Jan 5, 2026
·Max Meyer
The road to the Lombardi Trophy is officially set. The 2026 NFL Playoffs bring together the league’s best teams for a month of high-stakes football, unforgettable moments and some of the most electric atmospheres in sports. From Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the path to a championship is simple: win and advance, or go home.
If you want to experience playoff football live, here’s a full breakdown of the NFL playoff schedule, plus tips on where to find cheap NFL playoff tickets along the way.
How the NFL Playoffs Work
The NFL playoffs feature 14 teams total, with seven teams from each conference (AFC and NFC) qualifying for the postseason. Teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 7 based on regular-season performance, with division winners earning the top spots and wild card teams filling out the rest of the field.
The No. 1 seed in each conference receives a bye during Wild Card Weekend, automatically advancing to the Divisional Round. The remaining six teams in each conference compete in the opening round, setting up the path toward a conference championship and ultimately the Super Bowl.
There are four rounds in the NFL playoffs:
Wild Card Weekend – Six games across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, featuring the No. 2–No. 7 seeds in each conference.
Divisional Round – Eight teams remain, with the top seed returning to face the lowest remaining seed.
Conference Championship Games – One AFC and one NFC matchup determine who advances to the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl – The AFC and NFC champions meet to decide the league champion.
Wild Card Weekend 2026 Schedule
Wild Card Weekend kicks off the postseason with six games over three days, featuring divisional rivalries, prime-time showdowns and playoff debuts.
Saturday, January 10
(5) Los Angeles Rams at (4) Carolina Panthers (4:30 p.m. ET)
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears (8 p.m. ET)
Sunday, January 11
(6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. ET)
(6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles (4:30 p.m. ET)
(7) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots Patriots (8 p.m. ET)
Monday, January 12
(5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers (8 p.m. ET)
Divisional Round 2026 Schedule
The Divisional Round marks the return of the NFL’s top seeds—the Denver Broncos in the AFC and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC—as the league’s strongest teams join the playoff field after earning first-round byes. Matchups will be finalized after Wild Card Weekend.
Saturday, January 17
AFC or NFC Divisional Game (4:30 p.m. ET)
AFC or NFC Divisional Game (8 p.m. ET)
Sunday, January 18
AFC or NFC Divisional Game (3 p.m. ET)
AFC or NFC Divisional Game (6:30 p.m. ET)
Championship Sunday 2026 Schedule
Only four teams remain when Championship Sunday arrives—two wins away from immortality. With these games determining who advances to the Super Bowl, they’re often the most intense matchups of the entire season.
Sunday, January 25
AFC Championship Game (3 p.m. ET)
NFC Championship Game (6:30 p.m. ET)
Super Bowl LX Kickoff Time
Super Bowl LX caps the 2026 NFL season on one of the sport’s biggest stages, with the league’s top two teams competing for the Lombardi Trophy at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Sunday, February 8
AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion (6:30 p.m. ET)
Where to Get Cheap NFL Playoff Tickets
NFL playoff tickets are always in high demand, but that doesn’t mean fans have to overpay. With the right timing, tools, and flexibility, it’s still possible to find strong value for every round of the postseason.
Why Buy NFL Playoff Tickets on SeatGeek?
SeatGeek makes it easier to find the best value across thousands of playoff listings, all in one place:
All-in pricing Every listing shows the full cost upfront, including fees, so you can compare tickets accurately and avoid last-minute surprises at checkout.
Deal Score SeatGeek’s Deal Score tool instantly highlights which tickets offer the best value based on seat quality and price, making it easier to spot underpriced options quickly.
Interactive seating maps View exact seat locations and sightlines before you buy, so you know what you’re getting—whether you’re sitting near midfield or soaking in the atmosphere from the upper level.
Mobile ticket delivery Tickets are delivered directly to the SeatGeek app and are ready to scan at the gate, eliminating printing or last-minute transfers.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Playoff Tickets
Buy early for high-profile matchups Rivalry games, primetime matchups, and top seeds hosting playoff games tend to rise in price as kickoff approaches. Locking in early can help avoid late surges.
Monitor prices once matchups are finalized Prices often fluctuate in the days following Wild Card Weekend, especially for Divisional Round games. This can be a prime window to find value before demand spikes again.
Stay flexible with seating Upper-level sections, corner seats, and end-zone views often deliver the best savings while still providing an electric playoff atmosphere.
Consider kickoff timing Night games and weekend primetime slots usually command higher prices, while earlier kickoffs can offer better value.
Use Deal Score as your shortcut Rather than guessing, let Deal Score guide you to tickets that offer the strongest value for your budget.
From Wild Card Weekend through Super Bowl LX, the NFL playoffs deliver some of the most memorable moments in sports and there’s nothing quite like experiencing them live.
Whether you’re chasing a last-minute Wild Card ticket or planning ahead for a conference championship or the Super Bowl, SeatGeek makes it easy to compare options, spot great value, and secure your seats with confidence. Keep an eye on matchups and when you’re ready, find your perfect playoff ticket and be part of the postseason atmosphere.
📁 Categories: NFL