NFL schedule release: Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl rematch will kick off 2026 season

• New season will kick off on 9 September

• League arranges record nine international games

The 2026 NFL season will kick off with a Super Bowl rematch. Mike Macdonald, Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks will face off against Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and the New England Patriots after raising their championship banner on 9 September in the first of the season’s 272 games.

The Seahawks dominated the Patriots in a 29-13 victory in February that secured the franchise’s second NFL title.

You can see the full schedule for 2026 here.