The 2026 NFL season will begin on Wednesday, September 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX [1, 2, 3]. The Seahawks won that February championship game 29-13, securing their second NFL title [1, 3].

This opening game marks only the second time since 2012 that the NFL season has kicked off midweek, highlighting the league’s continuing tweaks to the schedule [1, 2]. The Seahawks enter Week 1 as 3.5-point favorites at home against the Patriots [3]. Since 2004, defending Super Bowl champions have a 16-5 record in season openers, and in Super Bowl rematches specifically, the defending champions lead 8-3 [2, 3].

The full 2026 NFL schedule was unveiled on May 14 by league officials [1, 2]. It features a record 272 regular season games, including nine international contests — the most ever for a single season [1, 2]. One highlight among these global matchups is the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Rams on September 10 in Melbourne, Australia [1, 2, 4].

Other notable Week 1 games include the Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants Sunday night showdown, Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, and the Las Vegas Raiders hosting the Miami Dolphins with the No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza on the sidelines [1]. The Thanksgiving tripleheader will feature a Bills vs. Chiefs game, among others [1].

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will make his first appearance since missing part of the draft earlier this year to seek counseling after a controversy involving reporter Dianna Russini [1, 2].

NFL executive Hans Schroeder said, “Yes, it was definitely a key data point for us. We saw what a big draw that was and so we just thought it was really fun. I think it's been a decade since we did Denver and Carolina in Super Bowl 50 and came back in Week 1 the next year. We thought it was a fun way to start the season again with New England in Seattle, coming off that Super Bowl, certainly a ton to play for. Let our fans see if they play again” [1, 2].

The 2026 NFL season officially starts September 9 with the Seahawks hosting the Patriots in Seattle.