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The 2026 NFL season opens on Wednesday 9 September when the defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. It is a Super Bowl LX rematch, and it is the league’s first Wednesday opener since 2012.
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Week 1 runs across four days and 16 games, finishing with Broncos at Chiefs on Monday night. One game is being played in Australia for the first time in league history. Here is the complete schedule with kickoff times and where to watch every matchup.
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NFL Week 1 Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Date | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 9 September | 1 (season opener) |
| Thursday | 10 September | 1 (in Melbourne, Australia) |
| Sunday | 13 September | 13 |
| Monday | 14 September | 1 |
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Wednesday 9 September
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC and Peacock
Lumen Field hosts the opener, and it is a straight rematch of Super Bowl LX. Seattle beat New England 29-13 in that game to claim the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
The Wednesday slot is unusual. The NFL has not opened a season on a Wednesday since 2012, and the reason is what follows it a night later.
Thursday 10 September
San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams, 8:35 p.m. ET, Netflix
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
This is the first regular-season NFL game ever played in Australia, and it is why the season started a day early. Local kickoff is Friday 11 September at 10:35 a.m. AEST and the sports betting odds are getting higher than the other games.
It is also a genuine NFC West heavyweight fight rather than an exhibition. The Rams entered the season as Super Bowl favourites.
Sunday 13 September
1:00 p.m. ET
| Matchup | TV |
|---|---|
| Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers | FOX |
| Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts | CBS |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals | FOX |
| Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers | FOX |
| New York Jets at Tennessee Titans | CBS |
| New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions | FOX |
| Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans | CBS |
| Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars | CBS |
4:25 p.m. ET
| Matchup | TV |
|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers | CBS |
| Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings | CBS |
| Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders | FOX |
| Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles | FOX |
8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, NBC and Peacock
An NFC East opener in primetime. The Giants get their divisional rival at home in the first week.
Monday 14 September
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, ABC and ESPN2
NFL Week 1 closes at Arrowhead with an AFC West meeting. Patrick Mahomes returns here after a season-ending knee injury last year, which makes this the most watched storyline of the Monday slot.
How to Watch NFL Week 1
Week 1 is spread across five different broadcasters, which is more than a typical week:
- CBS: 6 games. Available on Paramount+ depending on your plan and market.
- FOX: 6 games. Available on FOX One. Sunday afternoon FOX games are regional, so which one you get depends on your local affiliate.
- NBC: 2 games. The Wednesday opener and Sunday Night Football, both also on Peacock.
- ESPN: 1 game. Monday night, simulcast on ABC and ESPN2.
- Netflix: 1 game. The Melbourne game, streaming only.
The regional point matters for the Sunday afternoon windows. CBS and FOX each carry multiple games in the same slot, and your market determines which one airs locally.
Key Storylines in Week 1
- A Super Bowl rematch to open. Seattle and New England meet again seven months after Seattle won 29-13. The Seahawks went 17-3 straight up last season.
- The NFL’s first game in Australia. Rams and 49ers at the MCG, a genuine divisional matchup rather than a neutral-site novelty.
- Mahomes returns. The Chiefs quarterback is back Week 1 after missing time with a knee injury.
- Two divisional openers in primetime. Cowboys at Giants on Sunday night, Broncos at Chiefs on Monday.
- The Rams are the favourites. Los Angeles opened the season as the betting favourite to win Super Bowl LXI.
When Does the Rest of the Season Run?
The 2026 regular season runs from 9 September through 10 January 2027 across 18 weeks and 272 games. The playoffs begin 16 January 2027. Super Bowl LXI is on 14 February 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
For the full week by week breakdown, see our complete 2026 NFL schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
Wednesday 9 September 2026, with the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. It is the first Wednesday season opener since 2012.
Why does the NFL season start on a Wednesday this year?
To make room for the league’s first regular-season game in Australia the following night. Moving the opener to Wednesday gives the 49ers and Rams a clear Thursday window at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
How many games are in NFL Week 1?
16 games across four days, from Wednesday 9 September to Monday 14 September.
What is the NFL Week 1 game in Australia?
San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday 10 September, 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix. Local kickoff is Friday 11 September at 10:35 a.m. AEST.
What is the Sunday Night Football game in Week 1?
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Who plays on Monday Night Football in Week 1?
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and ESPN2.
Kickoff times and broadcast assignments are subject to change. Sunday afternoon CBS and FOX games are regional and availability depends on your market. If you are betting on these games, you must be 21 or older and located in a state where sports betting is legal. Please gamble responsibly. If gambling stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER for confidential support.
