Story perspectives

NFL unveils 2026 schedule, Seattle opener, Melbourne, Rio games

5/9/2026

Summary

NFL Unveils Schedule

The NFL will unveil the 2026 schedule on May 14, 2026, after which Seattle Seahawks will host the season opener on Sept. 9.
The release will air on NFL Network, ESPN2 and ESPN App, with tickets at Seahawks.com.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed signed contracts worth $168 million and $51 million, respectively.
The NFL announced games in Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27, with more international matchups to be revealed on May 13.

Summary

NFL Unveils 2026

The NFL will generate and deliver the 2026 schedule via a partnership with Amazon Web Services, branding it “powered by AWS.”
The league will stream the schedule reveal on NFL Network, ESPN2 and the NFL Channel’s FAST platforms.
Teams will post schedules on their websites and social media at 7:30 p.m. ET on May 14.
The 2026 slate sets a record with nine international contests across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.

Summary

NFL Launches 2026

Sign up for 2026 NFL Game updates at nfl.com/London and nfl.com/Madrid.
Tickets 2026 will be sold through Ticketmaster, SeatGeek and Sports Illustrated Tickets.
The NFL.com schedule page adds a Marriott Bonvoy button linking to the nearest hotel.
The New York Giants retain marketing rights in Munich through 2029, enabling promotion of a home game abroad.
The Green Bay Packers will host five teams and travel to face five others in 2026.

Summary

Eagles WhiteHouse

The Super Bowl 59 champion Philadelphia Eagles visited the White House for a presidential ceremony.
Several prominent Eagles attended the ceremony while quarterback Jalen Hurts was absent.
The NFL announced that the 2026 schedule will be unveiled on Thursday, May 14.
NFL video president of broadcast planning Mike North said the release could have slipped into the third week of May before the date was set.

Summary

NFL Schedule

Flex-scheduling stays unchanged, allowing Sunday-to-Thursday moves with 21-day notice.
Monday Night Football will feature only one matchup per week, ending double-headers.
The Rams open Week 1 on September 10 (Pacific Time) in Melbourne against the 49ers, the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
Seattle’s Week 1 opponent is undecided, with an away schedule—Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, Broncos, Raiders, Eagles, Commanders, Panthers—that creates early cross-country travel that could test rest.

Summary

NFL Rights Probe

The Justice Department and FCC are probing NFL media-rights deals for breach of 1961 Sports Broadcasting Act.
Netflix is near a five-game streaming deal that includes Christmas, Australia Week 1, Thanksgiving Eve and Week 18 Saturday games.
YouTube may miss out after rejecting the NFL’s split of a seven-game block with Netflix.
Fox will air a Christmas Day game.
Hall of Fame Game will feature Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Stadium.

History

Historical Context

The NFL launched its International Series in 2007, staging the New York Giants-Miami Dolphins game at the newly rebuilt Wembley Stadium. Since then the league has added games in London, Mexico and other venues, growing the UK fan base from about 2.3 million in 2007 to a 6 million target. Building on that expansion, the 2026 schedule will feature nine regular-season contests on three continents.

1 of 7

NFL Unveils Schedule

The NFL will unveil the 2026 schedule on May 14, 2026, after which Seattle Seahawks will host the season opener on Sept. 9.
The release will air on NFL Network, ESPN2 and ESPN App, with tickets at Seahawks.com.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed signed contracts worth $168 million and $51 million, respectively.
The NFL announced games in Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27, with more international matchups to be revealed on May 13.

1 / 7