# FOMC Meeting Schedule 2026: Dates, Times & What to Expect

> FOMC meeting schedule 2026: all 8 Fed meeting dates, 2:00 PM ET statement time, and press conference details for forex traders.

**URL:** https://forexcalendar.app/fomc-meeting-schedule-2026-dates-times/

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# FOMC Meeting Schedule 2026: Dates, Times & What to Expect

**Quick answer:** The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets **eight times in 2026**. Rate decisions are published at **2:00 PM ET**, followed by the Chair's press conference at **2:30 PM ET**. The next meeting is **June 16-17, 2026**.

FOMC decisions are the highest-impact USD event of all — bigger than any single data release — because interest rates drive currency valuations directly.

## Full 2026 FOMC Meeting Calendar

| Meeting | Dates | Decision time (ET) | Projections (SEP)? |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 27–28 | 2:00 PM | No |
| March | Mar 17–18 | 2:00 PM | ✅ Yes |
| April | Apr 28–29 | 2:00 PM | No |
| June | Jun 16–17 | 2:00 PM | ✅ Yes |
| July | Jul 28–29 | 2:00 PM | No |
| September | Sep 15–16 | 2:00 PM | ✅ Yes |
| October | Oct 27–28 | 2:00 PM | No |
| December | Dec 8–9 | 2:00 PM | ✅ Yes |

Meetings run two days; the decision lands on the **second day at 2:00 PM ET**. Minutes are published about three weeks later.

## Why the "SEP" Meetings Matter More

Four meetings a year (March, June, September, December) include the **Summary of Economic Projections** — the famous "dot plot" showing where each official expects rates to go. These meetings tend to produce bigger moves because the market re-prices the entire rate path, not just the current decision.

## What Moves the Market at an FOMC Meeting

1. **The rate decision** (hike / hold / cut) — but this is often priced in.
2. **The statement wording** — subtle changes in language signal future moves.
3. **The dot plot** (on SEP meetings) — forward guidance.
4. **The press conference at 2:30 PM ET** — the Chair's tone often moves the market *more* than the decision itself. Volatility frequently spikes during Q&A.

## Trading the FOMC

- Expect **two waves**: the 2:00 PM decision and the 2:30 PM press conference.
- Spreads widen and liquidity thins around the release — size down.
- Many traders avoid holding through the decision entirely and trade the cleaner trend that emerges afterward.

Knowing the exact minute of the decision *and* the press conference is essential — they're 30 minutes apart and both move markets.


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## Get Real-Time Alerts with the Forex Calendar App

Dates and times shift with holidays and revisions — the **Forex Calendar Counter & Alarm** app always shows the confirmed release with a live countdown and a push alert 1 hour before. Filter by impact, see the heatmap, and review event history.

**📱 iOS:** [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/id/app/forex-calendar-alarm/id1562677865)
**🤖 Android:** [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.instaforex.ff)