The 2026 NFL schedule officially releases Thursday, May 14 at 8 PM ET — but the league has already let several of the marquee matchups slip. By Thursday morning we'll know the season opener, two Thanksgiving games, the first Monday Night Football, all nine international games, and a record-setting slate of primetime moments.
This post is your gift-giver's guide to what's already been announced. We'll update it Thursday night with every team's full 17-game rundown and the right gift for each fanbase.
Week 1 — The Opening Weekend
Wednesday, Sept. 9 — Season opener at Seattle. The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks will open the 2026 season at home in primetime. The opponent gets revealed Thursday. If you've got a Seahawks fan in your family, this is the night their living room is going to be packed.
Thursday, Sept. 10 — 49ers vs. Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The first NFL game ever in Australia, kicking off the league's record-setting nine-game international slate. NFC West rivalry on the other side of the world.
Sunday, Sept. 13 — Cowboys at Giants, Sunday Night Football. NBC gets the marquee opener. The eighth time in the last fifteen seasons these two division rivals open the season against each other. MetLife will be loud.
Monday, Sept. 14 — Chiefs at Broncos, Monday Night Football. The first MNF of the year is an AFC West heavyweight — Patrick Mahomes against the defending AFC West champion Bo Nix and the Broncos. These two played in Week 17 last year; Denver won. The rematch lands on opening Monday.
Week 2 — The New Bills Stadium Opens
Thursday, Sept. 17 — Lions at Bills, Thursday Night Football. Buffalo's brand-new stadium opens with a primetime crowd. The Lions are the visitor on a national stage. For Bills fans, this is a once-in-a-generation game — the kind of night they'll be talking about for decades. If you know a Bills fan, mark it down now.
The International Slate — Nine Games on Four Continents
The NFL has confirmed nine international games for 2026, the most ever in a single season. The list includes Melbourne (49ers–Rams, Sept. 10), Rio de Janeiro (Ravens vs. Cowboys, Sept. 27), two London games (Jaguars and Commanders), Munich (Lions), Madrid (Falcons), Paris (Saints), and Mexico City (49ers).
For the fan in your life, an international game is a memory. If their team is playing overseas this year — Jaguars, Commanders, Lions, Saints, Falcons, 49ers, Ravens, Cowboys, or Rams — they're going to be watching at strange hours and talking about it for months.
Thanksgiving
Eagles at Cowboys, 4:30 PM ET. The Cowboys host as always, and this year they get the Eagles — the first Eagles–Cowboys Thanksgiving since 2014. NFC East at full volume in front of the biggest non-Super Bowl audience of the year. The Lions also play their traditional 1 PM home game (opponent TBA), and a third primetime Thanksgiving game on NBC is still to be announced.
Who's the Fan in Your Life?
Here's how the announced games shake out into gifts. If you're shopping for one of these fanbases, the schedule already tells you what to do.
Cowboys fan: Three primetime games already announced (Giants Week 1, Rio Week 3, Eagles on Thanksgiving). They're going to be the most-watched team on TV this fall. Shop Cowboys gifts →
Bills fan: New stadium opens Week 2 on Thursday Night Football. Buffalo fans have waited a long time for this moment. Shop Josh Allen plaques → · Shop all Bills gifts →
Eagles fan: Thanksgiving at Cowboys is the headline. Shop Jalen Hurts plaques → · Shop Saquon Barkley plaques → · Shop all Eagles gifts →
Chiefs fan: First Monday Night Football of the year against the Broncos. The dynasty era keeps going. Shop Patrick Mahomes plaques → · Shop all Chiefs gifts →
Broncos fan: Monday Night Football opener, AFC West champion, Bo Nix's second year. Big season ahead. Shop Bo Nix plaques → · Shop all Broncos gifts →
Seahawks fan: Defending Super Bowl champion. Wednesday night opener. The whole league is watching their banner go up. Shop JSN plaques → · Shop all Seahawks gifts →
Commanders fan: Jayden Daniels in year two and a London trip on the schedule. A team finally worth talking about. Shop Jayden Daniels plaques → · Shop all Commanders gifts →
A Quick Heads-Up on Father's Day
Father's Day is Sunday, June 21. Order by Sunday, June 8 to guarantee delivery. The schedule reveal Thursday is going to spark a lot of “wait, that's a perfect gift” thinking for the football dad in your life — and with five weeks to go, there's still plenty of time to get it right.
Check Back Thursday Night
The full 2026 NFL schedule releases Thursday, May 14 at 8 PM ET. We'll update this post the same night with every team's marquee moments — the games that matter most for each fanbase, and the right gift for the fan in your life.