NBC unveils its 2026 Sunday Night Football schedule
The 2026 NFL season opens with a high‑stakes showdown on Wednesday, September 9, as the New England Patriots host the Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl 60 rematch that will be broadcast as part of the league’s prime‑time kickoff.
Just a few days later, the first traditional Sunday Night Football contest arrives on September 13, pitting the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants in a clash of two of the league’s most storied franchises.
NBC has secured three prime‑time slots for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys throughout the season, underscoring the network’s confidence in these teams to draw viewers week after week.
One of the Chiefs’ three appearances will take place on Thanksgiving night, November 26, giving fans a festive football tradition to look forward to as the holiday weekend unfolds.
Conversely, the 2026 schedule leaves out a handful of clubs — the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans — meaning none of their games will be featured on Sunday Night Football.
The absence of certain teams shapes the narrative of the season
While the lack of appearances may disappoint some fan bases, it also opens opportunities for other franchises to step into the spotlight and for NBC to showcase a diverse array of storylines across the schedule.