Patriots and Seahawks opener draws 25.1 million viewers on Wednesday night
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 14, 2026, 9:15 PM
Last updated Sep 14, 2026
The NFL's season-opening game between the Patriots and Seahawks averaged 25.1 million viewers on September 14, 2026. This marks a 12 percent decrease from last year's opener, which attracted 28.3 million viewers. The game started on a Wednesday for the first time since 2012, possibly affecting viewership numbers. The NFL is expected to continue this Wednesday league kickoff format in the coming years, particularly when game scheduling prohibits a Friday night option.
- •Game marks a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
- •Viewership declined from previous opening game in 2025.
- •Last Wednesday opener in 2012 drew 23.9 million viewers.
- •2026 season features 283 games in total.
- •NFL likely to maintain Wednesday openings in future seasons.
- 9:15 PMYahoo Sports — Patriot-Seahawks opener averaged 25.1 million viewers
"Now that football season has returned, so has the season of tracking the sizes of the TV audiences for football games.
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