The NFL plans to play games on 6 days of the week during the 2026 season. Fans will see football every day except Tuesday. This move marks a major shift in how the league schedules its 18-week season.
A Week 1 game in Australia will start on a Wednesday. This game features the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. The league also wants a game on Wednesday, November 25. That date is the night before Thanksgiving.
The NFL’s 2026 schedule could look more different than it’s ever been.
The league plans to lean even harder on standalone broadcast windows, potentially playing games every day of the week except Tuesday.
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The league will play 9 international games in 2026. This is a new record for the NFL. Games will take place in London, Munich, Mexico City, and Paris. Brazil and Australia will also host games for the first time.
“We couldn’t be more excited,”said Peter O’Reilly. He is the NFL Executive Vice President. He noted that the league wants to reach more global fans through these international contests.
Christmas Day in 2026 falls on a Friday. Netflix will stream at least 1 game on that day. The league will also keep its usual Black Friday game. This adds more Friday football to the yearly calendar.
NFL Triggers Fan Fury
Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks fans line the streets during the Super Bowl LX World Champions parade in downtown Seattle. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Saturday games will return on December 20. The league waits until the college football season ends before moving to Saturdays. This follows the rules of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
Traditional games on Sunday and Monday will remain the core of the schedule. Thursday Night Football will also continue every week. This creates a nearly full week of professional football for viewers.
The New Orleans Saints will play in Paris. The Dallas Cowboys will travel to Rio de Janeiro. These moves help the NFL grow its brand outside the US. Official times will be released in May 2026.
NFL fans are furious with this decision
The NFL’s decision to schedule additional international and Friday games has sparked strong backlash from fans.
One fandeclared, “NFL greed knows no bounds.”
A second fanstated, “Nobody wants this.”
A third fanlamented, “Ruining my glorious league.”
A fourth fanexpressed nostalgia, “I miss when games were only on Sundays and Mondays…”
A fifth fanaccused, “Goodell is taking the Adam Silver fastrack to ruining the league.”
Fans are very upset because they believe the league is changing its traditions to make more money, hurting viewers’ experience.