The NFL Week 1 schedule opens on Wednesday, September 9 when the New England Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. The week 1 NFL schedule also features a historic international game in Melbourne, Australia, plus the full Sunday and Monday Night Football slate.
NFL Week 1 Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | at New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks | 8:20pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Thursday | vs San Francisco 49ers vs LA Rams (Melbourne, Australia) | 8:35pm ETNetflix | ||
| Sunday | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at NY Jets at Tennessee Titans | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings | 4:25pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Arizona Cardinals at LA Chargers | 4:25pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Dallas Cowboys at NY Giants | 8:20pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Monday | at Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15pm ETESPN/ABC |
NFL Schedule Week 1 Breakdown
Wednesday, September 9
New England at Seattle kicks off the season in prime time on NBC/Peacock.
Thursday, September 10
San Francisco vs. LA Rams in Melbourne, Australia, airs exclusively on Netflix at 8:35 p.m. ET — the first regular-season NFL game in Australia.
Sunday, September 13
A full slate of 13 games includes eight 1:00 p.m. ET contests on FOX and CBS, four 4:25 p.m. ET games, and the Sunday Night Football matchup of Dallas at the NY Giants on NBC/Peacock.
Monday, September 14
Denver at Kansas City closes the week 1 NFL schedule on ESPN/ABC at 8:15 p.m. ET.
NFL Schedule Week 1: A Season Opener Like No Other
The 2026 NFL season kicks off with a schedule that breaks from tradition in more ways than one. Rather than the usual Thursday night curtain-raiser, the league has shifted the opening game to Wednesday, September 9, when the New England Patriots travel to face the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET, with the game airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. For long-time fans accustomed to a Thursday start, this midweek opener adds a fresh twist to the start of the football calendar.
Seattle’s home crowd has always been one of the toughest environments in the league, and getting that kind of atmosphere on a Wednesday night with the whole football world watching only raises the stakes. It also means fans, sports bars, and fantasy leagues will have to shuffle their usual Thursday routine a couple of days earlier just this once — a small change, but one that gives the new season an unusual, almost unfamiliar feel before a single snap is even played.
Key Games to Watch in NFL Schedule Week 1
- New England at Seattle (Wed) — Season opener on national television.
- San Francisco vs. LA Rams (Thu, Melbourne) — Historic international matchup on Netflix.
- Dallas at NY Giants (Sun Night) — NFC East rivalry in prime time.
- Denver at Kansas City (Mon Night) — AFC West battle to close the week.
Where to Watch NFL Schedule Week 1
Confirmed networks for the NFL Week 1 schedule:
- NBC/Peacock (Wednesday opener + Sunday Night Football)
- Netflix (Thursday international game)
- FOX & CBS (Sunday afternoon)
- ESPN/ABC (Monday Night Football)
The NFL Week 1 schedule sets the tone with a mix of traditional openers, an international showcase, and high-profile primetime games.
FAQ
When does the NFL Week 1 schedule start?
The NFL Week 1 schedule begins on Wednesday, September 9 with New England at Seattle at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
What is the international game in Week 1 NFL?
San Francisco vs. LA Rams will be played in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET and airs on Netflix.
What is the Monday Night Football game in the Week 1 NFL schedule?
Denver visits Kansas City on Monday, September 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
How many games are in the NFL Week 1 schedule?
The NFL Week 1 schedule features 16 games across Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and Monday.