A primetime lineup for 2026
The NFL has unveiled its 2026 Sunday Night Football schedule, confirming that the league’s flagship primetime slot will once again be shared between NBC and its streaming platform Peacock.
The season will open with a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s Super Bowl LX, pitting the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks on September 9. The game promises to set the tone for a year packed with classic rivalries and matchups that could shape the playoff picture.
Broadcasts will typically begin at 8:20 p.m. Eastern Time, translating to 5:20 p.m. Pacific, giving viewers a consistent window to tune in each week.
While the full slate is anchored by predetermined dates, the league has indicated that several games will remain flexible, allowing NBC to shift contests to later slots if storylines demand it.
Among the marquee matchups are a Week 2 showdown between the Indianapolis Colts and the Kansas City Chiefs, a Week 6 clash featuring the Dallas Cowboys at the Green Bay Packers, and a Thanksgiving night encounter between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. The schedule also includes a Mexico City edition of Sunday Night Football, highlighting the league’s international reach.
Streaming options will be available through Peacock, ensuring that cord‑cutters can still follow every primetime contest. The league emphasized that the schedule reflects a balance of tradition and new storytelling opportunities, with holiday games and cross‑country travel built into the calendar.