The 2026 NFL season is officially on the horizon, and while the full schedule won't drop until Thursday, May 14, the league is already teasing some blockbuster matchups for Week 1. For football fans, this is the appetizer before the main course—and it's looking delicious.

The season kicks off with a twist. Defending Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, will raise their banner at Lumen Field, but not on the traditional Thursday night. Instead, Seattle will host their first opponent on Wednesday, September 10. Who they'll face is still under wraps, but we've got a few ideas for the league.

Why the midweek start? History is being made. For the first time ever, the NFL is heading to Australia for a regular-season game. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will square off at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, local time. That means kickoff at 10:35 a.m. in Melbourne, which translates to 8:35 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, September 10—a perfect way to bridge the time zones and kick off a new era of international football.

But the excitement doesn't stop there. The league has also confirmed the first Sunday Night Football game of the season, and it's a classic NFC East showdown. Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys will travel to MetLife Stadium to face Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants. It's a rivalry that always brings the heat, and with prime-time stakes, this one is sure to be a must-watch.

Whether you're gearing up for the Aussie opener or the Sunday night clash, Week 1 of the 2026 season is shaping up to be unforgettable. Stay tuned for the full schedule release, and in the meantime, get your game-day gear ready—you won't want to miss a snap.