US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Seattle to Host 2026 NFL Opener as League Expands Globally
The NFL adjusted the schedule due to the Sports Broadcasting Act, with nine international games planned for 2026 including the first regular-season game in Australia.
- On Wednesday, Sept. 9, the Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks will host the 2026 season opener at Lumen Field with an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.
- This schedule adjustment accommodates an international matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, as the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 prohibits professional football broadcasts on Fridays and Saturdays in September.
- Only four other NFL games have occurred on a Wednesday since 1950; the last season-opening Wednesday game in 2012 featured the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, moved to avoid conflict with President Barack Obama's speech.
- Playing this Wednesday contest makes the Seahawks the ninth NFL team to have played on every day of the week. The Melbourne contest takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, Sept. 10.
- Broadcasting rights negotiations are currently underway between the NFL and its media partners, with the league reportedly seeking an extra $1 billion annually following the Paramount-Skydance merger.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
22 Articles
22 Articles
NFL Expands Global Reach with Historic 2026 Season Opener | Sports-Games
The 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 9 in Seattle, breaking from the usual Thursday opener. The season will see a record nine international games across four continents, featuring new host cities like Melbourne, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro, alongside returning locations such as London and Munich.
·India
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left9Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 44%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
