Seahawks Kick Off Unique Wednesday for NFLSeason2026 in Historic Opener

The NFL kicks off the 2026 season on a Wednesday night for only the second time in history. The Seattle Seahawks, reigning Super Bowl champions, host the opening game on September 9. The opponent remains to be announced, but the game airs on NBC. This marks a shift from the traditional Thursday opener, previously altered in 2012 due to a scheduling conflict with a presidential address.

The action continues with a unique matchup in Australia, as the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 11. Kickoff is set for 10:35 a.m. local time, which translates to 8:35 p.m. ET on September 10 in the U.S. The broadcaster for this game is yet to be confirmed. With recent seasons featuring games in Brazil, the NFL adapts to new scheduling challenges and regulations in 2026.