NFL Playoffs: 2025/26 start date, schedule, format, how to watch

With the 2024/25 NFL playoffs in the rearview, let’s look ahead to next year’s postseason.

The 2024/25 NFL playoffs ended with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

February 2026 will bring us Super Bowl LX – the 60th edition of the game – at the end of the 2025 playoffs.

2025/26 NFL Playoffs expected start date

The 2025/26 NFL playoffs are expected to start on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

This date has not yet been confirmed by the NFL.

2025/26 NFL Playoffs expected schedule

Wild Card Round: Saturday, January 10 - Monday, January 12, 2026

Divisional Round: Saturday, January 17 – Sunday, January 18, 2026

Conference Championship Round: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Super Bowl LX: Sunday, February 8, 2026

2025/26 NFL Playoffs format

The No. 1 seeds in both the AFC and NFC will receive a bye in the Wild Card round, with the remaining division champions in each conference seeded No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 based on their regular-season records.

The next three teams with the best records in the conference are then allocated seeds #5, #6, and #7.

The No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed hosts the No. 6 seed and the No. 4 seed hosts the No. 5 seed in each conference's Wild Card round with the winners moving through to the Divisional round.

There, the lowest remaining seeds among the Wild Card game winners will travel to face the conference's No. 1 seed and the highest surviving seeds from the opening postseason round host the other team.

The same applies when the two Divisional round winners meet in the Conference championship game, with the highest remaining seed earning hosting rights.

The two conference champions then ultimately face off in the Super Bowl

How to watch the 2025/26 NFL Playoffs, TV channel and streaming

Cable or satellite provider: If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you'll likely have access to all the major broadcast networks (CBS, FOX, ESPN, ABC, NBC) that will be airing the playoffs. 

Streaming services: These services offer access to local channels and cable networks, often at a lower cost than traditional cable. Popular options include YouTube TV, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV. All of these services will carry the major broadcast networks airing the playoffs.

NFL+: This direct-to-consumer streaming service from the NFL will stream every playoff game, including the NFL Championship. However, it doesn't currently offer local network channels, so you won't be able to watch all the pre-game and post-game coverage.

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