NFL season opens with Super Bowl rematch and expansive international schedule

The 2026 NFL season begins this week with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. This season features an expanded international slate with nine total fixtures scheduled outside the United States. New host sites for the league include Melbourne, which will host a game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, and Paris, where the Pittsburgh Steelers will play the New Orleans Saints. Other international matchups are set for Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Madrid, and Mexico City. The league continues to explore the potential for future permanent overseas franchises as part of a long-term international expansion strategy. Meanwhile, several teams enter the year with significant roster changes, including the Los Angeles Rams re-signing Aaron Donald and adding Myles Garrett.

• 9:13 PMYahoo Sports — Super Bowl rematch kicks off NFL season as league expands global reach