The New England Patriots will open the 2026 NFL season against the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch of Super Bowl LX at Lumen Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET. NBC and Peacock hold the broadcast rights for the primetime affair, which doubles as the Seahawks' first Wednesday night home game in franchise history.
The NFL released its complete 272-game schedule on Thursday, May 14. League officials selected the Seahawks versus Patriots contest to lead off the year and generate immediate national interest.
Barstool Sports podcaster Kirk Minihane broke the news early. "Patriots will open the season in Seattle on 9/9, per sources," he wrote.
ESPN confirmed the Week 1 matchup details and noted its placement on the Seahawks' home slate. USA Today highlighted the Super Bowl rematch angle in its schedule coverage. NFL.com posted the exact kickoff time and television information.
Both teams enter the game with clear motivations. Seattle aims to defend its home turf in front of an energized Lumen Field crowd, while New England seeks a strong start on the road to build early momentum.
The Wednesday timing creates a distinctive atmosphere compared with traditional Sunday openers. Fans across the Pacific Northwest have already begun planning around the midweek event that carries extra weight due to the recent championship history between the clubs.
Coaches and players from both sides now have the full calendar to map out preparations. The early date forces quick roster decisions and training camp adjustments that will ripple through the rest of the season.
This high-profile opener sets an energetic tone for the 2026 campaign and gives every other team a clear target date to chase in their own preparations.
The anticipation builds as both franchises prepare for this marquee event that kicks off the new year.
