2026 NFL Season Overview
The 2026 NFL season opens Wednesday, September 9, with the defending Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots, the team they beat 29-13 for the title. From there, 18 weeks and 272 games unfold across every night of the week: standalone primetime showcases on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 9 international games in 7 cities. See the full NFL schedule for every game of the week, or jump straight to live NFL odds if you already know what you’re betting. The Los Angeles Rams enter as the current favorite to hoist the trophy, with full Super Bowl LXI odds and season-long futures for all 32 teams live now, before the board tightens at training camp. The season closes with a 14-team playoff field and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium. Every game and every market is live at BUSR from the first snap to the final whistle.
2026 Season Key Dates
How the 2026 Season Is Structured
Each team plays 17 games across 18 weeks, with one bye week built in for every roster. The full league schedule totals 272 games across all 32 teams, running from the September 9 Kickoff Game through early January.
7 teams from each conference qualify: the 4 division winners earn the top 4 seeds, and 3 wild card teams fill out the rest of the bracket by record. The No. 1 seed in each conference gets a bye through the Wild Card round.
Once the playoffs begin, every game is win or go home. Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship rounds narrow the field from 14 teams down to the two that meet in Super Bowl LXI.
9 games across 7 cities take the league worldwide in 2026, including stops in London, Madrid, Munich, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Melbourne and Mexico City, part of the NFL’s continued global expansion.
Explore the 2026 NFL Season at BUSR
2026 NFL Season FAQ
When does the 2026 NFL season start and end?
The 2026 NFL regular season opens Wednesday, September 9, with the Kickoff Game and runs 18 weeks through early January 2027, followed by the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
How many teams make the NFL playoffs?
14 teams make the NFL playoffs, 7 from each conference. Each conference’s bracket includes the 4 division winners, who earn the top 4 seeds, plus 3 wild card teams with the next-best records. The top seed in each conference gets a bye in the Wild Card round.
How many games are in an NFL regular season?
Each NFL team plays 17 regular season games across an 18-week schedule, with one bye week built in. The full league schedule totals 272 games across all 32 teams.
Who is the defending Super Bowl champion entering 2026?
The Seattle Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl LX champions, having defeated the New England Patriots 29-13. Seattle hosts the 2026 Kickoff Game against New England as a result.
Where is Super Bowl LXI being played?
Super Bowl LXI will be played Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.
Can I bet on the entire 2026 NFL season at BUSR?
Yes. BUSR covers every NFL game of the regular season and playoffs, plus season-long futures like Super Bowl winner, conference winner, division winner, and MVP. New members receive a welcome bonus. Minimum deposit: $50.
NFL Betting Odds:
NFL Game Odds | Super Bowl LXI Odds to Win | NFL 1st Half Lines | NFL 2nd Half Lines | NFL Quarter Lines
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