The 2026 National Football League campaign kicks off with a high‑stakes clash that mirrors a recent Super Bowl encounter: the defending champion Seattle Seahawks will welcome the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. This marquee game sets the tone for a busy opening week, and Sky Sports has lined up a total of seven additional live matchups for fans across the United Kingdom and Ireland, while also revealing the schedule for Week Two. One of the most anticipated fixtures is the Buffalo Bills versus the Houston Texans, slated for the first exclusive Sunday night kickoff of the season at 6:00 p.m.
This early‑evening showdown will be followed by a divisional battle between the Washington Commanders and the Philadelphia Eagles, which begins at 9:25 p.m. on Sky Sports NFL. Both games will be streamed live, giving supporters the chance to watch their favorite teams compete in prime‑time slots.
Beyond these headline events, Sky Sports+ will carry three more Sunday evening contests, expanding the viewing options for fans who want a full slate of action. The NFC East rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants will be featured as the Sunday night offering, while the Denver Broncos will travel to face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Monday night clash that promises fireworks.
Here is the complete lineup of live broadcasts for Week One, along with the channels on which they will appear: - 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+ – streaming) - 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 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. Sunday (live on Sky Sports NFL) - Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots – 6:00 p.m. Sunday (live on Sky Sports Football) - Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos – 9:05 p.m.
Sunday (live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event) - Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys – 9:25 p.m. Sunday (live on Sky Sports Football) - Seattle Seahawks @ Arizona Cardinals – 9:25 p.m.
Sunday (live on Sky Sports+ – streaming) - 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 games live throughout the season across its suite of channels. This includes the traditional Sunday evening double‑headers, primetime spectacles, the NFL Redzone feed, International Series contests, Thanksgiving Day matchups, the postseason, and ultimately Super Bowl LXI.
Fans can look forward each week to a carefully curated selection of the best games. Sky retains the exclusive first‑pick for the Sunday 6:00 p.m. slot on Sky Sports NFL, as well as the first choice for the 9:00 p.m.
Sunday game. In addition, a second 6:00 p.m.
game and up to two extra 9:00 p.m. contests will be aired simultaneously on Sky Sports channels, providing even greater flexibility for viewers. For the 2026 campaign, Sky Sports is expanding its on‑the‑ground production footprint in the United States. The broadcaster will deliver enhanced reporting, richer storytelling, and deeper coverage directly from the heart of American football.
Regular Sunday presenters Neil Reynolds, Phoebe Schecter, and Jason Bell will anchor the studio shows, while former NFL star Bridget Condon and former defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will front the live game broadcasts from the U.S. The dedicated Sky Sports NFL channel will remain the round‑the‑clock home for NFL action on linear television in the UK and Ireland, running from 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. To catch every moment of the 2026 NFL season, including all playoff games and the championship, viewers can subscribe to Sky Sports or stream the coverage contract‑free via NOW.
For the best viewing experience, Sky recommends using the Chrome browser, which provides a more accessible video player.