The NFL schedule release is now the next big stop on the league’s offseason calendar, now that the 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview.
When it comes to the NFL schedule release, fans can’t wait to see where their favorite team will be every week.
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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.
When is the NFL schedule release 2026?
The NFL schedule is set to be released in May.
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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.
The league added games in Australia and Paris to the 2026 schedule, as well as a return to Mexico City for the first time since 2022.
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.
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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.
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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:
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Wednesday, Sept. 9: Seattle Seahawks vs. TBA (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
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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
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Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne
Brazil game
France game
Germany game
Mexico game
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San Francisco 49ers vs. TBA | Estadio Banorte | Mexico City
Spain game
United Kingdom games
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TBA | Wembley Stadium | London
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL schedule release: Week 1, international games, what to know
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