The 2026 NFL schedule will soon be unveiled. Here's what we already know
Joe Rivera- The NFL will release its full 2026 schedule in mid-May.
- The defending champion Seattle Seahawks will open the season at home on Wednesday, September 9.
- A record nine international games are scheduled for the 2026 season, including the first-ever game in Australia.
Clear your schedule – the NFL schedule release is coming.
While NFL regular-season games are still months away, fans can begin planning their fall travel in due time when the NFL schedule is released in May.
While the remainder of the 2026 NFL schedule will be released soon, a number of games have already been announced, mainly across borders.
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are set to bring American football to Australia, the first game to be played in the country. Melbourne will host the game in Week 1, getting the international slate underway early.
There are eight international games in addition to the Week 1 NFC West matchup "Down Under" – but that's not all we know about the schedule this upcoming season as we await official word.
Here's what else we already know about the NFL schedule ahead of its official release:
When does the NFL season start?
The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 NFL season and defend their home turf on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with their opponent TBA.
It's customary for the defending Super Bowl champs to open the season – what isn't is the fact that the Seahawks are set to take the field on a Wednesday rather than a Thursday.
The NFL is leaving some room for an international game the following day.
NFL international games, schedule in 2026
The league is set to play a record nine international games in 2026. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are set to play the first game in Australia, taking place in Week 1, on Thursday, Sept. 10.
A number of other games on international soil fill out the remaining eight, with most yet to be solidified. They are:
Australia game
- Week 1 (Sept. 10): Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne
According to a report from The Athletic, Netflix will broadcast the Sept. 10 game in Australia. Football fans living outside of the Los Angeles and San Francisco local markets will need a subscription to the streaming service to watch the game.
The Rams vs. 49ers game in Melbourne will be the first of at least three games broadcast on Netflix during the 2026 season. Netflix will also broadcast two NFL games on Christmas in 2026 – the third straight year it's done so.
Brazil game
- Week 3 (Sept. 27): Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens | Maracaña Stadium | Rio de Janeiro
France game
- New Orleans Saints vs. TBA | Stade de France | Paris
Germany game
- Detroit Lions vs. TBA | Allianz Arena | Munich
London games
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TBA | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London
- Washington Commanders vs. TBA | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TBA | Wembley Stadium | London
Mexico game
- San Francisco 49ers vs. TBA | Estadio Banorte | Mexico City
Spain game
- Atlanta Falcons vs. TBA | Bernabéu | Madrid
NFL opponents by team
Of course, opponents for all 32 teams have already been decided, as is the way the NFL schedule is formulated. For a look at every opponent for every team in the NFL, click here.
When is the 2026 NFL schedule release?
- Date: Between May 12 and May 14
The NFL is set to release its 2026 schedule between May 12 and May 14, with the date TBD. The NFL takes its schedule release up until the last minute, but the date is sure to come mid-May, per usual.