It is officially the 2026 offseason, and the "Steel City" draft in Pittsburgh is officially in the books. The energy in the Carolinas is at a boiling point. After watching over 800,000 fans swarm the North Shore of Pittsburgh for the draft, the Carolina Panthers emerged with a haul designed to protect their investment and solidify a defense that carried them to a division title.
This is a defining year for the "Keep Pounding" faithful. With Dave Canales and Dan Morgan entering their third season together, the Panthers are no longer a project—they are a threat. After a 2025 campaign that saw them win the NFC South and return to the postseason for the first time in eight years, the front office used the 2026 draft to build a wall around their young playmakers and find a potential developmental star at quarterback.
How to Get Panthers Tickets for the 2026 Season
Bank of America Stadium is preparing for its most anticipated season in a decade. With the schedule release coming this Thursday, May 14, fans should prepare for tickets to move at record speeds as the Panthers look to defend their NFC South crown.
- Official On-Sale: Single-game tickets go live on Ticketmaster almost immediately following the NFL's official schedule release on May 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
- The "HOF" Hype: Note that the Panthers will play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton on August 6, 2026. This has already sparked a massive surge in local interest and ticket inquiries for the preseason.
- Mobile-Only Entry: Bank of America Stadium is a strictly digital venue. You must use the Panthers App or your mobile wallet to access tickets; screenshots and paper printouts are no longer accepted.
- Secondary Market: For the high-stakes divisional battles against the Falcons or Saints, check SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan marketplace for verified resale.
Carolina Panthers Schedule
Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (ET) | Network |
1 | Sept 13 | Chicago Bears | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
2 | Sept 20 | @ Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
3 | Sept 27 | @ Cleveland Browns | Huntington Bank Field | 1:00 PM | FOX |
4 | Oct 4 | Detroit Lions | Bank of America Stadium | 8:20 PM | NBC |
5 | — | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
6 | Oct 18 | @ Philadelphia Eagles | Lincoln Financial Field | 1:00 PM | CBS |
7 | Oct 25 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
8 | Oct 29 | @ Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field | 8:15 PM | Prime Video |
9 | Nov 8 | Denver Broncos | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | CBS |
10 | Nov 15 | @ New Orleans Saints | Caesars Superdome | 1:00 PM | FOX |
11 | Nov 22 | Baltimore Ravens | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
12 | Nov 30 | @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Raymond James Stadium | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
13 | Dec 6 | @ Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium | 4:25 PM | CBS |
14 | Dec 13 | New New Orleans Saints | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | CBS |
15 | Dec 20 | Cincinnati Bengals | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
16 | Dec 26/27 | @ Pittsburgh Steelers | Acrisure Stadium | TBD | TBD |
17 | Jan 3 | Seattle Seahawks | Bank of America Stadium | 1:00 PM | FOX |
18 | Jan 9/10 | Atlanta Falcons | Bank of America Stadium |
How to Watch the Panthers in 2026
- Local/National:FOX (WJZY-46) remains the primary home for the Panthers. CBS (WBTV-3) will carry AFC matchups like the Ravens and Bengals, while NBC (WCNC-36) handles Sunday Night Football.
- Thursday Night:Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive home for all TNF games.
- Holiday Special: Christmas 2026 falls on a Friday. Netflix will exclusively stream the NFL's holiday games this year.
- Best Choice for Local Fans:Fubo covers all local Charlotte affiliates (WJZY, WBTV, WCNC, WSOC) and the NFL Network.
- Pro Tip: For out-of-market "Panther Nation" fans, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV is the only way to catch every game. If you're traveling, use NordVPN set to Charlotte to access your local WJZY/FOX stream via your mobile apps.
The "Steel City" Draft: Panthers 2026 Highlights
The Panthers were surgical in Pittsburgh, making 8 selections and orchestrating multiple trades to secure elite size for their lines and a high-upside quarterback to join the room.
Round | Pick | Player | Position | School |
1 | — | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
2 | 49 | Lee Hunter | DT | UCF |
5 | 144 | Sam Hecht | C | Kansas State |
5 | 151 | Zakee Wheatley | S | Penn State |
7 | 227 | Jackson Kuwatch | LB | Ohio State |
UDFA | — | Haynes King | QB | Georgia Tech |
Draft Analysis:
- The Blindside Anchor: In the first round, the Panthers secured Monroe Freeling. An elite pass-protector with a "never-seen-before" athletic profile, Freeling is expected to start at tackle immediately to ensure the pocket stays clean for the offense.
- Trench Warfare: GM Dan Morgan traded up to #49 overall to select Lee Hunter. The massive defensive tackle brings immediate interior pressure and was a top target for Dave Canales’ vision of a more "violent" front.
- Developmental Spark: The signing of Haynes King as a high-priority undrafted rookie has the Charlotte media buzzing. After an explosive season at Georgia Tech, King is viewed as a dynamic athlete who could compete for a roster spot during training camp in July.
Carolina Panthers: 2025 Season Recap
The 2025 season was a historic "arrival" for the franchise. The Panthers finished 8–9, becoming the first team in NFL history to win two division titles with a losing record. However, the record doesn't tell the whole story; the campaign featured a massive upset of the Rams in Week 13 and an emotional overtime win against the Falcons. While their season ended in a 31–34 Wild Card heartbreak against those same Rams, the foundation for 2026 is officially set.
Week | Opponent | Result | Record |
W1–W18 | Regular Season | 8–9 | NFC South Champs |
W13 | vs. Los Angeles Rams | W, 31–28 | Season Statement |
WC | vs. Los Angeles Rams | L, 31–34 | Wild Card Exit |
OROY | Tetairoa McMillan | 1,200+ Yds | Offensive Rookie of the Year |