The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are officially kicking off the 2026 NFL season against the New England Patriots, in a rematch of that epic big game from February. Seriously, folks, we barely got a breather, and now the Hawks are back on center stage, taking on the defending AFC champs right out of the gate. This isn’t just any season opener; it’s the ultimate statement game, right here in our own backyard.
The Rematch We All Wanted, Right Here at Home
Get ready for a primetime showdown, Seattle! Our Seahawks, led by Coach Mike Macdonald and OC Brian Fleury, hit the field on Wednesday, September 9, at 8:20 p.m. ET, live on NBC. And where else would it be? Right here at Lumen Field in the Emerald City! Can you believe the schedule makers gave us a Super Bowl rematch for Week 1? This isn’t just a game; it’s a test of wills, a true championship clash. We’ll see Sam Darnold under center, launching those deep balls to our incredible receiving corps: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, against the very same Patriots we fought for the Lombardi Trophy. That energy at Lumen Field is going to be absolutely electric. This is where we show the entire league that last season wasn’t a fluke; we’re here to run it back.
Early Season Gauntlet and a Global Game Feast
The 2026 schedule doesn’t let up for our Hawks, giving us immediate tests that will define our early season momentum. After that epic opener against the Patriots, Seattle hits the road for Week 2, heading to Arizona on Sunday, September 20, with a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff on Fox. Then, we’re on the road again in Week 3, heading east to face the Commanders on Sunday, September 27, at 1 p.m. ET, also on Fox. Three challenging games, three strong showings absolutely needed to set the tone for a championship defense. This early stretch is crucial for building the kind of momentum that carries a team deep into the season.
Beyond our Hawks’ immediate path, the league itself is going all out this year. They’ve got a record nine international games on the slate, hitting up places like Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. Plus, get this: there’s a game on Thanksgiving Eve, another on Christmas Eve, and even a tripleheader on Christmas Day! No excuses for missing any action, even with family around. Just make sure your Paramount+ subscription is ready for all those CBS games, and fubo for everything else on NFL Network, Fox, NBC, ABC, and ESPN.
Three weeks down, and we’ll have a crystal-clear picture of what kind of beast our Seahawks team is. The focus is squarely on those first three matchups: Patriots, Arizona, then the Commanders. Every snap, every play, every single down matters when you’re defending champions. So crank up the volume, grab your favorite brew, and let’s get loud, Seattle! This season is going to be absolutely wild, and it starts with a bang we won’t soon forget.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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