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NFL sets record with nine international games in 2026 season
The National Football League will stage a historic nine regular-season games outside the U.S. in 2026, including debuts in Australia and France, the league announced this week. The schedule spans four continents and seven countries, up from last year's record of seven international matchups.
Season opener features Super Bowl rematch on unusual Wednesday start
The 2026 campaign kicks off on Wednesday, 9 September, marking the first time since 2012 that the season opener does not fall on a Thursday. The Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 last February, will host the Patriots in a rare opening-week rematch-the first since 2016. The shift to Wednesday avoids a scheduling conflict with U.S. broadcasting regulations that prohibit professional football on Fridays and Saturdays from mid-September onward.
Landmark games in Australia and France highlight global slate
The Los Angeles Rams will face the San Francisco 49ers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, 10 September, in the league's first-ever game in Australia. The match, streamed on Netflix, is expected to draw 100,000 fans. France will host its inaugural NFL game on 25 October, when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the New Orleans Saints in Paris. Other international venues include Brazil, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and three games in the United Kingdom.
Full international schedule
- 10 Sep: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia)
- 27 Sep: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- 4 Oct: Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders (Tottenham, London)
- 11 Oct: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Tottenham, London)
- 18 Oct: Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Wembley, London)
- 25 Oct: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New Orleans Saints (Paris, France)
- 8 Nov: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Atlanta Falcons (Madrid, Spain)
- 15 Nov: New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions (Munich, Germany)
- 22 Nov: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers (Mexico City, Mexico)
Holiday games and prime-time matchups dominate schedule
The 2026 season introduces a Thanksgiving Eve game for the first time, with the Rams hosting the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday, 25 November, also streamed on Netflix. The traditional Thanksgiving triple-header follows, featuring divisional rivalries and a marquee showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills, assuming star quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers from injury. Christmas Day will again feature a triple-header, including a rematch of last season's NFC Championship between the Seahawks and Rams.
Super Bowl 61 to be played on Valentine's Day in Los Angeles
The season concludes on 10 January 2027, with playoffs beginning on 16 January. Super Bowl 61 will be held on Sunday, 14 February 2027-Valentine's Day-at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The venue, shared by the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, previously hosted the Super Bowl in 2022, when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals before a crowd of 70,048. The $5.5 billion stadium remains the most expensive in the world.
Key dates and milestones
- Season opener: 9 September (Seahawks vs. Patriots, Seattle)
- First international game: 10 September (49ers vs. Rams, Melbourne)
- Thanksgiving Eve: 25 November (Rams vs. Packers, Los Angeles)
- Christmas Day triple-header: 25 December (Bears vs. Packers, Broncos vs. Bills, Seahawks vs. Rams)
- Super Bowl 61: 14 February 2027 (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
"The NFL's global expansion continues to break new ground, bringing our game to fans in markets we've never reached before," a league spokesperson said.
