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
Check the NFL schedule for updates throughout the season. FOX will carry six regional games Sunday, Sept. 13. Fans can watch the matchup available in their market on their local FOX station or stream it live on FOX One. Regional availability and other restrictions may apply.
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When Was the 2026 NFL Schedule Released?
Several marquee Week 1 matchups, including the season opener, were announced before the full schedule release. The NFL unveiled all 272 regular-season games Thursday, May 14.
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Patrick Mahomes said that he plans to “go out there and be myself” Week 1 following his season-ending knee injury last year. Danny Parkins, Eric Mangini, and Geoff Schwartz address the biggest concerns for Mahomes and the Chiefs, and if injuries are the only thing that could stop the Los Angeles Rams this season.
How Is the NFL Schedule Determined?
The NFL uses a rotating formula to build each team’s 17-game schedule. Here’s how the matchups are determined:
- 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 regular 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 Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6, followed by the first full preseason slate from Aug. 13-16. Here is the complete Week 1 schedule and what to know about the season opener.
