The NFL regular season kicks into gear this week with 16 games spread across five days, beginning Wednesday night in Seattle and featuring the league’s historic first regular-season game in Australia before a packed Sunday schedule.
Wednesday gets Week 1 started
The season opens Wednesday night with the New England Patriots traveling across the country to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
The unusual Wednesday opener gives Week 1 an early start before attention shifts halfway around the world for one of the most ambitious international games the league has staged.
Rams and 49ers take the NFL to Australia
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams renew their NFC West rivalry at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first NFL regular-season game played in Australia.
The game will be played Friday morning, September 11, in Melbourne, corresponding to Thursday night in the United States. The massive MCG provides a spectacular setting as two division rivals take the league into another international market.
Sunday starts with eight early games
The schedule explodes Sunday with eight games in the early window.
The Atlanta Falcons visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Baltimore Ravens travel to face the Indianapolis Colts. The Buffalo Bills open on the road against the Houston Texans, and the Chicago Bears visit the Carolina Panthers.
The Cleveland Browns head south to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, while the New Orleans Saints visit the Detroit Lions. The New York Jets travel to Nashville for a matchup with the Tennessee Titans, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Cincinnati Bengals.
Four games fill the late window
The late Sunday slate sends the Arizona Cardinals to SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers, while the Green Bay Packers visit the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Miami Dolphins travel west to face the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Washington Commanders visit the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East matchup.
Cowboys and Giants take Sunday night
Sunday closes at MetLife Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys visit the New York Giants in another NFC East matchup under the lights.
Broncos and Chiefs close Week 1
The opening week wraps up Monday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, with the Denver Broncos traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs.
After an opening week stretching from Seattle to Melbourne and back across the United States, the NFL will have all 32 teams on the field as the 2026 regular season gets underway.