The 2026 NFL schedule is officially dropping tonight, Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network — and the lead-up has already delivered a flood of massive announcements. From a historic international slate of nine games across four continents to Thanksgiving marquee matchups, here is everything you need to know about the 2026 NFL football schedule.
When Is the NFL Schedule Released? Tonight at 8 p.m. ET
The full 2026 NFL regular season schedule will be officially released on Thursday, May 14, with broadcast partners announcing select games throughout the week leading up to the full reveal.
The complete 2026 NFL schedule release airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and NFL Network. For only the second time in league history, the regular season will start on a Wednesday, with the Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks opening the year on September 9 against an as-yet-unannounced opponent.
2026 NFL Schedule: Opening Week Primetime Games Confirmed
Sunday Night Football in Week 1 features the New York Giants hosting the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium, kicking off at 8:20 p.m. ET on September 13 — the eighth time in 15 seasons these NFC East rivals have opened a campaign against one another.
Monday Night Football Week 1 will be the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos on September 14 at 8 p.m. ET, with the game's location to be confirmed at tonight's full schedule release. The Buffalo Bills will host the Detroit Lions in the Thursday Night Football opener in Week 2.
NFL International Games 2026: Record Nine Games Across Four Continents
The full 2026 NFL international games schedule was released on May 13, featuring a record-breaking nine games played across four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. Melbourne, Australia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; London; Paris; Madrid; Munich; and Mexico City will all host NFL international games in 2026.
The complete international schedule is as follows:
| Week | Date | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 10 | 49ers @ Rams | Melbourne, Australia |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | Ravens @ Cowboys | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | Colts @ Commanders | London, England |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | Eagles @ Jaguars | London, England |
| 6 | Oct. 18 | Texans @ Jaguars | London, England |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | Steelers @ Saints | Paris, France |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | Bengals @ Falcons | Madrid, Spain |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | Patriots @ Lions | Munich, Germany |
| 11 | Nov. 22 | Vikings @ 49ers | Mexico City, Mexico |
Philadelphia Eagles NFL Schedule 2026: London and Thanksgiving Highlights
The Philadelphia Eagles will play an international game in Week 5, facing the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on October 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET, airing on NFL Network.
The Eagles will also feature in one of the year's most anticipated matchups on Thanksgiving Day, traveling to AT&T Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys on November 26 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Cowboys and Eagles have met on Thanksgiving just twice since 1966, with Philadelphia winning both previous encounters.
Packers Schedule 2026: Thanksgiving Eve at SoFi Stadium
The Green Bay Packers have a marquee primetime slot confirmed — they will travel to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, at 8 p.m. ET in one of the NFL's newest holiday offerings.
Netflix is broadcasting both the Rams-49ers Melbourne game in Week 1 and the Rams-Packers Thanksgiving Eve game, giving the streaming platform two of the season's most high-profile matchups.
Steelers Schedule 2026: Paris Game in Week 7
The Pittsburgh Steelers will travel to Paris, France, in Week 7 on Sunday, October 25 at 9:30 a.m. ET to face the New Orleans Saints — the NFL's first-ever game played in the French capital. It marks a growing international commitment for the Steelers, who hosted the league's debut in Dublin last season.
49ers Schedule 2026: Two International Games Including Australia Opener
The San Francisco 49ers are among the teams with international double-dips in 2026. Their first international assignment comes in the season's second game, Week 1 on September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET, facing NFC West rivals the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia — the NFL's historic debut Down Under.
The 49ers' second international game comes in Week 11 when they face the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City on November 22. Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle — returning from a torn Achilles — will look to continue San Francisco's strong history of performances at Estadio Azteca.
How to Watch the 2026 NFL Schedule Release Tonight
The full 2026 NFL schedule release broadcast airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App, with NFL Network providing simultaneous coverage. All 32 team schedules will be revealed at once, giving fans, fantasy football managers, and ticket buyers the complete week-by-week picture for the upcoming season.
