When does the NFL season start? The countdown to Week 1

After a long and excruciating wait, the 2026 NFL season is almost upon us, and it cannot come soon enough.

Two more weeks of preseason games are all that stand between now and the season opener, a rematch of Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

Here's your countdown to Week 1.

Week 1 is only 23 days away!

The 2026 regular season schedule gets underway on Thursday, September 10, arriving a day earlier than usual, with the league reserving the Thursday night slot for its first-ever game on Australian soil.

But before that game, covered here later, there's the matter of this exciting curtain-raiser:

Week 1: Patriots @ Seahawks on Thursday, September 10

The scheduling gods have definitely made things fun for fans with this opener at Lumen Field in Seattle.

This rematch between the two Super Bowl finalists features no shortage of talent, with Drake Maye, A.J. Brown, and Christian Gonzalez going up against Sam Darnold, 2025 OPOY Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Devon Witherspoon.

The Patriots have set their sights on revenge, making this showdown a must-watch.

How to watch the Patriots @ Seahawks on DAZN

NFL Game Pass subscribers can tune in on DAZN at the following times to watch the action live.

• Kick-off (BST): 1.20am on Thursday, September 10
• Kick-off (ET): 8.20pm on Wednesday, September 9
• Kick-off (PT): 5.20pm on Wednesday, September 9

Week 1: 49ers vs. Rams on Friday, September 11

DAZN

Barely 24 hours later, we visit Melbourne, where the 49ers and Rams make history in the first NFL regular-season game in Australia.

Held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), these division rivals will be going all out to emerge from Week 1 with the all-important W.

It promises to be a thriller, with stars such as Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Mike Evans facing off against 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and reigning DPOY Myles Garrett.

How to watch the 49ers vs. Rams on DAZN

NFL Game Pass subscribers can tune in on DAZN at the following times to watch live.

• Kick-off (BST): Friday, September 11 at 1.35am
• Kick-off (ET): Thursday, September 10, at 8.35pm
• Kick-off (PT): Thursday, September 10, at 5.35pm
• Kick-off (AEST): Friday, September 11, at 10.35am

Click here for a full game preview.

Watch every game of the 2026 NFL season only on DAZN

The 2026 NFL season is fast approaching, including nine international games, and you can catch every snap on DAZN.

Enjoy an unmatched viewing experience with an NFL Game Pass subscription, which includes incredible features such as RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, Multiview, and more.

With prices starting from £179.99 per year or £16.99 per month, you can catch every twist, turn, and touchdown live or on-demand, from Week 1 to the Super Bowl.

And with every preseason game available live and free, it's the perfect chance to experience everything NFL Game Pass has to offer.

Sign up for Game Pass on DAZN now and get your front-row seat to the 2026 season.