The New England Patriots will start their 2026 regular season on the road, but they will be back in Foxborough in Week 2. Their home opener will be a matchup between two familiar foes: the Patriots will host the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ninth time in the last 10 seasons the two most successful NFL franchises crossed paths.
Kickoff at Gillette Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 20. Podcaster Kirk Minihane was first to report the matchup.
The Patriots will enter their Week 2 game off a mini-bye.
With their Week 1 game being the NFL season opener against the defending world champion Seattle Seahawks — a game taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 — New England will enter their first home game of the season with 10 days of rest.
The Steelers, meanwhile, will have played the previous Sunday. Their 2026 season will start on Sunday, Sept. 13 at home against Atlanta.
The last time the Patriots and Steeler crossed paths came in Week 3 of last season. Despite playing at home, head coach Mike Vrabel’s team was beaten 21-14 behind five turnovers. The loss dropped New England to 1-2 on the year and snapped a three-game win streak against Pittsburgh, but ended up as the team’s last defeat for almost three months.
The full 2026 schedule will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. For any and all news, leaks and rumors leading up to the reveal, please visit our Patriots schedule release tracker.
