When is first NFL regular season game? Kickoff date, time in 2026

The wait for Week 1 continues. Super Bowl 60 took place on Feb. 8, meaning it has been a while since the last action on the gridiron truly meant something. Sure, the NFL preseason helped pass the time. However, no one is going to mistake that for a Sunday slate in the fall anytime soon. In total, th

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What is the story about?

The wait for Week 1 continues.

Super Bowl 60 took place on Feb. 8, meaning it has been a while since the last action on the gridiron truly meant something. Sure, the NFL preseason helped pass the time. However, no one is going to mistake that for a Sunday slate in the fall anytime soon.

In total, there will be 213 days between meaningful action in the league.

And as tradition indicates, the team that wrapped up the last season will begin the next one. The Seattle Seahawks will officially begin their Super Bowl defense in Week 1 – fittingly in a rematch against the New England Patriots.

With some time left between then and now, here's a look at when the calendar officially flips to the NFL regular season.

When is the first NFL regular season game?

The NFL regular season begins on Wednesday,

Sept. 9. It will feature a Super Bowl 60 rematch when the Seahawks host the Patriots.

Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. ET at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

Week 1 continues with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers facing off in a NFC West battle in Australia on Thursday, Sept. 10. The remainder of the opening week's slate continues Sunday and concludes Monday.