2026 NFL Regular Season Opening Game Set for September 9

The 2026 NFL regular season officially begins on Wednesday, September 9, when the New England Patriots visit the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.

m. ET, with the game nationally televised on NBC and available to stream on Peacock and NFL+.

It will serve as the leagues traditional Kickoff Game, with Seattle beginning its Super Bowl title defense in front of its home crowd. The Wednesday start is unusual for the NFL, which traditionally opens on Thursday night, but the league has adjusted its opening week around a major international game scheduled one day later.

This scheduling adjustment ensures that fans across the nation and the globe can tune in to the opening spectacle without missing any of the subsequent action. The Seattle franchise will enter the matchup eager to display the championship form that brought them glory, while New England looks to secure an early statement victory on the road.

As anticipation builds toward the opening whistle, players and coaches continue their final preparations for what promises to be another thrilling professional football campaign.