The 2026 NFL season kicks off on Thursday 10 September 2026 and runs for 18 weeks and 272 regular-season games before the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on 14 February 2027. Below are the key dates, how to watch and the season at a glance. Every game is on our NFL schedule calendar.
Key facts
| Kickoff Game | Thursday 10 September 2026 |
| Regular season | 18 weeks, 272 games |
| Thanksgiving games | Thursday 26 November 2026 |
| Regular season ends | Sunday 3 January 2027 |
| Playoffs begin | Wild Card Weekend, 9–11 January 2027 |
| Super Bowl LXI | Sunday 14 February 2027 |
| Teams | 32 (AFC and NFC) |
Key dates
The headline dates of the 2026 NFL season. Individual games are listed on our NFL schedule calendar.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Thursday 10 September | NFL Kickoff Game (Week 1) |
| Thursday 26 November | Thanksgiving (triple-header) |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day games |
| Sunday 3 January | Week 18 — regular season ends |
| 9–11 January | Wild Card Weekend |
| 16–17 January | Divisional Round |
| Sunday 24 January | Conference Championships |
| Sunday 14 February | Super Bowl LXI |
How to watch
Tickets
Tickets for individual games are sold through Ticketmaster and each team’s box office, with the NFL International Series games in London, Munich, Madrid and elsewhere sold separately and early. Super Bowl LXI tickets are allocated through the league’s official channels.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 NFL season start?
The 2026 NFL season kicks off with the NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday 10 September 2026, followed by the first full slate of Week 1 games that weekend.
When is Super Bowl LXI?
Super Bowl LXI is on Sunday 14 February 2027, concluding the 2026 NFL season.
How many games are in the NFL regular season?
Each team plays 17 games across an 18-week regular season, for 272 games in total, before the 14-team playoffs.
How can I watch the NFL in 2026?
In the US, games are on CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN/ABC, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. In the UK, they are on Sky Sports and NFL Game Pass via DAZN, with the Super Bowl free to air on the BBC.