The NFL released its 2026 schedule Thursday night, opening with a rematch of Super Bowl LX as the defending champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Sept. 9. Since 2004, defending champs have gone 16-5 in season openers, including the Eagles' 24-20 win over the Cowboys to start 2025.

The season begins on a Wednesday to accommodate the first regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia. The Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET—10:35 a.m. local time in Australia. The NFL will play a record nine international games across four continents and seven countries in 2026.

John Harbaugh makes his New York Giants coaching debut against the Dallas Cowboys in the first Sunday Night Football matchup. The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs square off Sept. 14 in the first Monday Night Football game of the season.