Patriots at Seahawks Week 1 and Nine More Games Already Leaked Before the Official 8 p.m. ET Thursday Release

The NFL schedule is supposed to drop Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, but if you think you're waiting until then to see the full 2026 slate, you haven't been paying attention. The leaks are already rolling in, and we're tracking every single game that gets confirmed before the official announcement. Commissioner Roger Goodell didn't even approve the final schedule until Tuesday afternoon, which explains the slow drip early in the week, but now things are picking up speed fast.

Week 1 Gets Real: Seahawks Host Patriots in Wednesday Night Primetime

Here's what we know for sure. The Patriots are coming to Seattle on Wednesday, September 9 at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC to kick off Week 1. It's a Wednesday night opener, which means the Seahawks won't have to sit and wait while the rest of the league gets a head start. You want early season football? You're getting it right out of the gate at Lumen Field.

Beyond that matchup, the leaks are stacking up. The 49ers and Rams are squaring off in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix. Sunday, September 13 brings Bears at Panthers (1 p.m. ET), Falcons at Steelers (1 p.m. ET), Browns at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET), and Dolphins at Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET). Cowboys host the Giants on Sunday night at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Then the Broncos travel to Kansas City on Monday, September 14 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN to close out Week 1.

International Games and the Full Schedule Framework

Nine international games leaked out before the official announcement even happened. You're looking at games in London, Rio De Janeiro, Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City spread throughout the season. Week 4 has the Colts taking on the Commanders in London at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network. Week 3 features Ravens vs. Cowboys in Rio De Janeiro at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+. Week 7 sends the Steelers to Paris to face the Saints at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network.

The rest of the early weeks are trickling out too. Week 2 has Lions at Bills on Thursday, September 17 at 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon, with Packers at Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Week 5 brings Eagles vs. Jaguars in London at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network. Every week has details confirmed, though some Week 15 and 16 games still show as TBA.

Thanksgiving and Holiday Games Already Locked In

The traditional holiday slate is set. Bears host Lions on Thanksgiving at 1 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+. Eagles visit Dallas at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox. Chiefs travel to Buffalo at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. Packers are at Rams on Wednesday, November 25 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Black Friday gets the Broncos at Pittsburgh at 3 p.m. ET on Amazon.

The full official schedule drops Thursday night. Every team's slate will be revealed, every matchup locked in. But honestly, by then most of the surprises will already be out there. That's just how the NFL schedule leak game works now.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.