Wednesday Kickoff! NFL 2026 Season Arrives with Seahawks-Patriots Rematch

The gridiron awakens! The 2026 NFL regular season is set to explode into action this week, starting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Football fans will be treated to a thrilling Super Bowl LX rematch between the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, marking the official commencement of the league's 107th season. This unprecedented Wednesday night kickoff, the first since 2012, ignites an 18-week schedule that promises a blend of established rivalries and international spectacle.

When is the NFL Kickoff Game and Who's Playing?

The 2026 NFL Kickoff Game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. This highly anticipated matchup is a direct callback to Super Bowl LX, which saw the Seahawks defeat the Patriots 29-13.

Key players expected to dominate the opening night include Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, All-Pro cornerback Devon Witherspoon, and defensive tackle Leonard Williams. For the Patriots, quarterback Drake Maye, All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and newly acquired three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown are poised to lead the charge. NBC Sports will broadcast the game, with coverage beginning earlier at 7 p.m. ET with the NFL Kickoff Special, featuring Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark, and Kaylee Hartung on the call.

What Other Key Games Are Scheduled for Week 1?

Week 1 extends beyond the Wednesday opener, featuring a historic international game on Thursday, September 10, when the San Francisco 49ers battle the Los Angeles Rams. This groundbreaking contest will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, kicking off at 8:35 p.m. ET (which translates to Friday, September 11, 10:35 a.m. AEST local time), with Netflix carrying the broadcast. This is part of a record nine international games planned for the 2026 season, spanning venues in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; London, England; Munich, Germany; Madrid, Spain; Paris, France; and Melbourne, Australia.

Sunday, September 13, brings a full slate of matchups to football fans. The 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff window includes:

• Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (FOX)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (FOX)
• New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (FOX)
• Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans (CBS)
• Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts (CBS)
• Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS)
• Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (FOX)
• New York Jets at Tennessee Titans (CBS)

Later on Sunday, the 4:25 p.m. ET games feature:

• Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers (CBS)
• Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders (FOX)
• Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (CBS)
• Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX)

The "Sunday Night Football" debut on September 13 will showcase the Dallas Cowboys visiting the New York Giants at 8:20 p.m. ET, broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo. This game is particularly notable as it marks John Harbaugh's head coaching debut with the New York Giants.

Wrapping up Week 1, "Monday Night Football" on September 14 will pit the Denver Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. ET, available on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and NFL+.

What's the significance of this Week 1 schedule?

This season marks the NFL's first Wednesday opener since 2012, breaking the traditional Thursday night slot for the Kickoff Game. The Seahawks-Patriots matchup is only the third Week 1 Super Bowl rematch in NFL history and the first in a decade, adding an extra layer of intrigue. The league continues its tradition of having the reigning Super Bowl champion host the opening game, with Seattle taking the honors. The expansion of international games, including the first NFL regular season game in Australia, underscores the league's global ambitions.

When does the 2026 NFL regular season conclude?

The 2026 NFL regular season is scheduled to conclude on January 10, 2027. Following the regular season, the playoffs will begin on January 16, 2027, culminating in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027. Throughout the season, flexible scheduling rules may be applied for Sunday Night Football (Weeks 5-10, and Weeks 11-17), Monday Night Football (Weeks 12-17), and Thursday Night Football (Weeks 13-17) to ensure optimal matchups for viewers.