ESPN Unveils Biggest NFL Schedule Ever for 2026, Featuring Super Bowl LXI

The NFL has unveiled its full 2026 schedule, highlighted by a rare Wednesday season opener, record-breaking international games, and several marquee primetime matchups.

What’s Happening:

• The 2026 NFL schedule officially released Thursday night at 8PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App.
• The 2026 regular season begins on Wednesday, September 9, marking only the second Wednesday opener in NFL history.
• The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks open the season against the New England Patriots, the team they defeated at the most recent Super Bowl.
• The midweek start accommodates the NFL’s first regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia.
• The Los Angeles Rams face the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 10, in Melbourne.
• The NFL holds a record nine international games in 2026 across four continents and seven countries.
• Another international matchup features the Cincinnati Bengals against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 on Nov. 8.
• The first Sunday Night Football game features the New York Giants versus the Dallas Cowboys.
• The Dallas Cowboys also host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day.
• The first Monday Night Football game features the Denver Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 14.
• The full NFL schedule release also includes team analysis, predictions, depth charts, and schedule difficulty rankings.
• Check out the full schedule below:

• The Indianapolis Colts announced their 2026 lineup with a fun video inspired by The Simpsons!
• Check it out below:

Read More ESPN:

• Charlie Neal, ESPN Correspondent and Iconic Voice of HBCU Sports, Passes Away at Age 80 
• ESPN Reveals Slate of College Football Matchups During Disney's Upfront 
• ESPN Promotes Mike Foss to Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment