Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants will close out the first Sunday of the 2026 NFL season with an NFC East rivalry matchup at MetLife Stadium. The game will also mark John Harbaugh's debut as New York's head coach.
When is Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants?
The game will be played on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kickoff: 5:20 p.m. PT, 7:20 p.m. CT and 8:20 p.m. ET.
U.S. broadcast: NBC and Peacock.
Where to watch Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants in the USA?
NBC will broadcast the game as the first Sunday Night Football matchup of the 2026 season, with streaming available on Peacock. Coverage begins before kickoff, while the game itself is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET, 7:20 p.m. CT and 5:20 p.m. PT.
Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants preview
Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 season looking to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason in each of the previous two seasons. Dallas finished 2025 with a 7-9-1 record but expects to be much more competitive this year.
Dak Prescott remains the centerpiece of the Cowboys offense after putting together one of the best seasons of his career in 2025. He threw for 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns, while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens combined to give Dallas one of the league's most productive wide receiver duos.
The biggest question for Dallas may be its defense. The Cowboys allowed 30.1 points per game last season, the worst mark in the NFL. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker will make his regular-season debut with the unit in a crucial early test against the Giants.
New York Giants begin a new era under John Harbaugh, who takes charge after spending 18 seasons as the head coach of Baltimore Ravens. The Giants finished 2025 with a 4-13 record and will look to make an immediate turnaround under their new coaching staff.
Jaxson Dart will start at quarterback for New York. The young quarterback showed significant potential during his rookie season, producing 24 total touchdowns in 2025, including 15 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns.
Malik Nabers is also expected to be a major factor for the Giants. After dealing with an injury during the previous season, the wide receiver enters 2026 looking to reestablish himself as one of New York's most dangerous offensive weapons.
The rivalry has been dominated historically by Dallas. The Cowboys lead the regular-season series 78-47-2 after 127 meetings. However, New York won the most recent matchup, defeating Dallas 34-17 at MetLife Stadium in Week 18 of the 2025 season.
The stakes are significant for both teams from the opening night of their seasons. A Giants victory would give Harbaugh an immediate statement win in his home debut, while a Dallas victory would provide an important early boost to the Cowboys' hopes of returning to the postseason.
Game information
Game: Dallas Cowboys vs New York Giants
Week: NFL Week 1, 2026
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
PT: 5:20 p.m.
CT: 7:20 p.m.
ET: 8:20 p.m.
Stadium: MetLife Stadium
U.S. broadcast: NBC and Peacock
Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants will headline the opening Sunday night of the 2026 NFL season. With John Harbaugh beginning a new era in New York, Dak Prescott leading Dallas and an NFC East rivalry at the center of the matchup, this game has all the ingredients for an exciting start to the season.