The Raiders drafted quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana. The Ravens got tapped to take on the Cowboys in the first-ever NFL Rio Game, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach. No, the NFL offseason is not lacking for news – and things are just getting started.
Read on for the key dates of the 2026 NFL season, plus get everything we know right now about the schedule. You’ll also find how to watch NFL on CBS games when the new season begins. This game is on now.
When will the 2026 NFL schedule be released?
You can expect the 2026 NFL schedule to be released this spring. More specifically, as reported by CBSSports.com, the schedule “will be coming out at some point in mid-May.” Last year, the schedule was released on May 14, 2025 – a Wednesday, if you like to look for potential patterns.
The NFL calls the annual creation of its regular-season schedule – 17 weeks of games and one bye for each of its 32 teams – its “272-game masterpiece.”
What are key dates for the 2026 NFL Season?
While the NFL’s latest masterpiece has yet to be revealed, we’ve gotten a glimpse of some of its most colorful strokes. including details on the annual NFL Kickoff Game – to feature the Super Bowl LX champs, the Seahawks.
Here’s a look at key dates that are locked in for the 2026 NFL Season:
Week 1
- Teams: TBA at Seattle Seahawks (2026 NFL Kickoff Game)
- Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026
- Time: 8:20 PM ET
- Channel: NBC/Peacock
- Venue: Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
- Teams: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (2026 NFL Melbourne Game)
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
- Time: 8:35 PM ET
- Channel: TBA
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne, Australia)
Week 3
- Teams: Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:25 PM ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
- City: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Venue: Maracanã Stadium
Super Bowl LXI
- Teams: TBD vs. TBD
- Date: Sunday, February 14, 2027
- Time: TBA
- Channel: ABC/ESPN
- Venue: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
What do we know about the 2026 NFL International games?
There will be a record nine NFL International games on the 2026 NFL schedule. The games will span four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. Along the way, Paris and Melbourne will host their first NFL regular-season games, Rio de Janeiro will host its first NFL game, full stop, and the Jaguars will play two games in London.
The NFL has already designated the home team in each international contest. Dates, matchups, and start times are to be announced.
Here’s a rundown of the 2026 NFL International games, current as of publication:
2026 NFL London games
- Teams: TBA vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: London, U.K.
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Teams: TBA vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: London, U.K.
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Teams: TBA vs. Washington Commanders
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: London, U.K.
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
2026 NFL Madrid Game
- Teams: TBA vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: Madrid, Spain
- Venue: Bernabéu Stadium
2026 NFL Melbourne Game
- Teams: San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
- Time: 8:35 PM ET
- City: Melbourne, Australia
- Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
2026 NFL Mexico City Game
- Teams: TBA vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: Mexico City, Mexico
- Venue: Estadio Banorte
2026 NFL Munich Game
- Teams: TBA vs. Detroit Lions
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
- Time: 8:35 PM ET
- City: Munich, Germany
- Venue: FC Bayern Munich Arena
2026 NFL Paris Game
- Teams: TBA vs. New Orleans Saints
- Date: TBA
- Time: TBA
- City: Paris, France
- Venue: Stade de France Stadium
2026 NFL Rio Game
- Teams: Ravens vs. Cowboys
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Time: 4:25 PM ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
- City: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Venue: Maracanã Stadium
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The 2026 NFL regular season starts Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, with the Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl champs, hosting the annual, season-starting NFL Kickoff Game at Lumen Field. The Seahawks’ opponent has not yet been announced. The game is set to air on NBC/Peacock.
When is Super Bowl LXI?
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 14, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Big Game will air on ABC/ESPN.
SoFi Stadium, the home of Los Angeles’s Rams and Chargers, previously was the site of 2022’s Super Bowl LVI.
How to watch NFL on CBS games in 2026
When the 2026 NFL season kicks off, you can watch live NFL on CBS games on your local CBS TV station. Games vary by market, so you’ll want to check your local listings to see which games will be carried by your local station. All NFL on CBS games airing on your local CBS station can be streamed live on Paramount+ with a subscription to any plan.
