NFL schedule changes force rare Wednesday season opener for 2026

The NFL officially begins its 2026 season on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with a game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. This scheduling move stems from the timing of Labor Day and the strict provisions of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which limits league telecasts on Fridays and Saturdays during the high school and college football season. Additionally, the league needed to accommodate a logistical turnaround for the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, who are playing in Melbourne, Australia. The teams require time for a 15- to 16-hour flight back to the United States before their subsequent Week 2 commitments. This marks the first time the league has opened its season on a Wednesday since 2012, when a schedule conflict moved the kickoff to accommodate the Democratic National Convention. Another Wednesday game is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving featuring the Green Bay Packers.

• 2:38 PMYahoo Sports — Laws and long flights: Why the NFL is starting on a Wednesday this year