When does the NFL regular season begins? What to know about 2026 season opener, week 1 dates, schedule release





The 2025 NFL season is in the Books now, as Seattle Seahawks are the Super Bowl Champions.

The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions for the second time in franchise history following a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots. Neither team’s offense scored a touchdown until two were scored on consecutive possessions to open the fourth quarter – and then only once more.

The Seahawks showed why they ended the regular season with the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL on Sunday, holding the Patriots scoreless over the first three quarters of action.

Seattle forced three turnovers and sacked Maye six times. On offense, Kenneth Walker III earned Super Bowl MVP honors by rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries. He also caught two passes for 26 yards.



There will be free agency, the 2026 NFL Draft, training camps and plenty of drama before the ball is kicked off again in the preseason.

Those exhibition games will eventually give way to meaningful football, but it'll be a while. Here's what to know about when you can expect the 2026 NFL regular season to begin.



When does the 2026 NFL regular season start?


The 2026 NFL regular is set to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day with the remainder of the teams clashing over the weekend.

Week 1: Wednesday, Sept. 9 to Monday, Sept. 14

The Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks will host the annual NFL Kickoff Game to begin the 2026 season. They'll host the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch to kick off the Week 1 action.


One day later, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet in Melbourne, Australia, for the first regular-season NFL game to ever take place down under. That game will be broadcast on Netflix and is the last weekday game in Week 1.

The remainder of Week 1's slate will take place on Sunday, Sept. 13 and end with "Monday Night Football" on Sept. 14.

Regardless, fans should expect the games to be spread out across more than just the typical Thursday, Sunday and Monday action to get everyone back into the swing of things.

When is the NFL schedule release 2026?


The NFL schedule is typically released in the spring. This NFL Schedule was released on 14th May, 2026..




NFL Week 1 games, times, date, TV channels, how to watch


All times ET.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)


Thursday, Sept. 10

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia), 8:35 p.m. ET (Netflix)


Sunday, Sept. 13

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)


Monday, Sept. 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC) 


When does the 2026 NFL Preseason start?





How to watch NFL Week 1 games


Throughout the 2026-27 season, the NFL will air games through a variety of streaming services, including Peacock, Fubo TV, and NFL Network. Different games will be featured on different platforms.




______