When does the NFL start in 2026? Full kickoff guide
When does the NFL start in 2026? The regular season kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl 60 rematch. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field, with NBC coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
After 213 days since Super Bowl 60 on Feb. 8, meaningful NFL action returns as the defending champion Seahawks open their title defense against the team they beat for the trophy. For fans asking when does the NFL season truly begin, that Wednesday night opener is the answer — and Week 1 stretches across four days from Seattle to Australia.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 NFL regular season begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, with Patriots at Seahawks on NBC and Peacock.
- Week 1 includes an international Rams-49ers game in Australia on Thursday and a full Sunday slate on Sept. 13.
- NBC Sports published a kickoff guide covering all 32 teams, schedules, and offseason storylines.
- The league has eliminated the traditional Pro Bowl, ending the post-season all-star format.
- Notable Week 1 matchups include Giants-Cowboys on Sunday and Chiefs-Broncos on Monday night.
What game opens the 2026 NFL season?
Tradition holds that the reigning Super Bowl champion starts the next season, and 2026 follows that script. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field in a direct rematch of Super Bowl 60.
According to AOL, kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET. NBC News reports live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, giving fans pregame build-up before the first snap.
What does Week 1 look like after the opener?
Week 1 does not stop at Seattle. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams meet in an NFC West showdown in Australia, streaming on Netflix at 8:35 p.m. ET.
The bulk of the opening week lands Sunday, Sept. 13, with 14 games across CBS and Fox. Highlights include the Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, and a prime-time NFC East clash between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
Week 1 wraps Monday, Sept. 14, when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Denver Broncos at 8 p.m. on ESPN and ABC. The Philadelphia Eagles, a team with playoff expectations, open against the Washington Commanders that same Sunday, as noted in local coverage ahead of the final preseason weekend.
What should fans know before kickoff?
NBC Sports rolled out its 2026 NFL Kickoff Guide on Aug. 26, offering subscribers team-by-team breakdowns for all 32 franchises. Each guide includes a 2025 recap, offseason moves, impact newcomers, full schedules, and fantasy football insights.
With the season roughly two weeks away from late August, rosters are settling and preseason games are winding down. The league also ended the Pro Bowl in its traditional form, a move welcomed by observers who cited injury risks and questioned holding an all-star game after the season concludes.
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