A Blockbuster Opening
The NFL’s 2026 campaign will burst onto the calendar on Wednesday, September 9, with a high‑profile Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, marking the start of a new chapter for the league.
That opening night kicks off a stretch of 21 consecutive Sundays without a break, spanning 18 regular‑season weeks and three playoff weekends, for a total of 272 contests that will see each franchise play 17 games and enjoy a single bye week.
Broadcast, Streaming, and Global Reach
Fans across the United States will follow the action on the traditional broadcast partners—Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN and ABC—while a new wave of streaming services, including Prime Video, Netflix and Peacock, will carry select matchups, expanding access beyond the over‑the‑air lineup.
Netflix is slated to air five games, headlined by the league’s inaugural contest in Australia on Thursday, September 10, and will also broadcast the Green Bay Packers’ Thanksgiving‑eve showdown with the Los Angeles Rams and a Christmas night game against the Chicago Bears, underscoring the platform’s growing role in the NFL’s media strategy.
Week 1’s schedule is unusually diverse, featuring midweek contests on Wednesday and Thursday before the customary Sunday kickoff, with game times ranging from noon to 7:20 p.m. Central Time, giving viewers a varied slate of start times to tune into.
College football fans will also get a taste of the fall on September 6, as the Wisconsin Badgers meet the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field in a 6:30 p.m. Central showdown that promises a packed house in Green Bay and adds a traditional rivalry to the opening weekend.