Overview
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that the full 2026 slate is expected to drop between May 12 and May 14.
- The season will kick off on Wednesday, September 9, at Lumen Field in Seattle with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks hosting an opponent still to be named.
- The opener shifts to Wednesday to accommodate Week 1 in Australia, where Rams–49ers in Melbourne will air Thursday at 8:35 p.m. ET and play Friday morning local time.
- The 2026 regular season will feature 272 games and a record nine international matchups across Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom, with most visiting teams, dates and times still pending.
- The league will bring back a Christmas tripleheader, is weighing a first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game and a possible second Black Friday game, and will end multiple Monday night doubleheaders starting this season.