The 2026 NFL regular season will officially kick off on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET in Seattle, featuring the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks, according to official reports.
Following the season opener in the Pacific Northwest, the league will make history with its first-ever regular season game in Melbourne, Australia. The San Francisco 49ers are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10. This landmark international event marks a significant expansion for the NFL as it continues to grow its global footprint and bring regular-season action to fans in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.
The announcement confirms that the Seattle Seahawks will begin their defense of the Lombardi Trophy on a Wednesday night, a unique scheduling move for the league's traditional season opener. This standalone spotlight provides a massive platform for the Seahawks to host the first game of the 2026 campaign at home. Meanwhile, the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne represents a high-profile NFC West rivalry that will showcase the league's competitive intensity on a global stage.
Additional details regarding the specific stadium venue in Melbourne and the remainder of the 2026 regular season schedule are expected to be released by the league at a later date. This move to Australia follows the league's successful ventures into other international markets, signaling a long-term commitment to playing meaningful games outside of North America.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting