The NFL’s offseason pauses for one of its biggest television events on Thursday night, when the league finally reveals the complete 2026 regular-season schedule and gives every fan base a clearer picture of the road ahead.
Laura Rutledge will host the two-hour primetime show on ESPN, with analysts from ESPN and NFL Network breaking down the biggest matchups, Monday Night Football games and NFL Network schedule.
The reveal carries extra weight this year because ESPN is preparing for what it has called its “Year of the Super Bowl,” with the network set to present its first Super Bowl broadcast at the end of the 2026 season.
Some major games are already known. The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will open the season on Wednesday, September 9, although their opponent hasn’t yet been revealed.
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia on September 10, while the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are set for the opening Sunday Night Football game.
How to watch the 2026 NFL schedule release
The full 2026 NFL schedule release airs Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET and Fans can watch on ESPN, NFL Network, the ESPN App and NFL+.
For teams, the announcement does more than fill out a calendar. It shapes rest advantages, travel demands, prime-time exposure and playoff paths months before the first snap.
The Cleveland Browns are projected to have one of the league’s easiest schedules based on opponents’ 2025 winning percentage, while the Chicago Bears are expected to face the toughest slate.
The Bears are coming off an 11-6 season and an NFC North title, but history is not friendly to teams entering a season with the toughest schedule.
NFL international games in 2026
The NFL has already announced a record nine international games for 2026, with regular-season games across four continents and several new host cities.
The confirmed international games are:
- Week 1: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne
- Week 3: Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens in Rio de Janeiro
- Week 4: Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts in London
- Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles in London
- Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans in London
- Week 7: New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris
- Week 9: Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid
- Week 10: Detroit Lions vs. New England Patriots in Munich
- Week 11: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City
San Francisco’s schedule is especially demanding. The 49ers will play in both Australia and Mexico, putting them on track for one of the most travel-heavy seasons in NFL history.
There are also several personal storylines to watch once the full schedule drops, including Daniel Jones facing the New York Giants with the Indianapolis Colts and Baker Mayfield meeting Kevin Stefanski twice after the coach took over the Atlanta Falcons.
By the end of Thursday night, the speculation will be over. The matchups, dates and prime-time windows will be set, and the long countdown to the 2026 NFL season will finally begin.
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