2026 NFL kickoff guide: Everything you need to know
The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch on NBC and Peacock. The full nfl schedule 2026 spans 18 regular-season weeks, and NBC Sports has published a team-by-team kickoff guide covering all 32 franchises ahead of opening night. With preseason winding down and opening weekend roughly two weeks away, fans, fantasy players, and bettors are locking in their calendars.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 NFL season opens Wednesday, Sept. 9, with Patriots at Seahawks on NBC and Peacock.
- NBC Sports published a kickoff guide with previews, schedules, and fantasy data for all 32 teams.
- FanDuel's printable grid covers every regular-season matchup from Week 1 through Week 18.
- FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Rams (+550) as early Super Bowl favorites ahead of the Seahawks and Bills (+1100 each).
- The NFL discontinued the Pro Bowl, ending the post-season all-star format critics long questioned.
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The 2026 NFL regular season begins on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The league opens with a primetime Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, the teams that met in Super Bowl LX.
According to FanDuel Research, kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on that Wednesday night. NBC News reports live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, with the full Sunday slate following on Sept. 13. Among those early openers, the Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 13, as noted by the Cape Gazette.
What is the NFL kickoff guide?
NBC Sports rolled out its 2026 NFL Kickoff Guide as a comprehensive preview for subscribers ahead of the new season. Expert researchers break down the most important stats, storylines, and roster changes for all 32 teams.
Each team page includes a 2025 season recap, a digest of 2026 offseason moves, and profiles of new players expected to make an impact. The guides also feature full schedules and data insights designed to help fantasy football managers plan their lineups. Visit NBC News to explore division-by-division breakdowns.
How can fans follow the full NFL schedule 2026?
With 18 weeks of regular-season games, keeping track of every matchup takes planning. FanDuel Research published a printable 2026 NFL schedule grid featuring every regular-season game from Week 1 through Week 18 in one place.
Whether you are planning your Sundays, preparing for fantasy drafts, or reviewing betting lines, the consolidated grid lets fans save or print the full slate. For more sports coverage and trending stories, browse our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
Who are the early Super Bowl favorites?
Per FanDuel Sportsbook's Super Bowl odds, the Los Angeles Rams hold the shortest odds at +550. The defending champion Seahawks and Buffalo Bills are tied at +1100, rounding out the top tier of early contenders before a snap is played.
Those lines can shift quickly once the season opener delivers its first real test on Sept. 9. The Seahawks-Patriots rematch offers an immediate replay of Super Bowl LX — a storyline NBC Sports highlighted as central to the 2026 kickoff narrative.
What changed before teams take the field?
One notable offseason shift came off the field: the NFL discontinued the Pro Bowl. The Cape Gazette's Sumner Spence welcomed the move, noting the traditional all-star game carried injury risk and felt out of step with the sport's physical toll.
Recent editions had pivoted to flag football and dodgeball-style celebrations, but the league ultimately ended the format entirely. On the field, teams like the Eagles are wrapping preseason with final roster decisions — including a last tune-up against the Cincinnati Bengals before their Sept. 13 opener.