When does the 2026 NFL regular season start? Week 1 dates, schedule release, more

The NFL world keeps spinning, whether you want it to or not.

Fans of the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks hope this magical season continues forever, but that's not reality. The road will come to an end, regardless of what happens in Super Bowl 60. All eyes are on the big game, but those are just two teams.

For the other 30, it's about finally closing the book on 2025 and starting a new one in 2026.

There will be free agency, the 2026 NFL Draft, training camps and plenty of drama before the ball is kicked off again in the preseason.

Those exhibition games will eventually give way to meaningful football, but it'll be a while. Here's what to know about when you can expect the 2026 NFL regular season to begin.

When does the 2026 NFL regular season start?

The 2026 NFL regular is expected to begin on Thursday, Sept. 10. Traditionally, the Super Bowl winner hosts the first game of the season on Thursday night after Labor Day with the remainder of the teams clashing over the weekend.

In the past two seasons, the league added a twist by sending two teams to Brazil for a Friday night game in Week 1. With an international schedule that also includes a trip to Australia in 2026, it's unclear how the schedule will shake out for the opening weekend.

Regardless, fans should expect the games to be spread out across more than just the typical Thursday, Sunday and Monday action to get everyone back into the swing of things.

When is the NFL schedule release 2026?

The NFL schedule is typically released in the spring. They haven't announced an exact date yet, but it is typically announced in May after the draft and free agency give some clarity on what the 32 rosters will look like.