Are you ready for some football? The 2026 NFL schedule is starting to take shape, and the league is kicking off its announcements with a blockbuster rivalry that's sure to get fans fired up.
NBC Sports has revealed that Sunday Night Football will open its season on September 13 with a classic NFC East showdown: the Dallas Cowboys traveling to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants. This primetime matchup brings together two storied franchises with very different trajectories. The Cowboys, despite their recent ups and downs on the field, remain one of the league's biggest television draws—a team that consistently pulls in massive audiences. Meanwhile, the Giants are entering a new era under freshly hired head coach John Harbaugh, who signed a five-year, $100 million deal in January, tying him with Kansas City's Andy Reid as the NFL's highest-paid coach.
This announcement is just the beginning of a week-long rollout of key games across the NFL's major media partners. Over the next few days, networks will reveal their marquee matchups, often during their upfront presentations in New York. The full 2026 regular season schedule is set to drop on Thursday night, and it promises some notable changes from last year. Fans can expect the likely introduction of a Thanksgiving Eve game and an increased presence for streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube.
The league is laser-focused on maximizing viewership for all 272 regular season games, especially after enjoying a 10% audience growth in 2025. The opening Sunday night game is a critical part of setting an early tone, and what better way to start than with a heated division rivalry that's sure to deliver drama and excitement?
As for the season opener on September 9, the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will host the traditional kickoff game at Lumen Field. However, neither the NFL nor NBC has yet announced their opponent. Speculation has been running wild since the Seahawks' dominant victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, with fans and media partners alike guessing which of Seattle's nine home opponents will get the prime slot. The kickoff game also comes with an unusual Wednesday date, moved to accommodate the league's evolving schedule.
Whether you're a die-hard fan of these NFC East rivals or just love the energy of primetime football, this season is shaping up to be one for the books. Gear up for game day with the latest styles and show your team pride all season long.