The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots. The regular season runs through January 10, 2027, the playoffs begin January 16, 2027, and Super Bowl LXI is on February 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The 2026 NFL Schedule is officially out, and it is one of the most exciting, globe-spanning, and holiday-packed slates in the league's 107-year history. Whether you're trying to plan your game-day calendar, nail down fantasy football bye weeks, or score the best seats for a marquee matchup, this is the only guide you need.
From the full 2026 NFL season schedule by week to ticket price comparisons, international games, Thanksgiving showdowns, and Christmas Day triple-headers, we've covered every angle. Let's dive in.
What Is the 2026 NFL Schedule Release Date?
The NFL officially released the full 2026 schedule on May 14, 2026, following a multi-day rollout that saw individual matchups and primetime slots teased to build fan anticipation. The schedule release has become one of the league's biggest offseason events, complete with team social media reveals, primetime television specials, and immediate movement across the ticket market.
How the NFL Builds Its Schedule (AWS + 26,000 Factors)
Building the NFL calendar is no small feat. The league uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to crunch roughly a quadrillion possible schedule combinations each season, factoring in over 26,000 variables including stadium availability, travel distances, divisional rivalries, primetime game slots, and competitive fairness. The result is the 272-game regular-season slate that fans now get to dissect all offseason long.
2026 NFL Season Key Dates & Calendar
Here's every major date on the NFL Calendar 2026. Bookmark this table and come back to it all season long.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Hall of Fame Game (Preseason) | Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| Preseason Begins | August 2026 |
| Regular Season Kickoff | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Regular Season End (Week 18) | January 9–10, 2027 |
| Wild Card Weekend | January 16–18, 2027 |
| Divisional Round | January 24–25, 2027 |
| AFC & NFC Championship Games | February 1, 2027 |
| Pro Bowl | February 2027 (TBD) |
| Super Bowl LXI | February 14, 2027 |
2026 NFL Preseason Schedule & Hall of Fame Game
The NFL's 2026 preseason action kicks off early with the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 6, featuring the Carolina Panthers taking on the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. This game is one of the most affordable ways to see live NFL action and a great option for fans looking for a budget-friendly experience before the regular season heats up.
2026 NFL Regular Season: Start Date, Week Count & Format
The 2026 NFL Season Schedule runs 18 weeks with each of the 32 teams playing 17 regular-season games. For the sixth consecutive year, teams will also play three preseason games. The NFC will serve as the home conference for the 17th cross-conference game in 2026.
2026 NFL Week 18 & Regular Season End Date
The regular season wraps up on January 9–10, 2027, with all 16 division games played simultaneously — three on Saturday and 13 on Sunday — to ensure competitive integrity heading into the playoffs.
2026 NFL Season Opener: Seahawks vs. Patriots
The 2026 NFL season opens in Seattle with a Super Bowl rematch that football fans have circled since February. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9, marking the first time since 2016 the league has opened its season with two former Super Bowl opponents squaring off.
The opener holds extra historical weight: since 2004, defending Super Bowl champions have gone 16-5 in season kickoff games. Expect a packed Lumen Field, a banner ceremony, and a festive atmosphere that only the opening night of the NFL season can deliver.
Why the 2026 Season Starts on a Wednesday
It's an unusual midweek start, and it's deliberate. The day shift accommodates the first-ever NFL regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia, where the Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET. Melbourne sits 14–17 hours ahead of U.S. time zones, meaning kickoff lands at 10:35 a.m. local time the following morning in Australia. It's a landmark moment in the NFL's global expansion strategy.
Full 2026 NFL Schedule by Week
Here's your essential week-by-week breakdown of the full 2026 NFL schedule, with major matchups and key dates flagged throughout.
Week 1 — September 9–11, 2026
The opening week packs in a Wednesday night kickoff (Seahawks-Patriots), the historic Thursday international game in Melbourne (Rams vs. 49ers), a full Sunday slate, and Monday Night Football — where Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs welcome the Denver Broncos to Arrowhead Stadium in a marquee AFC West opener.
Weeks 2–6: Early Season Storylines
The early-season stretch sets the tone for playoff races. International games in London and Germany slot into Weeks 4–6, with the Jacksonville Jaguars anchoring the London slate for back-to-back appearances. Cowboys road games, early division clashes, and a brutal September for the Indianapolis Colts (facing Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and the Houston defense in three straight games) make these weeks compelling right from the start.
Weeks 7–11: Midseason & Rivalry Run
The Eagles-Cowboys rivalry lights up Sunday Night Football in Week 7. Flex scheduling officially begins, meaning the league can move high-stakes games to primetime windows. The international schedule wraps in Week 11 with a Sunday Night Football matchup in Mexico City, the first game at Estadio Banorte since 2022 — as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Minnesota Vikings.
Weeks 12–14: Thanksgiving Week Through the Stretch Run
Week 12 is Thanksgiving week, and for the first time ever, the NFL is delivering five games across four days. After the extended holiday weekend, Weeks 13–14 shift into the stretch run, where AFC and NFC playoff races begin to crystallize. Short turnarounds, cold-weather games, and tightening standings make this one of the most emotionally charged stretches on the NFL Matchups 2026 calendar.
Weeks 15–18: Playoff Push & Season Finale
Christmas falls in Week 16, bringing a triple-header on Friday, December 25. By Week 17 and the regular-season finale in Week 18, every game carries playoff seeding implications. Flex scheduling may move several marquee games to Saturday or primetime slots. January 9–10, 2027, closes the book on the regular season.
2026 NFL International Games Schedule
The 2026 NFL international games schedule is a record-breaker. The league is staging nine games across four continents and seven countries, the most ambitious global footprint in NFL history.
| Week | Matchup | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Rams vs. 49ers | Melbourne, Australia | Sept. 10 |
| Week 4 | TBD vs. TBD | London, England | Oct. 2026 |
| Week 5 | TBD vs. TBD | London, England | Oct. 2026 |
| Week 6 | TBD vs. TBD | Frankfurt, Germany | Oct. 18 |
| Week 7 | TBD vs. TBD | International | Oct. 2026 |
| Week 8–11 | Multiple | Various | Oct.–Nov. 2026 |
| Week 11 | 49ers vs. Vikings | Mexico City, Mexico | Nov. 2026 |
NFL in Australia 2026: Rams vs. 49ers in Melbourne
The Melbourne game is the headline international event of the 2026 NFL season schedule. It's the first time the NFL has ever played a regular-season game on Australian soil, and the Rams-49ers rivalry, which already produced three classics in 2025, including an NFC Championship game, gives the moment serious star power.
NFL London Games 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue their tradition as the league's London ambassadors, playing back-to-back games in England during the 2026 season. London games have become reliable sellouts with a passionate British fan base that has been cultivating NFL love for nearly two decades.
NFL Germany Game 2026
Frankfurt's Deutsche Bank Park hosts an NFL game again in Week 6, continuing the league's successful German expansion that has drawn record-setting crowds since 2022.
NFL Mexico City Game 2026
The NFL returns to Estadio Banorte in Mexico City for the first time since 2022 in Week 11, with the 49ers hosting the Vikings on Sunday Night Football (NBC). It's one of the most anticipated international matchups of the season.
Fantasy Football Impact of International Games
International kickoff times create real lineup headaches for fantasy managers. The Melbourne game kicks off at a U.S.-friendly 8:35 p.m. ET Thursday, but depending on your platform's lock times, players in that game may be locked out of their lineups earlier than expected. Set calendar reminders for every international game and check lineup lock times weekly.
2026 NFL Prime Time Games Schedule
The NFL Prime Time Games 2026 lineup is stacked from Week 1 through the final Sunday of the regular season.
Thursday Night Football Schedule 2026 (Amazon Prime)
Amazon Prime Video carries Thursday Night Football exclusively, starting with an early-season opener. TNF is eligible for flex scheduling from Week 14 onward, meaning Amazon could end up with some of the most important late-season games. Notable TNF matchups include the Black Friday Steelers-Broncos game and several division clashes in December.
Sunday Night Football Schedule 2026 (NBC/Peacock)
NBC's SNF remains the most-watched primetime program in American television. The 2026 slate includes the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry in Week 7, the Mexico City game in Week 11, and a loaded stretch of late-season flexed games. SNF has flex scheduling rights from Week 5 onward and can upgrade any game to the Sunday night slot through Week 17.
Monday Night Football Schedule 2026 (ESPN/ABC)
ESPN and ABC share Monday Night Football in 2026, with the double-header format returning for select weeks. MNF kicks off the season with the Chiefs-Broncos AFC West matchup in Week 1 and carries several key divisional games through the stretch run.
2026 NFL Thanksgiving Games Schedule
For the first time in league history, the NFL is offering fans five games across four days during Thanksgiving week — a true feast for football fans.
Thanksgiving Eve Game 2026: Packers vs. Rams (Netflix)
Wednesday, November 25 | 8 p.m. ET | Netflix The NFL's brand-new Thanksgiving Eve game is an instant classic matchup on paper: Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers travel to SoFi Stadium to face reigning AP NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. It streams exclusively on Netflix — so make sure your subscription is active before you sit down to it.
Biggest Games on the 2026 NFL Schedule
With 272 games on the calendar, a few rise above the rest as true must-watch events on the NFL Matchups 2026 slate.
Top Rivalry Games of the 2026 NFL Season
Eagles vs. Cowboys
— Twice, including Thanksgiving and an SNF appearance
49ers vs. Rams
— Melbourne opener + a Christmas Day rematch
Seahawks vs. Patriots
— Season-opening Super Bowl rematch
Chiefs vs. Bills
— Thanksgiving night marquee matchup
Bears vs. Lions
— Thanksgiving Day + Christmas Day on Netflix
Best Quarterback Matchups in 2026
The 2026 season is loaded with elite QB showdowns. Mahomes vs. Allen on Thanksgiving night is the headliner, but Stafford vs. Love on Thanksgiving Eve and the Rams-49ers rivalry games offer just as much intrigue. Lamar Jackson appears in several primetime windows, and the return of Daniel Jones from injury for Indianapolis adds a compelling storyline to the Colts' brutal early schedule.
Revenge Games & Storylines to Watch
The Patriots get the toughest possible season-opener — walking into the home of the team that just beat them in the Super Bowl. The Colts face what may be the hardest September schedule in the league. And the Seahawks, as defending champs, carry a target on their backs from Week 1 through January. These narrative threads make the full 2026 NFL schedule appointment viewing from the very first snap.
Where to Watch the 2026 NFL Season
The NFL remains the only major sports league that carries all regular-season and postseason games on free, over-the-air television in local markets. Here's your full broadcast guide:
| Platform | Games Covered |
|---|---|
| CBS / Paramount+ | AFC games, Thanksgiving Game 1, Wild Card |
| Fox | NFC games, Thanksgiving Game 2 |
| NBC / Peacock | Sunday Night Football, Thanksgiving Game 3 |
| ESPN / ABC | Monday Night Football |
| Amazon Prime Video | Thursday Night Football, Black Friday Game |
| Netflix | Thanksgiving Eve Game, Christmas Day (Bears vs. Packers) |
| NFL Network | Select international and preseason games |
Westwood One carries every primetime game on radio and digital, including the entire NFL Playoff schedule.
NFL+ Streaming: How to Watch Every 2026 NFL Game
NFL+ offers mobile streaming of every local and primetime game, plus full replays and NFL Network content. For out-of-market fans looking to follow a specific team all season long, NFL+ Premium adds full-game replays and expanded content. Streaming bundles through YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo TV are also strong options for cord-cutters.
How to Buy 2026 NFL Tickets
Ready to be there in person? Here's everything you need to know to buy 2026 NFL tickets at the best possible price — from the season opener to Super Bowl LXI.
Official Ticket Sources: NFL.com, Ticketmaster & Team Sites
The primary market for 2026 NFL tickets runs through official team websites and the NFL's ticketing partner. Face-value tickets for popular games tend to sell out quickly — especially season openers, primetime games, and rivalry matchups. All-in pricing means you'll see fees included upfront, with no surprise charges at checkout. The average primary ticket for a regular-season NFL game ranges between $145 and $430, with all fees included in the listed price.
2026 NFL Ticket Price Analysis: What to Expect by Game Type
Before you buy, it helps to know the pricing landscape. We analyzed listings across major ticketing platforms to give you a realistic picture of what 2026 NFL tickets cost at every level.
| Game Type | Get-In Price (Avg) | Mid-Range Seat | Premium / Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season (Low Demand) | $29–$54 | $80–$150 | $250–$400+ |
| Regular Season (Primetime / Rivalry) | $145–$250 | $300–$500 | $600–$1,200+ |
| Thanksgiving / Christmas Games | $200–$400 | $500–$900 | $1,200–$2,500+ |
| Wild Card / Divisional Round | $120–$180 | $270–$500 | $600–$1,500+ |
| Conference Championships | $300–$600 | $700–$1,200 | $2,000–$4,000+ |
| Super Bowl LXI | $4,500+ | $7,000–$9,000 | $12,000–$30,000+ |
One platform distinction worth knowing: some sites display all-in pricing (fees included upfront), while others add service charges at checkout — making the sticker price lower than what you'll actually pay. Always compare final checkout prices, not headline prices. To get the full picture across multiple platforms at once, Compare Event Tickets Across Major Sites before you buy.
Best NFL Games to Attend in Person in 2026
Not every game is created equal. Here are the top picks for an unforgettable in-person NFL experience in 2026:
Seahawks vs. Patriots — Season Opener (Sept. 9)
— Banner ceremony, Super Bowl rematch energy, and the best atmosphere of Week 1
Chiefs vs. Bills — Thanksgiving Night (Nov. 26)
— The game of the year, in primetime, on Turkey Day
Rams vs. Seahawks — Christmas Day
— An NFC Championship rematch on the holiday slate
Eagles vs. Cowboys — Thanksgiving (Nov. 26, 4:30 p.m.)
— AT&T Stadium at full roar for the NFC East's biggest rivalry
49ers vs. Vikings — Mexico City (Week 11)
— A bucket-list international game experience
How to Get 2026 NFL International Game Tickets
Attending an NFL game abroad requires a bit more planning than a domestic game. The NFL offers official international ticket packages through its partner hospitality program, which often bundles tickets with hotel stays and event access. For the Melbourne game especially, expect ticket demand to be extremely high — book early and factor in flights and accommodation costs. London games typically have strong local inventory but sell out fast in the months following the schedule release.
2026 Hall of Fame Game Tickets: Cheapest Way to See Live NFL
If your goal is live NFL action without the premium price tag, the Hall of Fame Game on August 6 (Panthers vs. Cardinals, Canton, Ohio) is your best bet. Preseason get-in prices can start as low as $9–$54, making it the most budget-friendly NFL live experience on the entire calendar.
FAQs
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The 2026 NFL season starts on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in Seattle. The unusual Wednesday kickoff accommodates the Rams-49 ers game in Melbourne, Australia, the following day.
When was the 2026 NFL schedule released?
The full 2026 NFL schedule was officially released on May 14, 2026, following a multi-day rollout of individual matchup reveals.
How many games are in the 2026 NFL season?
The 2026 NFL regular season features 272 games total, 17 games per team across 18 weeks.
When do the 2026 NFL Playoffs start?
The 2026 NFL Playoffs begin on Wild Card Weekend, January 16–18, 2027.
Where is Super Bowl LXI?
Super Bowl LXI is at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, 2027.
How many international NFL games are in 2026?
The NFL is playing a record nine international games in 2026, spanning four continents and seven countries — the most in league history.
Final Thoughts: 2026 NFL Season Takeaways
The 2026 NFL schedule is a landmark season — record-setting international reach, a holiday slate unlike anything the league has ever offered, and a Week 1 filled with Super Bowl energy. Whether you're planning your viewing schedule, setting fantasy football reminders, or hunting for tickets to one of the season's marquee matchups, the roadmap is now set.
