Overview
- The regular season is expected to start Wednesday, Sept. 9 on NBC, with reports indicating the Super Bowl champion Seahawks likely host and their opponent still to be named.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne is slated for Thursday, Sept. 10 in the U.S., with the domestic platform and exact kickoff time yet to be finalized.
- The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 blocks NFL games on Fridays and Saturdays from the second Friday in September, removing the Week 1 Friday window the league used in 2024 and 2025.
- If Seattle hosts the opener, local schedules will need adjustments because the Mariners and Sounders are booked that night near or at Lumen Field.
- The full 2026 schedule is due in mid-May, and moving the Australia game to Thursday is designed to ease long-haul travel and time-zone recovery for the Rams and 49ers.