The wait for the 2026 NFL regular season is almost over. But if you’re looking for a game to watch on Sunday, September 6, you’ll have to hang on a little longer.

There are no NFL games on today, but the regular season is finally getting underway this week, and Week 1 is bringing football fans a pretty unusual schedule. Instead of the season starting on a Thursday, the first game will be played Wednesday, September 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots.

And that’s just the beginning. Week 1 includes a Thursday night game in Australia, a full Sunday slate and the return of Monday Night Football.

Are there any NFL games on today, Sunday, September 6?

No. There are no NFL games on Sunday, September 6.

The preseason wrapped up last weekend, so we’re officially in that brief stretch between exhibition football and the real thing. Fortunately, the wait is only a few days.

The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off Wednesday, September 9.

When is the next NFL game?

The first NFL game of the regular season is New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, September 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET. The game will air on NBC and Peacock, with NFL+ also offering mobile streaming.

It’s an especially fitting way to open the season: The Seahawks are hosting the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, which Seattle won to finish the 2025 season.

So, yes, the NFL is really kicking off on a Wednesday this year.

When is the first Thursday Night Football game?

The NFL doesn’t wait long to get weird with the schedule.

The first Thursday game of the season is San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams on September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET. The game will stream exclusively on Netflix and will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.

It’s the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, giving Week 1 an international twist before the league settles into its more familiar Sunday routine.

NFL Week 1 schedule

Here’s the full Week 1 slate, including every game, kickoff time and network.

Wednesday, September 9

• Patriots at Seahawks, 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC, Peacock

Thursday, September 10

• 49ers at Rams, 8:35 p.m. ET — Netflix

Sunday, September 13

• Bears at Panthers, 1 p.m. ET — FOX
• Buccaneers at Bengals, 1 p.m. ET — FOX
• Saints at Lions, 1 p.m. ET — FOX
• Bills at Texans, 1 p.m. ET — CBS
• Ravens at Colts, 1 p.m. ET — CBS
• Browns at Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET — CBS
• Falcons at Steelers, 1 p.m. ET — FOX
• Jets at Titans, 1 p.m. ET — CBS
• Cardinals at Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET — CBS
• Dolphins at Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
• Packers at Vikings, 4:25 p.m. ET — CBS
• Commanders at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
• Cowboys at Giants, 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC, Peacock, NFL+

Monday, Sept. 14

• Broncos at Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET — ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL+

The full Week 1 schedule includes 16 games spread across four days, with the Cowboys-Giants matchup serving as the first Sunday Night Football game of the season and Broncos-Chiefs closing out the week on Monday night.

What are the best NFL games to watch in Week 1?

There’s no shortage of interesting matchups right out of the gate.

The Patriots-Seahawks game is an obvious place to start, considering it’s a Super Bowl rematch and the first game of the season. The 49ers-Rams matchup should also be worth staying up for, particularly with the game taking place in Melbourne.

Then there’s Bills-Texans, Packers-Vikings and Commanders-Eagles on Sunday afternoon, followed by Cowboys-Giants in primetime. And if you’re still not ready to give up your football weekend by Monday, the Broncos and Chiefs will wrap up Week 1 at Arrowhead Stadium.

So while there’s no NFL football on today, the regular season is officially just days away. And unlike the preseason, these games actually count.