We've known for several months who each NFL team will play in the 2026 season. But this week, we'll learn when all 272 games will be played in the upcoming regular season.
The NFL will unveil the entirety of the 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday. However, the league is announcing the dates of several games before then, like marquee matchups in Week 1.
So, as you get your calendars out to prepare for what you'll be doing this fall, here's a look at which games we know will be played and when ahead of Thursday's schedule release.
Week 1: Seahawks to Open 2026 NFL Regular Season on Wednesday 9/9
The Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 season on a Wednesday, marking the first time the NFL has opened a regular season on a Wednesday since 2012. Still, it marks the continuation of the tradition of the defending champion playing in the game's season-opener.
As of Tuesday morning, there are four potential opponents the Seahawks could face in the season-opener. One of those includes the New England Patriots, which would be a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The other potential opponents for the Seahawks are the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals.
Week 1: 49ers, Rams to Play in NFL's First Game in Australia
The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play their opener on Sept. 11 in Melbourne. The game is expected to kick off at about 10:35 a.m. that Friday in Australia, which is 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday night (Sept. 10) in the United States.
Week 1: Giants Open Up John Harbaugh Era with Home Matchup vs. Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are set to visit the New York Giants in the first Sunday night game of the 2026 NFL season on Sept. 13. It'll mark the eighth time in the past 15 years that the Cowboys and Giants are opening the season against each other.
Dallas is always a national television draw as "America’s Team," and New York could get more prime-time exposure with Super Bowl winner John Harbaugh coaching and Jaxson Dart established as the franchise quarterback coming off his eventful rookie year. It is set to be Harbaugh’s Giants debut.
If healthy, it would also be the first meaningful game between Dart and Dak Prescott. While each started the season finale on Jan. 4, the teams were eliminated from playoff contention by then.
This also could be the NFL debuts for a pair of former Ohio State teammates: Giants linebacker Arvell Reese, taken with the fifth pick, and Cowboys safety Caleb Downs, drafted not long after at No. 11.
Week 1: Chiefs, Broncos to Face Off in First Monday Matchup of the Season
While it's unclear whether Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be back from ACL and LCL tears by the first game of the season or not, what is known is that he will have an extra day to prepare for that possibility: the Chiefs and Denver Broncos play each other in the first Monday Night Football game of the 2026 season, on Sep. 14. Also unclear at this early stage is which team this is a home game for, but the full schedule release on Thursday will answer that question well before we know what's going on with Mahomes' recovery plans.
Week 2: Bills to Open New Stadium vs. Lions
The Buffalo Bills' first game at the new Highmark Stadium will be against the Detroit Lions on a Thursday night in Week 2. It'll mark the start of a new era in Buffalo, as the Bills played the vast majority of their home games from 1973 to 2025 at the stadium previously nicknamed The Ralph. It'll also mark the start of a new era for the Bills on the field, as it'll be Joe Brady's first home game as their head coach.
Week 3: Ravens, Cowboys to Play in Brazil
The Baltimore Ravens have been chosen to play the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s inaugural game in Rio de Janeiro this season. That game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The NFL previously made a multi-year commitment to bring at least three regular-season games to Rio de Janeiro over the next five years. The NFL has previously played two games in Brazil — Packers-Eagles in 2024 and Chiefs-Chargers in 2025 at São Paulo's Corinthians Arena — but this will be the first in Rio.
Week 4: Colts, Commanders to Play in Season's First London Game
The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will play the first of the NFL's three games in London in 2026. This matchup will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4, as each team looks to get back on track in 2026 after they saw their respective 2025 seasons get derailed by injuries.
Week 5: Eagles, Jaguars to Meet in London
The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading back to London again in 2026, and they'll play two straight games in England's capital city. They'll face the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11.
Week 6: AFC South Rivals go Head-to-Head Across the Pond
After facing the Eagles, the Jaguars will remain in London, but will face the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18.
The Jaguars have played back-to-back games in England twice before, but this will be the first time they've had two designated home games in London in the same season.
Week 7: Steelers, Saints to play in NFL's First Game in France
The NFL is heading to France for the first time ever in 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Will Aaron Rodgers be the Steelers' starting quarterback for that game? Who knows, but the matchup could be an enticing one as the reigning AFC North champs take on a Saints team that appears to be on the rise.
Week 9: Bengals, Falcons to Play in Madrid
The NFL's second-ever game in Madrid will feature a pair of high-flying offenses. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Spain in Week 9, the NFL announced on Tuesday.
This will be Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's first international game, as Cincinnati hasn't had an international game since 2019. As for the Falcons, they played the Indianapolis Colts in Germany last season. However, the Falcons were the designated road team for that game, but will be the designated home team for the Week 9 matchup against the Bengals.
Week 10: Patriots, Lions to Play in League's Third Game in Munich
The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions will go head-to-head at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15. For New England, this will actually be its second trip to Germany. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt in 2023. It'll also mark the Patriots' third international game in four seasons, facing the Jaguars in London during the 2024 season. As for the Lions, this will be their first international game since 2015.
Will this be a Super Bowl preview? The Patriots are looking to get back to the title game again in 2026, as they played in Super Bowl LX last season. The Lions, meanwhile, were one of the NFL's top teams in 2023 and 2024 before missing the playoffs at 9-8 in 2025.
Week 11: Vikings, 49ers to Play in NFL's First Mexico Game in 4 Years
The NFL is heading back to Mexico in 2026. The Minnesota Vikings face the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, Nov. 22. It marks the first game that the NFL has played in Mexico in four years.
San Francisco will become the first team to play two international games in nonconsecutive games in NFL history. As for Minnesota, this will mark the third straight season it has played an international game. The Vikings also played in two international games last season. They played the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, before facing the Cleveland Browns in London, England, a week later.
Week 12: Packers, Rams to Play on Thanksgiving Eve
The NFL is adding another game around the Thanksgiving holiday. The Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams will meet up at SoFi Stadium for the league's first-ever Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 25) game, the NFL announced. With the addition of the Thanksgiving Eve game, there are now five games surrounding the holiday. Three games will be played on Thanksgiving Day, while another game will be played on Black Friday.
Week 12: Eagles, Cowboys to Play on Thanksgiving on FOX
One of the NFL's best rivalries will be featured on Thanksgiving Day and will air on FOX. The Philadelphia Eagles will meet up with the Cowboys in Dallas on the holiday this year as the two NFC East rivals go head-to-head on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2015.
Here are five storylines to know ahead of the matchup.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News First
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
