NFL Announces Rare Wednesday Opener for 2026 Season. Here’s Who’s Playing
The NFL will begin its 2026 regular season on a day not typically known for NFL action.
In an official release, the league announced that its 2026 season opener will take place on Wednesday, Sep. 9 — featuring the reigning Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks' Week 1 opponent has yet to be announced.
"The National Football League announced today that the 2026 NFL Kickoff presented by YouTube TV is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock in Seattle with the Super Bowl LX champion Seahawks," the NFL wrote in its release.
The following day on Sep. 10, the San Francisco 49ers will face off against the divisional-rival Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever international game in Australia.
"Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams in the first-ever NFL regular season game in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10 at approximately 8:35 p.m. ET at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground," the league added.
The NFL makes it official on this year’s opening game — Wednesday, Sept. 9 for the #Seahawks (opponent TBD) and Thursday for #49ers-#Rams in Australia. pic.twitter.com/55rdrESqQJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 25, 2026
The 2025 NFL regular season began with a division-rivalry matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles, who kicked off their season with a 24-20 win at Lincoln Financial Field. The next day on Friday, Sep. 5, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs with a 27-21 final score in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Seahawks' opponent for their season-opening matchup will be announced when the team's full 2026 regular-season schedule is released later this spring.