The countdown is officially on. Training camps are winding down. Preseason is wrapping up. And in just a few short weeks, the greatest show on turf—or grass, or whatever they’re playing on in Australia these days—returns to our screens.
The 2026 NFL season is almost here. And it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing campaigns in recent memory.
📅 When Does It All Start?
The NFL’s 107th season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9, with the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots at Lumen Field.
Yes, you read that right—Wednesday. The league has deviated from its traditional Thursday night kickoff to accommodate travel for the first-ever regular-season game in Australia. It marks the third time in NFL history that a Super Bowl rematch has opened the season, and the first since 2016.
The Seahawks will raise their championship banner before facing the team they defeated in Super Bowl LX just seven months ago.
And the action doesn’t stop there. On Thursday, September 10, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first-ever game Down Under. Then comes a full Sunday slate on September 13, capped by Monday Night Football featuring the Denver Broncos visiting the Kansas City Chiefs.
🏆 The Super Bowl Rematch Everyone’s Watching
Let’s talk about that opener.
The Seahawks stunned the football world last February, trouncing the Patriots to capture their second Lombardi Trophy. Now, they get to do it all over again—this time in front of their home crowd, with a banner going up and the “12s” in full throat.
For New England, it’s a chance at redemption. For Seattle, it’s a chance to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. And for everyone else? It’s a reminder that football is back, and the stakes couldn’t be higher from the very first snap.
🌏 A Truly Global Game
This season, the NFL is going international in a big way.
The league has scheduled nine international games in 2026, including the historic Australia debut. There’s also the NFL’s first-ever game in France, a third straight trip to Brazil, and a return to Mexico for the first time since 2022.
The league is also shaking up the holiday calendar. For the first time, there’s a Thanksgiving Eve game on Netflix, adding to the Thanksgiving Day triple-header and the now-established Black Friday tradition. And the NFL’s ongoing battle with the NBA for Christmas Day dominance continues, with a prime-time game on December 24 and three games on December 25.
🎯 The Teams to Beat
So who’s going to hoist the trophy in Los Angeles this February?
The Los Angeles Rams are the preseason favourites. After landing pass rusher Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade, they’ve assembled perhaps the league’s most talented roster. The Opta Supercomputer gives them a 19.9% chance to win it all—the highest of any team.
The Seattle Seahawks aren’t far behind, with a 27.8% chance to repeat according to some models. The San Francisco 49ers are also in the mix at 26.1%.
In the AFC, the Patriots are favoured to return to the Super Bowl after last season’s run. But with Patrick Mahomes returning from an ACL injury and questions lingering in Kansas City, the conference feels wide open. The Cincinnati Bengals are poised for a resurgence if Joe Burrow can stay healthy, while the Denver Broncos are being tipped as the clear heavyweight favourite in the AFC West.
And don’t sleep on the Chicago Bears. After watching their former offensive coordinator lead them from the cellar to the throne, the Bears are looking to prove they belong among the NFC’s elite.
🎭 The Storylines We Can’t Wait For
Beyond the standings, this season is loaded with narratives:
Andy Reid’s Final Season? Some insiders believe the Chiefs’ legendary coach could retire after another Super Bowl run.
Caleb Williams for MVP? The Bears’ quarterback is generating serious buzz, with some predicting he’ll lead the NFL in passing yards.
The Lions’ Revenge Tour? After losing Ben Johnson to the Bears, Dan Campbell’s squad is out for vengeance in the NFC North.
Burrow’s Comeback? The Bengals have missed the playoffs three years running. A healthy Joe Burrow could change everything.
Mahomes’ Return? The Chiefs’ superstar is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL. If he’s not ready, Justin Fields will likely start.
🏈 It’s Almost Time
The preseason has given us a taste. Rookies have flashed. Veterans have knocked off the rust. And now, the real thing is just around the corner.
The NFL is back. The games count. The stakes are real.
And it all starts on September 9.
The 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday, September 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The Super Bowl champion Seahawks host the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
