The 2026 National Football League campaign kicks off with a highly anticipated rematch of the previous Super Bowl, as the defending champions Seattle Seahawks welcome the New England Patriots to their home field on Wednesday night. This marquee matchup sets the tone for a bustling opening week, and Sky Sports has lined up a total of seven additional live games for fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland, while also revealing the schedule for the second week of action. One of the highlights of the opening Sunday is the exclusive 6:00 p.m.
kickoff featuring the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Houston Texans. This game will be the first exclusive primetime slot of the season on Sky Sports NFL, followed later in the evening by a divisional showdown between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles at 9:25 p.m., also on Sky Sports NFL. In addition to these two fixtures, three more contests will be streamed on Sky Sports +, giving viewers a variety of options across the night. The Sunday night slot will showcase another NFC East rivalry as the Dallas Cowboys head to New York to take on the Giants, while the Monday night game will pit the Denver Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs, rounding out the opening week’s marquee matchups.
Below is the complete schedule for Week 1, with broadcast details for each game: - New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:20 a.m. Thursday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Buffalo Bills @ Houston Texans – 6:00 p.m. Sunday (live on Sky Sports NFL) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday (live on Sky Sports +) - Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles – 9:25 p.m. Sunday (live on Sky Sports NFL) - Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – 9:25 p.m.
Sunday (live on Sky Sports +) - Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders – 9:25 p.m. Sunday (live on Sky Sports + – streaming only) - Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants – 1:20 a.m.
Monday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs – 1:15 a.m. Tuesday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills – 1:15 a.m. Friday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears – 6:00 p.m. Friday (live on Sky Sports NFL) - Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots – 6:00 p.m.
Friday (live on Sky Sports Football) - Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos – 9:05 p.m. Friday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys – 9:25 p.m.
Friday (live on Sky Sports Football) - Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals – 9:25 p.m. Friday (live on Sky Sports + – streaming only) - Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs – 1:20 a.m. Monday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams – 1:15 a.m.
Tuesday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) Sky Sports will continue to provide the most extensive NFL coverage available in the UK and Ireland, broadcasting more than half of all regular‑season games live across its suite of channels. This includes the traditional Sunday evening double‑headers, prime‑time Thursday and Monday night games, NFL RedZone, the International Series fixtures, Thanksgiving Day matchups, the postseason, and ultimately Super Bowl LXI, which is scheduled for Sunday, 14 February 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Fans can expect the broadcaster’s signature first‑pick exclusive game each Sunday at 6:00 p.m. on Sky Sports NFL, as well as the first‑pick 9:00 p.m.
slot. In many weeks, a second 6:00 p.m. game and up to two additional 9:00 p.m.
contests will be aired simultaneously on Sky Sports +, giving viewers a broader selection of live action. For the 2026 season, Sky Sports is expanding its on‑the‑ground production capabilities in the United States. The network will deploy larger crews, enhanced reporting teams, and richer storytelling to bring British audiences closer to the heart of American football.
Regular Sunday presenting duties will be led by Neil Reynolds, Phoebe Schecter, and Jason Bell, while former NFL star Ndamukong Suh and presenter Bridget Condon will front the live broadcast teams directly from the U.S. The dedicated Sky Sports NFL channel will remain the round‑the‑clock home for the league throughout the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl, ensuring that fans never miss a moment of the action. Viewers can watch every game live, including the full playoff run and the championship, either through a traditional Sky Sports subscription or via the NOW streaming service, which offers a contract‑free option.
To enjoy the best possible viewing experience, Sky Sports recommends using the Chrome browser, which provides a more accessible video player for streaming the live feeds. Whether you are a longtime supporter of the Seahawks, a Patriots fan eager for a chance at redemption, or simply a lover of high‑octane football, the 2026 NFL season promises a thrilling start and a comprehensive broadcast lineup that will keep you glued to the screen all year long.