Why is the NFL starting on a Wednesday in 2026? NFL Week 1 schedule

The 2026 NFL Week 1 schedule is kicking off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, which is different from its recent typical Thursday opening-game kickoff.

Why is the NFL starting the season on a Wednesday in 2026?

The Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is on Wednesday because the NFL has scheduled the Los Angeles Rams to take on the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia on Friday, Sept. 11.

But due to the time difference, that game is being played at 5:35 p.m. MST (8:35 p.m. ET) on Thursday, Sept. 10 in the United States, prompting the league to move the opener up a day.

The Patriots vs. Seahawks game will start at 5:20 p.m. MST (8:20 p.m. ET) on Wednesday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

It is the first time since 2012 that the NFL is not starting its season on a Thursday.

In 2012, the NFL shifted its opener to a Wednesday to accommodate President Barack Obama's Democratic National Convention speech.

The NFL is scheduled to have nine international games in 2026, with the Rams vs. 49ers game the first.

It will be the first time the NFL has a game in Australia.

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks, 5:20 p.m., NBC ( stream with Peacock )

Thursday Night Football schedule, Sept. 10

San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia), 5:35 p.m., Netflix

NFL power rankings Week 1: Seahawks, Bills, Rams, Ravens at top

Sunday early NFL game schedule, Sept. 13

Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers, 10 a.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals, 10 a.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 10 a.m.., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans , 10 a.m., CBS ( stream with FUBO )

Baltimore Ravens vs Indianapolis Colts, 10 a.m., CBS ( stream with FUBO )

Cleveland Browns vs Jacksonville Jaguars, 10 a.m., CBS ( stream with FUBO )

Atlanta Falcons vs Pittsburgh Steelers, 10 a.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

New York Jets vs Tennessee Titans, 10 a.m., CBS ( stream with FUBO )

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers, 1:25 p.m., CBS ( stream with FUBO )

Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders, 1:25 p.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings, 1:25 p.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

Washington Commanders vs Philadelphia Eagles, 1:25 p.m., FOX ( stream with FUBO )

Sunday Night Football schedule, Sept. 13

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 5:20 p.m., NBC ( stream with Peacock )

Monday Night Football schedule, Sept. 14

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC ( stream with FUBO )

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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