The NFL has unveiled its 2026 schedule, marking a historic expansion of its global footprint with nine overseas contests, the first of which will be played in Australia and France. This represents the league’s most ambitious international campaign to date, spreading games across seven countries on four continents.
A Global Calendar
The season will open on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, a deliberate shift to avoid clashes with U.S. broadcasting regulations. The opening game will be a rematch of the previous Super Bowl, setting a high‑stakes tone for the year.
Thanksgiving week will showcase five games, headlined by a triple‑header and a Black Friday showdown, while Christmas Day will feature its own triple‑header, streamed live on Netflix and Amazon Prime to reach a worldwide audience.
Broadcast Innovations
The holiday double‑header will be available on both Netflix and Amazon Prime, marking the first time the league has partnered with streaming giants for live regular‑season broadcasts. This move underscores the NFL’s commitment to expanding its digital presence beyond traditional U.S. networks.
The regular season will consist of 272 games spread over 18 weeks, with each of the 32 teams playing 17 contests. The schedule’s density ensures that fans in every market will have ample opportunities to experience live football.
The Road to Super Bowl 61
Playoffs are slated to begin on January 16, 2027, culminating in Super Bowl 61 on February 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The venue, shared by the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, is the world’s most expensive stadium, having cost an estimated $5.5 billion to construct.
Beyond the United States, the league will stage games in Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom, ensuring a truly global showcase of the sport. Each of these locations will host at least one regular‑season contest, reinforcing the NFL’s strategy of embedding itself in diverse sporting cultures.