The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET. Week 1 spans four days and includes the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Here’s the complete schedule, plus what to know about the season opener.
When Does the 2026 NFL Season Start?
The season begins with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots at Lumen Field on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The matchup is a rematch of Super Bowl LX, when Seattle claimed the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. It also marks the NFL’s first Wednesday season opener since 2012, one night before the league stages its first regular-season game in Australia.
2026 NFL Week 1 Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 9
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks – 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC and Peacock)
Thursday, Sept. 10
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams – 8:35 p.m. ET (Netflix) at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Local kickoff is Friday, Sept. 11 at 10:35 a.m. AEST.
Sunday, Sept. 13
Monday, Sept. 14
Verify the NFL schedule for updates all through the season. FOX will carry six regional video games Sunday, Sept. 13. Followers can watch the matchup accessible of their market on their native FOX station or stream it live on FOX One. Regional availability and different restrictions might apply.
NFL Associated Tales
When Was the 2026 NFL Schedule Launched?
A number of marquee Week 1 matchups, together with the season opener, have been introduced earlier than the total schedule launch. The NFL unveiled all 272 regular-season video games Thursday, Could 14.
Chiefs have ‘A LOT OF CONCERNS’ getting into Week 1, Will something cease the Rams this season? | FTF
Patrick Mahomes stated that he plans to “go on the market and be myself” Week 1 following his season-ending knee harm final 12 months. Danny Parkins, Eric Mangini, and Geoff Schwartz handle the largest considerations for Mahomes and the Chiefs, and if accidents are the one factor that would cease the Los Angeles Rams this season.
How Is the NFL Schedule Decided?
The NFL makes use of a rotating system to construct every group’s 17-game schedule. This is how the matchups are decided:
- Each team plays 17 regular-season games.
- Each team receives a bye week.
- Teams alternate seasons where they host nine regular-season games and one preseason game or eight regular-season games and two preseason games.
- Each team has six games against divisional opponents, two against each team, one at home and one on the road.
- Each team has four games against teams from a division within its conference, two games at home and two on the road.
- Each team has four games against teams from a division in the other conference, two games at home and two on the road.
- Each team has two games against teams from the two remaining divisions in its own conference, one game at home and one on the road. Matchups are based on division ranking from the previous season.
- The 17th game for each team is an additional game against a nonconference opponent from a division the team is not scheduled to play. Matchups are based on division ranking from the previous season.
The 2026 NFL common season begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET. The preseason opened with the Corridor of Fame Sport on Aug. 6, adopted by the primary full preseason slate from Aug. 13-16. Right here is the whole Week 1 schedule and what to know in regards to the season opener.
