The NFL has officially released its 2026-27 regular-season schedule, and the drama is already heating up—both on the gridiron and in the broadcast booth. With a 272-game slate packed into an action-packed calendar, this season promises more exclusive windows, more holiday football, and more storylines than ever before. Here's what you need to know.
Holiday Football Gets a Major Upgrade
Fresh off a record-breaking 2025 season for holiday viewership, the NFL is doubling down on festive football. For the first time ever, a Thanksgiving Eve game will air exclusively on Netflix, featuring the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. The traditional Thanksgiving Day lineup on CBS and Fox will showcase fierce divisional rivalries, capped off by an NBC primetime showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. Amazon's Black Friday game returns for its fourth edition, this time pitting the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And for Christmas, Netflix will host a doubleheader with the Packers taking on the Chicago Bears and the Bills facing the Broncos, followed by a Fox primetime rematch of last season's NFC Championship between the Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
Blockbuster Kickoff on NBC
The season kicks off Wednesday, September 9, on NBC with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. This unexpected prime-time opener shines an even brighter spotlight on the ongoing personal scandal surrounding Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, adding a layer of off-field intrigue to what promises to be a high-stakes game.
Global Expansion Continues
The NFL is taking its show worldwide with an unprecedented nine-game international slate, featuring broadcasts on CBS, Fox, and NBC. These matchups are expected to draw historic viewership numbers, further cementing the league's growing global footprint.
Road to Super Bowl LXI
ESPN and its parent company Disney are going all-in on Super Bowl LXI coverage, aiming to shatter viewership records. Their Monday Night Football schedule is stacked, featuring every 2025 playoff team, plus multiple appearances by the Bills, Rams, Chiefs, Eagles, and Seahawks. Expect fireworks every Monday night.
Raiders' Primetime Snub
Despite selecting Indiana star and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders were notably absent from the primetime schedule. It's a surprising move that has fans and analysts buzzing—and raises questions about the team's marketability heading into the new season.
Whether you're gearing up for game day or just love the spectacle, this season's schedule is packed with must-watch moments. Stay tuned for more updates and gear up for the action ahead.