 1 — perfectly timed to let the team recover before the final stretch.
Primetime Games — All Four National Windows
The 2026 Texans schedule includes four primetime nationally televised games, which is a strong indicator of where Houston stands in the league’s spotlight:
- Thursday Night Football — Nov. 19 vs Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium
- Sunday Night Football — Dec. 6 at Pittsburgh Steelers (Acrisure Stadium)
- Thursday Night Football — Dec. 24 at Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field)
- Monday Night Football — Jan. 4 at Green Bay Packers (Lambeau Field)
Each of these games carries extra weight. The Christmas Eve game at Philadelphia and the New Year’s week game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay are two of the most visually iconic venues in football — prime reasons to circle those dates on a printed schedule and clear your calendar early.
Late Season — When the Schedule Gets Serious
After the BYE week on November 1, the Texans do not get many breaks. November features road games at the Chargers and Browns, a home Thursday Night Football game against Indianapolis, and a home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on November 29.
December ramps up even further. The Texans have road games at Pittsburgh, Washington, and Philadelphia, along with home games against Jacksonville and Tennessee, before closing the year with the Monday Night Football trip to Green Bay on January 4 and a home finale against Tennessee on January 10.
That late-season stretch — particularly the December road slate — is where the Texans’ 2026 season could ultimately be defined. For fans tracking every result, a printable PDF schedule becomes an essential tool during these final weeks.
See also: Buffalo Bills Schedule 2026: Printable PDF
How to Get the Printable PDF Version of the Texans 2026 Schedule
A Houston Texans Football Schedule printable PDF is one of the most practical tools any fan can have. Whether you keep it on the fridge, in your home office, or saved to your phone, having the full schedule at a glance eliminates the need to look anything up mid-week.
Printable schedules are especially useful for:
- Fantasy football managers tracking bye weeks and start/sit decisions
- Season-ticket holders planning travel and seating for each home game
- Families coordinating watch parties and tailgate schedules
- Casual fans who just want to know when the next game is without opening an app
For the official, print-ready version of the Houston Texans 2026 schedule with all available print and download options, go directly to: Printable PDF Schedule
That page is maintained by the Texans organization and will reflect any scheduling updates, time changes, or broadcast adjustments as they happen throughout the season. It is the most accurate source before you print or save your final copy.
Conclusion
The Houston Texans Football Schedule 2026 gives fans a full, action-packed season to look forward to — from early September home games against the Bills and Bengals, through October’s London international showdown against Jacksonville, all the way to a late-season run that includes four primetime games and some of the toughest road venues in football. Whether you are a season-ticket holder, a fantasy player, or simply someone who loves having a game-day plan, keeping a printable PDF of this schedule handy will make the entire season easier to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many primetime games do the Texans have in 2026?
The Houston Texans have four primetime games in 2026: Thursday Night Football at home against the Colts on November 19, Sunday Night Football on the road at Pittsburgh on December 6, Thursday Night Football at Philadelphia on December 24, and Monday Night Football at Green Bay on January 4.
Do the Texans play an international game in 2026?
Yes. Houston plays the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on October 18 as part of the NFL International Series. The official Texans site highlights this game as one of the featured events on the 2026 schedule.
When is the Houston Texans’ bye week in 2026?
The Texans’ bye week falls on November 1, 2026. It comes at a strong point in the schedule, right after the London game and the October home stretch, giving the team a well-timed break before the final push toward the playoffs.
What are the biggest home games on the Texans’ 2026 schedule?
The most anticipated home games include the Buffalo Bills on September 13, the Cincinnati Bengals on September 20, the Dallas Cowboys on October 4, the Indianapolis Colts on November 19 (Thursday Night Football), the Baltimore Ravens on November 29, the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 20, and the Tennessee Titans on January 10. All home games are played at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.