NFL confirms 2026 season opener as Patriots visit Seahawks

The National Football League has finalised the start date for the 2026 regular season, confirming that play will commence on Wednesday, 9 September. The opening match of the campaign will see the New England Patriots travel to Seattle to take on the host Seahawks.

In conjunction with the confirmed start date, the league has released a complete schedule for Week 1. This release includes specific details regarding kickoff times and the television channels designated for broadcasting the matches across the season opener.

The scheduling of the season opener places significant focus on the Seattle franchise, which will host the first game of the year. The Patriots are listed as the visiting team for this fixture, marking the beginning of their campaign against the Seahawks.

Beyond the immediate fixture details, the Seahawks’ roster situation has drawn attention in the lead-up to the season. Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold visited the Seahawks for a tryout in August 2026 and indicated plans to sign with the club.

Arnold’s potential move follows a turbulent period in his career. He was released by the Detroit Lions in late June 2026 after being arrested on felony charges related to an incident in Tampa, Florida, earlier in the year.

The charges against Arnold involve accusations of orchestrating the kidnapping and beating of three men. He faces four counts related to the incident, with his legal status described as ongoing. Despite these legal complications, Arnold had previously visited the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants before his Seattle tryout.

The NFL’s release of the Week 1 schedule and broadcast information provides the final logistical framework for the start of the 2026 season, setting the stage for the Patriots-Seahawks clash on 9 September.