Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Buccaneers Push for Multiple 2026 Sunday Night Slots

5/7/2026

42 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Buccaneers Want Slots

The NFL will release the 2026 schedule in the coming weeks, prompting the Buccaneers to state preferences.
The Buccaneers want multiple Sunday Night Football slots after a single 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a Thanksgiving road game—their only prior slot was in 2006—and a mid-season bye in Weeks 10–12 after a Week 5 bye in 2023.
Fans have asked that the Buccaneers-Rams matchup stay off prime-time broadcasts to avoid another loss.

Summary

YouTube Negotiates

Season opens Wednesday, September 9, at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
The LA Rams face the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne on September 11 at 10:35 am local (8:35 pm ET).
YouTube is negotiating a five-game streaming package covering the Australia game, a Thanksgiving-eve contest, a Black Friday game, and a Christmas Eve game.
VP Mike North expects a May 12-14 release, but negotiations could delay it and require Commissioner Roger Goodell’s approval.

Summary

Jaguars Reduce Capacity

EverBank Stadium will operate at a reduced capacity of about 42,507 seats in 2026, with the upper decks removed and roughly 1,260 standing-room tickets.
Team president Mark Lamping asked the league for a bye week right after the second London home game to give stadium builders a month.
Jacksonville will host two of its eight 2026 home games in London, the first back-to-back overseas dates since 2024.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s first regular-season game outside the United States took place on Oct 2 2005 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, drawing a record 103,467 fans as the Cardinals beat the 49ers. Commissioner Tagliabue’s approval spurred the league’s International Series, beginning in London’s Wembley in 2007 and expanding to multiple venues, shaping today’s push for additional overseas contests.

1 of 4

Buccaneers Want Slots

The NFL will release the 2026 schedule in the coming weeks, prompting the Buccaneers to state preferences.
The Buccaneers want multiple Sunday Night Football slots after a single 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a Thanksgiving road game—their only prior slot was in 2006—and a mid-season bye in Weeks 10–12 after a Week 5 bye in 2023.
Fans have asked that the Buccaneers-Rams matchup stay off prime-time broadcasts to avoid another loss.

1 / 4