The Miami Dolphins open the 2026 preseason on Friday night in Landover, Maryland, with a road trip to face the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium.
It’s the kind of preseason opener built for evaluation more than scoreboard-watching. The real goal is getting live reps, full-speed contact, and a first look at the roster battles playing out on the back end.
Still, Miami is expected to roll out at least some of its starters early, and quarterback Malik Willis is expected to start. That means the Dolphins’ top passer should have his top targets and the offensive line in front of him when the game begins, even if the first-team work is brief.
It also gives fans a first glimpse at a 2026 Dolphins group that looks very different from the 2025 version.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 14.
The game will be played at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
For viewers in South Florida and beyond, the local TV coverage includes CBS in Miami, Washington DC, Baltimore, Norfolk, and Roanoke; NBC in West Palm Beach; and ABC in Richmond and Charlotte.
The broadcast crew is Steve Goldstein, Kim Bokamper, and Mike Cugno. The Commanders broadcast team is Dan Hellie, Brian Mitchell, John Riggins, and Bryan Colbert Jr.
Radio coverage will air across the iHeart Radio Network, including WINZ 940-AM/WBGG 105.9 FM Miami/Ft. Lauderdale; WTZU 94.9 FM Mami/Ft.
Lauderdale for the Spanish broadcast; WFSX 92.5 FM/105.9 FM Ft. Myers; WUUB 106.3 FM West Palm Beach; WEFL 760 AM West Palm Beach for the Spanish broadcast; WAVK 97.7 FM Key West; WCZR 101.7 FM/WAVW 92.7 FM Port St.
Lucie; and WRSO 810AM Orlando.
The officiating crew is listed as Referee Brad Allen, with Chad Hill working the second half. Marcus Woods is the umpire, Sarah Thomas the down judge, Walter Flowers the line judge, Anthony Flemming the field judge, Chad Hill the side judge, Tyree Walton the back judge, Jim Van Geffen the replay official, and Randy Roseberry the replay assistant.
Weather at kickoff is forecast at 82 degrees and cloudy.
Miami’s preseason schedule continues with a home game against the New York Giants on Saturday, August 22 at 4 p.m. on NFL Network and CBS Miami, followed by a Friday, August 28 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m. on CBS Miami.
The regular season starts with a road game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, September 13 at 4:25 p.m. on FOX, then a trip to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 p.m. on FOX. The Dolphins’ home opener comes in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, September 27 at 1 p.m. on CBS.
From there, Miami visits the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 4 at 4:05 p.m. on FOX and hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 11 at 1 p.m. on FOX before the Week 6 bye. The schedule resumes with a road game against the New York Jets on Sunday, October 25 at 1 p.m. on CBS.
The Dolphins then host the New England Patriots on Sunday, November 1 at 4:25 p.m. on CBS, the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 8 at 1 p.m. on FOX, and later travel to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, November 15 at 1 p.m. on CBS and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, November 22 at 1 p.m. on FOX.
Miami’s late-season stretch includes a home game against the New York Jets on Sunday, November 29 at 1 p.m. on CBS, a trip to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, December 6 at 4:05 p.m. on FOX, a home matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday, December 13 at 1 p.m. on CBS, and a road game at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, December 20 at 1 p.m. on FOX.
The Dolphins close with home games against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 27 at 1 p.m. on FOX and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, January 3 at 1 p.m. on CBS.
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