The NFL has released its 2026 Sunday Night Football slate, promising a season that stretches across 18 primetime contests. The schedule kicks off with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, setting the tone for a year of marquee matchups.
All of the games will be carried by NBC and its streaming platform Peacock, ensuring that viewers can follow the action across both traditional television and digital channels. The opening night will also feature a Super Bowl rematch as the New England Patriots travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9.
Thanksgiving night will showcase a clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, a game that will air on NBC and draw a national audience. In addition, a Saturday doubleheader on January 2 will see a 4:30 p.m. ET contest on NBC followed by a Peacock‑only broadcast at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Flexibility remains a key component of the lineup. The league has indicated that certain weeks, including Week 5, may see games moved to a different time slot based on competitive considerations, with the final say resting with the NFL.
Key matchups
The regular season will wrap up in Week 18 with a game selected for Sunday Night Football that will be influenced by playoff implications, adding a layer of drama to the final stretch. Other highlighted pairings include the Indianapolis Colts taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams facing the Denver Broncos.