When Does the NFL Season Start? 2026 Week 1 Schedule, TV Channels & How to Watch Every Game | Just Jared

The 2026 NFL season is almost here!

After months without regular-season football, the NFL will officially kick off its 107th season on Wednesday, September 9, with a rematch of the 2026 Super Bowl.

The defending champion Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots in the NFL Kickoff Game, just seven months after Seattle defeated New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX. The game begins at 8:20 p.m. ET and will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.

That’s only the beginning of an unusual Week 1 schedule, which includes the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia, a full slate of Sunday games and a big Monday Night Football matchup.

Keep reading to find out when the 2026 NFL season starts and see the complete Week 1 schedule, including start times, TV channels and streaming information…

When Does the 2026 NFL Season Start?

The 2026 NFL regular season begins Wednesday, September 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET when the New England Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

The rare Wednesday night opener will air nationally on NBC and stream on Peacock, with NFL+ also streaming the game on mobile devices.

One night later, football heads overseas as the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.

The historic game marks the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Australia and will stream nationally on Netflix in the United States. NFL+ subscribers can also watch the game live on mobile devices.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 10, which will be Friday morning in Melbourne.

Complete NFL Week 1 Schedule for 2026

Here’s every game scheduled for Week 1:

Wednesday, September 9

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, NFL+ on mobile devices

Thursday, September 10

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams – Melbourne, Australia
Time: 8:35 p.m. ET
Streaming: Netflix, NFL+ on mobile devices

Sunday, September 13 – 1 p.m. ET

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers – FOX

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals – FOX

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions – FOX

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans – CBS

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts – CBS

Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – CBS

Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – FOX

New York Jets at Tennessee Titans – CBS

Sunday, September 13 – 4:25 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers – CBS

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders – FOX

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings – CBS

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles – FOX

Sunday Night Football – Sunday, September 13

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, NFL+ on mobile devices

Monday Night Football – Monday, September 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Streaming: NFL+ on mobile devices

How to Watch NFL Games in 2026

NFL games will once again be spread across several networks and streaming services during the 2026 season.

Sunday afternoon games will primarily air regionally on CBS and FOX, while Sunday Night Football airs on NBC and streams on Peacock.

Monday Night Football will air across ESPN and select games on ABC, while Thursday Night Football games later in the season will primarily stream on Prime Video.

Fans can also watch eligible games through NFL+, while NFL Sunday Ticket provides access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. The NFL’s official viewing guide also lists Paramount+, FOX One, Peacock, ESPN, Prime Video and Netflix among its streaming options for the season.

Week 1 is slightly different because there is no traditional Thursday Night Football game on Prime Video. Instead, the 49ers-Rams matchup in Australia will be available on Netflix.

What NFL Game Is on Netflix in Week 1?

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play the first NFL game on Netflix of the 2026 regular season.

The NFC West rivals will face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET / 5:35 p.m. PT.

The game will be available live on Netflix and marks the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.

Netflix will carry additional NFL games later in the season, including games on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Day.

What Is the Sunday Night Football Game for Week 1?

The Dallas Cowboys will visit the New York Giants for the first Sunday Night Football game of the season.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 13 at MetLife Stadium. The game airs on NBC and streams on Peacock and NFL+.

What Is the Monday Night Football Game for Week 1?

The Denver Broncos will visit the Kansas City Chiefs to close out Week 1 on Monday, September 14.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, with NFL+ also listed as an option.

One major storyline heading into the game will be the status of Patrick Mahomes, who is attempting to return after suffering ACL and LCL injuries last season.

The NFL regular season will run for 18 weeks before the playoffs begin in January 2027.

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Posted To:Football Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Rams New England Patriots nfl Patrick Mahomes San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Sports Television