The NFL schedule release for 2026 is a key event in the offseason, following the NFL Draft. Fans eagerly anticipate the schedule to plan trips and understand their team's prospects.
Key points
NFL schedule release is a key offseason event
Fans plan trips around their team's schedule
Schedule can impact team performance and coaching decisions
Details on overseas games and specific matchups are pending
When it comes to the NFL schedule release, fans can't wait to see where their favorite team will be every week.
Trips and vacations revolve around those schedules. A difficult start can quickly derail a promising season, while an easier stretch could be misleading. For some teams, the schedule they are dealt might directly lead to a coach losing their job or a rookie making a debut earlier than expected.
Where will Fernando Mendoza and the Las Vegas Raiders begin their season? Which teams are heading overseas? What about the holidays? And what about the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks?
In many ways, the schedule is just the first draft of the story to come and the games will dictate how it evolves over time.
Here's what to know about the NFL schedule release in 2026 and when fans should expect an official announcement.
What date and time is the NFL schedule release in 2026?
The exact date and time for the NFL schedule release in 2026 have not been announced yet.
How does the NFL schedule impact team performance in a season?
The NFL schedule can significantly affect team performance, as a tough start may hinder a promising season, while an easier schedule might create misleading expectations.
Which teams will play overseas in the 2026 NFL season?
The specific teams scheduled to play overseas in the 2026 NFL season have not yet been revealed.
What factors influence the NFL schedule release?
Factors influencing the NFL schedule release include team matchups, holiday games, and international games, which all play a role in shaping the season's narrative.
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An exact date has not been announced, but history indicates that it should be expected about May 12-14. Leaks will trickle out in the days ahead, especially with an expanded international slate and some holiday games on the docket.
There was also the elimination of Monday night doubleheaders, following Disney's acquisition of NFL Network. More games are set for streaming in 2026, along with other changes that will be revealed with the upcoming release.
In other words, the Wednesday night opening game in Seattle might not be the only adjustment fans will need to make this season.
When does the NFL regular season start in 2026?
The 2026 NFL regular season will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Continuing tradition, the Super Bowl champions will kick off the season as the Seahawks get one last moment in the spotlight before turning the page to 2026.
While the kickoff game is typically set for the Thursday night after Labor Day, this season's was moved to Wednesday to accommodate a new international game. The Los Angeles Rams will host the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 10 in the league's first-ever Australia game.
That means that fans can expect games to take place on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Monday in Week 1.
NFL schedule: Week 1
Two games have already been confirmed for Week 1, which kicks off with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks and continues in Australia, 24 hours later:
**Wednesday, Sept. 9:**Seattle Seahawks vs. TBA (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Thursday, Sept. 10: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Australia (8:35 p.m. ET, TBA)
NFL international schedule 2026
There are nine games on the NFL's international schedule for 2026. Here's a look at where they will be played and the participants that have been announced:
Australia game
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne
