The NFL releases its 2026 regular-season schedule with a Super Bowl rematch as the season opener. On 9 September, the Seattle Seahawks—who won the latest Super Bowl against the New England Patriots—play New England in what both outlets describe as a replay of the championship matchup. The game is listed as the first of the season’s 272 regular-season fixtures and is also framed as a celebration of Seattle’s championship banner.
The schedule also includes international matchups, with the league arranging a record nine games outside the United States during the 2026 season, according to The Guardian. Sky Sports similarly reports that the opener falls on 9 September and features the Seahawks hosting the Patriots.
Taken together, the reports establish the date, the matchup, and the broader structure of the season’s release, including the league’s international slate. Details of the full slate beyond the opener and the international game count are not provided in the excerpts.
