Reigning NFL champion Seattle will kick off the 2026 campaign at home on September 9, a Wednesday date one day earlier than recent seasons, the league announced on Wednesday.

The opener was moved from its usual Thursday slot because the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet in Melbourne in the first NFL regular-season game in Australia on what will be Thursday night in the United States, the league said.

The Rams and 49ers will meet at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11 at 10.35 am local time in Australia to set up a prime time telecast over most of the United States.

The Seahawks' opponent for their week one contest in Seattle will be announced when the full NFL schedule is released later.

Tickets for the Australia game will go on sale to the public in April.

An NFL record nine international games will be played in 2026 across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.

The global line-up includes other games in Mexico City, Madrid, Paris, Munich, Rio de Janeiro and three in London, one at Wembley Stadium and two at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (AFP)



Edited by Cecil Wong