Seattle hosts New England to begin the 2026 NFL season
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 7:17 AM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
The 2026 NFL season opens this Wednesday with a Super Bowl rematch between the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Seattle earned its second title by defeating New England in February and will now kick off its title defense in front of a home crowd. Because of US broadcasting bylaws prohibiting professional football on Fridays or Saturdays in mid-September, the league scheduled the season opener for a Wednesday, the first such occurrence since 2012. The Los Angeles Rams, viewed by many as the primary threat to Seattle's divisional standing, are slated to play the San Francisco 49ers in Australia on Friday. The league has also finalized a holiday schedule that includes a five-game Thanksgiving week slate and a triple-header on Christmas Day. Following the opener, the Buffalo Bills will debut their new stadium against the Detroit Lions next Thursday.
- •Seattle hosts New England on Wednesday to start the 2026 NFL season.
- •The Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne on Friday.
- •Buffalo plays the Detroit Lions at Highmark Stadium next Thursday.
- •Kenneth Walker makes his first return to Seattle with the Kansas City Chiefs on October 25.
- •The NFL schedule includes a Christmas Day triple-header featuring Chicago against Green Bay and Denver against Buffalo.
- 7:17 AMYahoo Sports — Super Bowl rematch to open new season - your guide to NFL's key games
- 7:17 AMBBC Sport — Super Bowl rematch to open new season - your guide to NFL's key games
"With the 2026 NFL season set to start on Wednesday, here are all the key dates and fixtures on the road to Super Bowl 61.
"With the 2026 NFL season set to start on Wednesday, here are all the key dates and fixtures on the road to Super Bowl 61.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 7:17 AMSuper Bowl rematch to open new season - your guide to NFL's key games
With the 2026 NFL season set to start on Wednesday, here are all the key dates and fixtures on the road to Super Bowl 61.
- BBC SportSep 9, 2026, 7:17 AMSuper Bowl rematch to open new season - your guide to NFL's key games
With the 2026 NFL season set to start on Wednesday, here are all the key dates and fixtures on the road to Super Bowl 61.
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