The 2026 NFL regular season opens earlier than usual and with a twist. For the first time since 2012 the league kicks off on a Wednesday night, and it does so with a Super Bowl rematch.
The NFL Week 1 Schedule begins Wednesday, September 9, when the New England Patriots visit the defending champion Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Seattle won Super Bowl LX last February, and the league is following tradition by giving the champions the honor of opening the new season at home.
One night later the action moves halfway around the world. The San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET. The game will stream exclusively on Netflix, marking another step in the NFL’s international expansion.
The bulk of the Week 1 NFL (NFL schedule week 1) slate arrives on Sunday, September 13, with a full afternoon and evening of games across FOX, CBS and NBC. Monday Night Football closes the week on September 14 when the Denver Broncos visit the Kansas City Chiefs.
Full NFL Week 1 Schedule 2026
Wednesday, September 9 New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks 8:20 p.m. ET – NBC / Peacock
Thursday, September 10 San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia) 8:35 p.m. ET – Netflix
Sunday, September 13 1:00 p.m. ET Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – FOX Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals – FOX New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions – FOX Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – FOX Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – CBS Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts – CBS Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – CBS New York Jets at Tennessee Titans – CBS
4:25 p.m. ET 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 Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants – NBC / Peacock
Monday, September 14 Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs 8:15 p.m. ET – ESPN / ABC
How to watch every Week 1 game
NBC games stream on Peacock. CBS games stream on Paramount+. FOX games are available on the FOX app and FOX One where offered. ESPN/ABC Monday Night Football streams on the ESPN app and Fubo. The Melbourne game is exclusive to Netflix.
More: 2026 NFL Schedule: Complete Team-by-Team Season Guide
Most live-TV streaming services that carry the major networks (Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream) will have the regional and national packages. NFL+ offers mobile streaming of local and primetime games for subscribers.
Why this opener feels different
A Wednesday start is rare. The last time the league opened mid-week was 2012. Pairing it with a Super Bowl rematch gives the season an immediate storyline. Seattle raises its second championship banner in front of a national audience while New England tries to rewrite the ending from February.
The Australia game the following night continues the NFL’s push into new markets. Playing at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on a Thursday night (Friday morning local time) creates a unique viewing experience for fans on both sides of the Pacific.
Sunday’s doubleheader windows and the national night games follow the familiar rhythm, but the early-week action already sets 2026 apart.
MORE: 2026 NFL Schedule: Complete Team-by-Team Season Guide
Mark the calendar. The 2026 season is less than three weeks away, and the NFL Week 1 Schedule already delivers drama before most teams have even finalized their 53-man rosters.
FAQ
When does the 2026 NFL season start? Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.
What is the full NFL Week 1 Schedule 2026? The slate runs from Wednesday, Sept. 9 through Monday, Sept. 14 and includes the Super Bowl rematch, an Australia game, a full Sunday slate, and Monday Night Football.
How to watch the Melbourne game? The 49ers vs. Rams game in Australia streams exclusively on Netflix at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 10.
Which networks carry Week 1 NFL games? NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN/ABC and Netflix share the Week 1 package, with corresponding streaming options on Peacock, Paramount+, FOX platforms, the ESPN app and Netflix.
