The 2026 National Football League campaign launches with a classic Super Bowl rematch, as the reigning champions Seattle Seahawks welcome the New England Patriots for the opening night showdown on Wednesday. This marquee fixture sets the tone for a week packed with high‑stakes matchups, and Sky Sports is poised to deliver comprehensive live coverage across its suite of channels. Beyond the headline game that tips off in the early hours of Thursday morning, Sky Sports has scheduled seven additional contests for Week One, while also revealing the live slate for Week Two. The first exclusive Sunday night encounter arrives at 6 p.m.
with the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Houston Texans. This kickoff marks the season’s inaugural prime‑time slot and will be streamed live on Sky Sports NFL. Following that, the divisional clash between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles is slated for 9:25 p.m., also on Sky Sports NFL.
Three further games will be available on the Sky Sports + platform later that Sunday evening, providing fans with a broader selection of live action. The NFC East rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants will headline the Sunday night slot, while the Monday night finale of the opening week will feature the Denver Broncos taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Here is the full Week One schedule as broadcast by Sky Sports: - New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:20 a.m. Thursday (live on Sky Sports NFL & 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) - Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants – 1:20 a.m. Monday (live on Sky Sports NFL & Sky Sports Main Event) - Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs – 1:15 a.m.
Tuesday (live on Sky Sports NFL & Sky Sports Main Event) - Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills – 1:15 a.m. Friday (live on Sky Sports NFL & 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 & 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) - Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs – 1:20 a.m. Monday (live on Sky Sports NFL & Sky Sports Main Event) - New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams – 1:15 a.m. Tuesday (live on Sky Sports NFL & Sky Sports Main Event) Sky Sports will continue its role as the premier destination for NFL coverage across the United Kingdom and Ireland, broadcasting more than half of every regular‑season game live throughout the campaign.
The network’s portfolio includes the traditional Sunday evening double‑headers, primetime spectacles, NFL Redzone, International Series contests, Thanksgiving Day fixtures, the postseason, and the culminating Super Bowl LXI. Each week, fans can anticipate a robust selection of top‑tier matchups. Sky Sports retains the exclusive first‑pick for the Sunday 6 p.m.
game on Sky Sports NFL, as well as the coveted first‑pick for the 9 p.m. slot. In addition, a secondary 6 p.m.
game and up to two additional 9 p.m. contests will be broadcast concurrently across Sky’s channels, ensuring that viewers have multiple options to follow their favorite teams. For the 2026 season, Sky Sports is expanding its on‑the‑ground production footprint in the United States.
The broadcaster will increase its presence at stadiums, delivering richer storytelling, deeper analysis, and more immersive reporting from the heart of American football. Veteran presenters Neil Reynolds, Phoebe Schecter, and Jason Bell will anchor the regular Sunday lineup, while former NFL star Bridget Condon and former defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will front the live US‑based broadcasts. The dedicated Sky Sports NFL channel will once again serve as the round‑the‑clock hub for league action in the UK and Ireland, covering the regular season through to Super Bowl LXI, which is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, 14 February 2027. Fans eager to watch the 2026 NFL season can subscribe to Sky Sports or stream the coverage contract‑free via NOW.
This ensures access to every live game, every playoff battle, and the grand finale at the Super Bowl, delivering a seamless football experience from kickoff to the final whistle.