Welcome back. To that same old place that you laughed about.
Straight out of the 1970s, the lyrics from John Sebastian's theme for the sitcom, "Welcome Back, Kotter" couldn't ring more true today as the NFL returns to the gridiron for the first time in 213 days.
"Well, the names have all changed, since you hung around, but those dreams have remained and they've turned around," Sebastian sang.
Sounds a lot like the NFL offseason, right?
For the past seven months, the games have been played off the field in the form of trades, signings, retirements and more. Now we're right back to where we left off as the 2026 regular season opens up with the two teams that ended the last.
The Seattle Seahawks will kick off the 272-game marathon on Wednesday, Sept.
9 against the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl 60.
And it comes a day earlier than usual, with the action kicking off on a Wednesday night. After all, we've waited long enough.
Let the games begin.
Watch NFL action all season long with Fubo (free trial)
NFL schedule, games today
There is one NFL games scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9. Here's who's playing:
- Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How to watch NFL opening night
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock | Fubo
The first game of the NFL season will be broadcasted on NBC. It's a broadcast that will feature the traditional "Sunday Night Football" crew, with Mike Tirico handling the play-by-play, Cris Collinsworth providing analysis and Melissa Stark patrolling the sidelines. Kaylee Hartung will also report from the sidelines for this game.
Cord cutters hoping to watch the first NFL action of the season won't have a shortage of options either. The game will be available to stream on Peacock and Fubo, which comes with a free trial.
Watch NFL action all season long with Fubo (free trial)
NFL Week 1 schedule: dates, times and TV channels
Wednesday, Sept. 9
- Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Thursday, Sept. 10
- Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers (Melbourne, Australia), 8:35 p.m. ET, Netflix
Sunday, Sept. 13
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Carolina Panthers vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Houston Texans vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
- New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Monday, Sept. 14
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What NFL games are on today? Opening night TV channels, Wednesday schedule
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