Get ready, 12s, because the 2026 NFL regular season is kicking off in a wild way, and our Seattle Seahawks are taking center stage early! Forget your traditional Thursday night opener, because the Hawks are set to host the New England Patriots in a rare Wednesday night game on September 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET. That’s right, Wednesday. Your Seahawks are getting a primetime slot that nobody saw coming for the very first game of the season, and it’s going to be electric under the lights at Lumen Field.
A Week 1 Like No Other for the Emerald City
After the Hall of Fame Game and preseason wrapped up, it felt like forever, but now the real deal is here, and our beloved Seahawks are leading the charge. This unique Wednesday kickoff isn’t just some random scheduling quirk either. The traditional season opener, usually hosted by the reigning Super Bowl champions, got bumped up a day. Why? Because the league’s first international game of the season, featuring the 49ers and Rams, is happening in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, September 10. That shift opened the door for our Hawks to own the first night of the 2026 season. Imagine it: the entire football world tuned in, watching Sam Darnold take snaps, Jaxon Smith-Njigba making highlight reels, and Cooper Kupp carving up secondaries. Coach Mike Macdonald and OC Brian Fleury get to set the tone immediately for the entire league. It’s a huge moment for the green and blue, and you know the energy in Seattle will be absolutely insane.
The League Gets Rolling After Our Guys Lead The Way
While our Seahawks are getting things started early, the rest of the league won’t be far behind. That Thursday game between the 49ers and Rams down under is definitely a unique one. Then the full slate of Week 1 action really explodes on Sunday, September 13, with a ton of games kicking off at 1 p.m. ET and 4:25 p.m. ET. We’re talking Bengals vs. Buccaneers, Lions vs. Saints, Steelers vs. Falcons, and so many more. The primetime matchups keep rolling too, with the Giants and Cowboys clashing on “Sunday Night Football” at 8:20 p.m. ET. Then, to wrap up the opening week, the Chiefs and Broncos go head-to-head on “Monday Night Football” at 8:15 p.m. ET. It’s a loaded schedule, but let’s be real, none of it matters as much as that first whistle for our Hawks.
So, mark your calendars, 12s! Wednesday, September 9, is the day. The preseason is officially in the rearview mirror, and the real competition begins. We get to see our team, our guys, battle under the lights, starting the season with a statement. This is what we live for, Seattle. Let’s get loud!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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