6 most must-see games to circle on the Panthers' 2026 schedule
· Yahoo Sports
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Entering this upcoming campaign, the team is coming off their first NFC South title since 2015 and their first playoff appearance since 2017—one they almost made the most out of in a wild near-upset of the Los Angeles Rams. And thanks to a splashy spending spree in free agency and highly-acclaimed 2026 NFL Draft, the excitement has continued to build up.
That's evident by their newly-announced regular-season schedule—which not only features a slew of showdowns against the league's top contenders, but a whopping three prime-time appearances. So, which of those outings should we be looking forward to most?
Here are the Panthers' six most must-see games on their 2026 slate . . .
Week 1 vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET)
We'll begin right from the first kickoff, with the season opener against the visiting Bears. This is a matchup of two fresh division winners and two well-noted trade partners from the 2023 offseason.
Panthers and Bears fans have been at each other's throats (or fingers) on social media ever since their squads struck the deal that ultimately landed Bryce Young in Carolina and Caleb Williams in Chicago. Despite their meeting from 2024, this'll be the first contest in which these two No. 1 overall picks start against one another.
Week 4 vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday, Oct. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET)
The Panthers' last Sunday nighter came way back in 2016, when a tieless reigning MVP and his reigning NFC champions flew into Seattle. Well, the drought will stop a decade later—with an early opportunity to prove, on a national stage, that they've arrived.
Oh, and it won't be easy—as they'll have to slow down the high-powered Lions offense.
Week 6 at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1:00 p.m. ET)
During their last trip to Philly in 2024, Young and the Panthers were a mere step away from pulling off an upset that would've made Rocky Balboa blush. But their valiant fight came up short, as wide receiver Xavier Legette dropped a go-ahead touchdown pass in the game's final moments.
Carolina will get another chance to deliver a knockout punch to the Eagles, who will be coming into this game off an overseas journey to London the week prior.
Week 8 at Green Bay Packers (Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8:15 p.m. ET)
2025 displayed real signs of progress for the Panthers. Instead of teasing the potential of those upsets, they actually completed them—on multiple occasions.
One of their victims was the Packers, through a hard-fought 16-13 victory at Lambeau Field in early November. They'll get to run it back almost exactly a year on a Thursday night.
Week 12 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday, Nov. 3 at 8:15 p.m. ET)
This'll be the third and final (at least as it's currently scheduled) prime-time showcase for the Panthers, and it comes against the foe they battled off for the NFC South crown.
Carolina and Tampa Bay split their season series in 2025, with the home team taking the wins.
Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET)
For the second time in as many seasons, the Panthers will welcome in the Seahawks for a Week 17 clash. And hopefully for our hosts, this go-round will be a little more complete.
Carolina stuck tight with Seattle for much of their 2025 battle before the bottom fell out over the game's final 11 minutes. They'll have to come ready to defend their turf from the defending Super Bowl champs for a full 60 minutes, especially if this penultimate regular-season game has an effect on their playoff lives.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL schedule: 6 most must-see games for the Panthers