Dallas Cowboys preseason complete schedule: dates and times of every game
The Dallas Cowboys are in full swing at training camp with the first preseason game just around the corner. Here’s all you need to know.
The countdown to the 2026 NFL season is officially on, and that means that preseason football is back. While the games don’t count in the standings, they offer the first real glimpse of how teams are shaping up ahead of Week 1. For the Dallas Cowboys, it’s a chance to evaluate depth, test young talent, and fine-tune systems before the pressure ramps up.
With expectations once again high in Dallas, all eyes will be on how the roster takes shape over the next few weeks. From rookie debuts to position battles, the preseason provides plenty of intrigue, even if the biggest stars remain on the sidelines.
Here’s a full look at the Cowboys’ 2026 preseason schedule.
Cowboys 2026 full preseason schedule
Week 1
- vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Date: Saturday, August 9, 2026
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas
Week 2
- at Arizona Cardinals
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Stadium - Glendale, Arizona
Week 3
- vs. New Orleans Saints
- Date: Friday, August 22, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas
Will Cowboys starters play in the preseason?
One of the biggest questions every August is how much playing time star players will actually see, and for the Cowboys, the answer appears clear: not much, if any.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has outlined a structured approach to managing preseason snaps, dividing the roster into four tiers: A, B+, B-, and C. Each group determines how much or how little a player will feature.
- A group: Likely zero preseason snaps
- B+ group: Around 10–15 snaps
- B- group: Roughly 20–35 snaps
- C group: Extended playing time
That system strongly suggests that key starters such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb will be held out of game action, avoiding unnecessary injury risk in contests that don’t impact the regular season.
Instead, preseason reps will be crucial for younger players, backups, and those fighting for roster spots. These three games often serve as make-or-break auditions, especially for players on the bubble.
Interestingly, Dallas will rely heavily on joint practices, particularly sessions with the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints, as a safer, controlled environment to evaluate starters against live competition. This cautious approach isn’t new. Schottenheimer followed a similar strategy last year, and with a long season ahead, preserving the health of key contributors remains the priority.
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