2026 NFL schedule: Cowboys will host Eagles on Thanksgiving
Every year, fans look forward to the NFL schedule release to see when specific matchups will happen. While there is a high level of variability, one certainty of the season is that the Dallas Cowboys will be at home on Thanksgiving Day.
In 2026, the Cowboys will host a game on the holiday as is tradition, and it will be a blockbuster NFC East showdown as the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. This will be one of their two divisional matchups of the regular season.
Philly’s heading to to Dallas for a Thanksgiving matchup 🦃 @NFLonFOX
— NFL (@NFL) May 11, 2026
NFL Schedule Release - Thursday at 8pm ET on ESPN/NFLN pic.twitter.com/FoWFLAGxYF
Earlier Monday, NBC announced the Cowboys would face the New York Giants in the Week 1 “Sunday Night Football” opener.
Last year, the Cowboys played the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving. That game drew 57.2 million viewers, with Fox hoping this divisional matchup can meet or exceed those numbers.
The Eagles last played the Cowboys on Thanksgiving in 2014, winning that game 33-10. The Cowboys have won four straight Thanksgiving Day games, beating the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders and the New York Giants twice.
Philadelphia won the NFC East in 2025 with an 11-6 record, the only team in the division to have a winning record. The Eagles’ season ended in the wild-card round with a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Dallas finished the regular season 7-9-1, losing four of its last five games. In the offseason, the Cowboys brought back running back Javonte Williams on a three-year deal, George Pickens signed his franchise tag, and kicker Brandon Aubrey made history, becoming the highest-paid kicker.
The Eagles' offseason included minor deals, such as signing veteran running back Dameon Pierce and wide receiver Marquise Brown, and acquiring WR Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers.
A.J. Brown remains on the roster, but after Philadelphia used a first-round pick on USC WR Makai Lemon, Brown is expected to be traded after June 1.
Dallas used two first-round picks to address defensive needs. The Cowboys added Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick, and UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence at 23.
This is the first of two NFC East matchups announced between these teams for the 2026 season. The full schedule release will happen on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.
