News - The NFL season begins with an epic Super Bowl rematch.

The highly-anticipated 2026 NFL season is set to kick off with a blockbuster matchup featuring a Super Bowl rematch. On Wednesday, September 9, the reigning champions, the Seattle Seahawks, will square off against the New England Patriots in a game that promises fireworks. This clash marks the beginning of Seattle's quest to defend their title after a commanding 29-13 victory in Super Bowl LX. This game is just one of the highlights in the NFL's freshly released 272-game schedule for the 2026 regular season. Super Bowl rematches have now become a theme, with this year marking the fourth consecutive season a rematch of such significance occurs in the opener. The Seahawks' challenging schedule doesn't end there. It sees them pitted against three previous Super Bowl champions, including the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 8 on October 25, at their home ground, where Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP running back from Seattle, now calls home field. Later, in Week 15, Seattle will journey to face the Philadelphia Eagles on December 19, promising another exhilarating test of their mettle. Also notable are Seattle's encounters against the Los Angeles Rams, who were ousted by the Seahawks in last season's NFC Championship Game. They will clash twice in the season’s concluding weeks, on Christmas Day and in the regular-season finale on January 10. Adding further excitement, the top overall draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, is set to make his much-anticipated NFL debut for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. Other teams with playoff aspirations face various challenges in the schedule. The AFC South winner Jacksonville Jaguars will conclude their season with seven of their last ten games away from home, increasing the pressure. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, holding the most arduous schedule due to their rivals' 2025 win percentages, face a daunting road with a finale that includes games at Buffalo, against archrivals Green Bay and Detroit at home, and a trip to Minnesota. In contrast, the Cincinnati Bengals, coming from a difficult season, have a more favorable slate. Despite opening against tough opponents, eight of their next nine games are against teams that missed the playoffs last year, providing an optimistic path to rebound. The Kansas City Chiefs, after missing the playoffs with Patrick Mahomes for the first time, have a challenging route back to contention. Their season’s latter half is rife with pivotal matchups, featuring games against top-tier teams, including an arduous stretch with travels to Buffalo and Los Angeles. The season will climax with Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 14, with all eyes on who will compete for the ultimate prize in football.