The Denver Broncos announced their 2026 preseason schedule Wednesday, featuring a mix of road and home matchups to prepare for the regular season [1].
These games serve as the primary evaluation period for the coaching staff to determine the final 53-man roster. The schedule allows the team to test new players and schemes against diverse opponents before the official NFL season begins [5].
The Broncos will open their preseason on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 [1]. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Mountain Time [2] and will take place in Atlanta against the Falcons [3]. This road opener marks the first competitive action for the team in the 2026 calendar year.
Following the trip to Atlanta, the team will return to Colorado for two home games [5]. The Broncos will host the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High [4]. While the specific dates for these home contests were not detailed in the initial announcement, they are expected to take place later in August [1].
Preseason scheduling is a critical component of the team's annual planning and ticket sales effort [5]. By finalizing these dates, the organization can coordinate logistics for travel and stadium operations, while providing fans with a timeline for the return of professional football to Denver.
The team will use these three contests to refine their depth chart. The matchups against the Packers and Vikings provide the coaching staff with an opportunity to evaluate talent in front of a home crowd before the high-stakes environment of the regular season.
“The Broncos will open their preseason on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.”
The release of the preseason schedule transitions the organization from the offseason drafting and signing phase into active player evaluation. By facing a variety of opponents, including a road trip to Atlanta and home games against established franchises like Green Bay, the Broncos can calibrate their tactical approach and finalize roster cuts based on live-game performance.
