The NFL schedule 2026 is almost here, with football fans preparing for the opening week of the new season. The regular season begins on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, giving fans a packed slate of NFL games across four days.
For anyone asking when does NFL season start, the answer is September 9, when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of the previous season’s Super Bowl.
When Does the NFL Season Start?
So, when does the NFL season start? The 2026 NFL regular season officially begins on Wednesday, September 9.
The opening matchup features the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks, with kickoff scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Central Time. The game will be televised nationally on NBC.
The 2026 campaign will feature 272 regular-season games over 18 weeks. Each NFL team will play 17 games and have one bye week during the regular season.
That means the long wait for NFL football games today is nearly over.
NFL Schedule Today: Are There Any NFL Games on September 6?
Fans searching for the NFL schedule today on Sunday, September 6, will have to wait a few more days.
There are no NFL games today. September 6 is the final Sunday without an NFL game before the regular season begins.
The first Sunday NFL slate arrives on September 13, with 14 games scheduled throughout the day.
So, if you’re wondering what football games are on today, there are no NFL matchups on the schedule. College football provides some action, but NFL fans will have to wait until Wednesday.
When Is the First NFL Game of the Season?
The first NFL game of the season is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9.
The matchup is:
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Time: 7:20 p.m. CT
Network: NBC
It will be an intriguing opening-night rematch between the teams that met in the previous Super Bowl.
NFL Week 1 Schedule 2026
The NFL Week 1 schedule is spread across Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday.
Wednesday, September 9
- New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks — 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
Thursday, September 10
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams — 7:35 p.m. CT, Netflix
- The game will be played in Melbourne, Australia.
This matchup will make history as the first NFL game played in Australia.
Sunday, September 13
The majority of the NFL games in Week 1 arrive Sunday.
- Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers — Noon CT, FOX
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals — Noon CT, FOX
- New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions — Noon CT, FOX
- Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans — Noon CT, CBS
- Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts — Noon CT, CBS
- Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars — Noon CT, CBS
- Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers — Noon CT, FOX
- New York Jets at Tennessee Titans — Noon CT, CBS
- Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers — 3:25 p.m. CT, CBS
- Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders — 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX
- Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings — 3:25 p.m. CT, CBS
- Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles — 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX
- Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants — 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC
Monday, September 14
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs — 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN/ABC
Colts Begin 2026 Season Against Ravens
One of the notable games on the NFL football schedule is the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Colts will host Baltimore on Sunday, September 13, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET.
Indianapolis enters the new season looking to rebound after a disappointing finish in 2025. The Colts started last season 8-2 but struggled after quarterback Daniel Jones dealt with injuries and ultimately missed the playoffs.
The opening game against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens gives Indianapolis an immediate test.
Colts Face Chiefs in Week 2
The Colts don’t get an easy start to the season.
After facing Baltimore in Week 1, Indianapolis will play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, September 20, in a Week 2 edition of Sunday Night Football.
That game could provide another major storyline, with Patrick Mahomes and Daniel Jones both looking to return to top form.
Where to Watch NFL Games in 2026
Fans will have several options for watching the NFL schedule this week and throughout the 2026 season.
Sunday afternoon games will primarily be shown on FOX and CBS, while Sunday Night Football will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.
Monday Night Football games will be available on ESPN and ABC.
Netflix will also have a larger role this season, streaming five NFL games, including the Week 1 San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams matchup in Australia.
Thursday Night Football moves to Prime Video beginning in Week 2.
NFL Schedule 2026: What Fans Should Know
The NFL schedule 2026 provides an unusual start to the season, with the opening game taking place on Wednesday rather than Thursday.
The season-opening Patriots-Seahawks matchup is followed by the 49ers-Rams international game on Thursday before the traditional Sunday schedule arrives.
For fans searching when does NFL start, when is the first NFL game of the season, or what football games are on today, the key dates are simple:
- NFL season starts: September 9, 2026
- First game: Patriots vs. Seahawks
- NFL Week 1 Sunday: September 13
- Week 1 finale: Broncos vs. Chiefs on September 14
- Regular season: 18 weeks
- Games per team: 17
With the 2026 season just days away, NFL fans won’t have to wait much longer for the return of Sunday football, primetime matchups and the race toward the Super Bowl.
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