Monday Night Football 2026: Start Date, Full Schedule & Must-See Games
Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 NFL Season and Monday Night Football
Updated August 17, 2026
When Does the NFL Season Start?
The 2026 NFL season kicks off earlier than usual—on a Wednesday!
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Game | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Matchup | Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots |
| Time | 7:20 PM ET |
| Location | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| TV | Sunday Night Football crew (NBC) |
Why a Wednesday? The NFL sometimes moves the season opener to avoid conflicts with holidays or other big events. This year, Week 1 spans four days (Wednesday through Monday).
What’s Special About This Game?
- Super Bowl Rematch: The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 in last season’s Super Bowl
- Banner Ceremony: Seattle will unveil their championship banner before the game
- Week 1 Starts Here: All other teams play Thursday through Monday
When Does Monday Night Football Start?
Mark your calendars! The first Monday Night Football (MNF) game is:
Monday, September 14, 2026
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
7:15 PM ET
Why This Game Is a Must-Watch
- AFC West Rivals: Division enemies always bring extra intensity
- Patrick Mahomes’ Return: The Chiefs’ superstar QB tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 last season (December 14, 2025). He’s targeting Week 1 for his comeback!
- Revenge Factor: Denver dethroned Kansas City as AFC West champs last year (14-3 vs. 6-11)
- Playoff Rematch Vibes: Broncos beat Buffalo in playoffs, then lost to New England in AFC Championship
Where Can You Watch Monday Night Football?
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| ESPN | Cable/satellite TV |
| ABC | Broadcast TV (free with antenna) |
| Fubo | Streaming service (subscription required) |
Pro Tip: Fubo offers a free trial if you want to test it before committing!
Complete 2026 Monday Night Football Schedule
All games start at 7:15 PM ET
| Week | Date | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept 14 | Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2 | Sept 21 | New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams |
| 3 | Sept 28 | Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears |
| 4 | Oct 5 | Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints |
| 5 | Oct 12 | Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams |
| 6 | Oct 19 | Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers |
| 7 | Oct 26 | Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles |
| 8 | Nov 2 | Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks |
| 9 | Nov 9 | Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings |
| 10 | Nov 16 | Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens |
| 11 | Nov 23 | Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders |
| 12 | Nov 30 | Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 13 | Dec 7 | Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks |
| 14 | Dec 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 15 | Dec 21 | New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs |
| 16 | Dec 28 | New York Giants @ Detroit Lions |
| 17 | Jan 4, 2027 | Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers |
Packers Fans Circle This Date: Green Bay plays only ONE Monday night game all season—Week 17 (the final MNF game) against the Houston Texans on January 4, 2027!
Key Storylines to Watch This Season
1. The Mahomes Comeback
Patrick Mahomes (3× Super Bowl champ, 2× MVP) returns from a major knee injury. Can he reclaim his throne?
2. New AFC West Kings
Denver (14-3) knocked off Kansas City’s 9-year division reign. Can they repeat?
3. Packers’ Lonely Monday
Green Bay gets just one primetime Monday slot—Week 17 vs. Houston. Make it count!
4. Rookie Watch
Training camp and preseason are happening right now. Roster cuts come late August—watch for surprise stars!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Right Now: Training camp & preseason games
Late August: Final roster cuts (teams shrink from 90 to 53 players)
Sept 9: Season opener (Seahawks vs. Patriots)
Sept 14: First Monday Night Football
Jan 4, 2027: Packers’ only MNF appearance
Summary
- NFL Season Starts: Wednesday, Sept 9 (Seahawks vs. Patriots)
- Monday Night Football Starts: Monday, Sept 14 (Broncos @ Chiefs)
- Watch On: ESPN, ABC, or stream via Fubo
- 17 Weeks of MNF: Every Monday through January 4, 2027
- Packers Alert: Only ONE MNF game—Week 17 vs. Texans (Jan 4, 2027)
- Big Story: Patrick Mahomes returns from ACL/LCL tear
- Preseason Now: Roster cuts coming late August
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the season start on a Wednesday this year?
A: The NFL schedules the season opener on Wednesday occasionally to spread Week 1 games across four days (Wed–Mon) and avoid conflicts with other events or holidays.
Q: What channel is Monday Night Football on if I don’t have cable?
A: You can watch on ABC (free over-the-air with an antenna) or stream via Fubo (paid streaming service with free trial available).
Q: How many Monday Night Football games do the Packers have this year?
A: Just ONE—Week 17 on January 4, 2027, against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field.
Q: Is Patrick Mahomes definitely playing Week 1?
A: He’s targeting Week 1 for his return from a torn ACL and LCL (suffered Dec 14, 2025), but final clearance will come closer to game time. Keep an eye on Chiefs’ injury reports!
Q: When do roster cuts happen?
A: Teams must trim from 90 players to 53 by late August (usually the Tuesday after the final preseason game). This is when many bubble players lose their spots.
Enjoy your free Monday nights while they last—football season is almost here!