2026 MNF Schedule Released: Every Game, Date & Kickoff Time
Your Complete Guide to the 2026 NFL Season & Monday Night Football
Updated August 17, 2026 | 7:16 PM CT
The Big Picture: Football Is Almost Back!
Enjoy your free Monday nights while you can! In exactly four weeks, the first "Monday Night Football" game of the 2026 season kicks off. Training camps are in full swing, preseason games are happening, and roster cuts are coming at the end of the month. That means NFL football will soon be on your TV screens every Monday through the end of the year.
Important Note for Packers Fans: The Green Bay Packers play just one Monday night game all season—and it’s not until Week 17 (the final week of Monday Night Football).
When Does the NFL Season Actually Start?
The 2026 NFL season begins a little differently this year:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Game | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Matchup | Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots (Super Bowl rematch!) |
| Time | 7:20 PM ET |
| Location | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Broadcast | Sunday Night Football crew |
| Special Event | Seahawks unveil their Super Bowl banner |
Why Wednesday? The league is spreading Week 1 across four days, ending with the first Monday night game on September 14.
Fun Fact: The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29–13 in last season’s Super Bowl. This is their championship celebration game!
When Does Monday Night Football Start?
Mark your calendars: Monday, September 14, 2026
Week 1 Showdown: Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
- Rivalry Alert: AFC West division rivals
- Storyline: Patrick Mahomes (3× Super Bowl champ, 2× MVP) aims to return from a torn ACL & LCL suffered in Week 15 of the 2025 season (Dec. 14). He says his goal is to play Week 1.
- Context: Denver dethroned Kansas City last year, winning the AFC West with a 14–3 record and earning the #1 seed. The Chiefs went 6–11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
- Playoff Run: Broncos beat the Bills in the divisional round, then lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
Where Can You Watch Monday Night Football?
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| ESPN | Primary broadcast |
| ABC | Simulcast |
| Fubo | Streaming option |
Pro Tip: If you’ve cut the cord, Fubo lets you stream every MNF game live.
Full 2026 Monday Night Football Schedule
All games kick off 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 Alert: Green Bay’s only MNF appearance is the season finale (Week 17) vs. Houston on January 4, 2027.
Quick-Start Checklist for the Season
- Mark your calendar for Sept. 9 (season opener) & Sept. 14 (first MNF)
- Check your TV/streaming setup — ESPN, ABC, or Fubo access
- Circle your team’s MNF games (or the whole schedule if you’re a die-hard!)
- Sync your fantasy league for weekly roster advice → Fantasy Tools
- Set reminders for 7:15 PM ET kickoffs every Monday
Summary
- NFL Season Starts: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 (Seahawks vs. Patriots)
- Monday Night Football Starts: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026 (Broncos @ Chiefs)
- All MNF Games: 7:15 PM ET on ESPN/ABC (stream on Fubo)
- 17 Weeks of MNF — full schedule above
- Packers on MNF: Once, Week 17 (Jan. 4, 2027) vs. Texans
- Big Storyline: Patrick Mahomes’ return from major knee injury
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why does the season start on a Wednesday this year?
The NFL spread Week 1 across four days (Wed–Mon) to maximize prime-time exposure. The Wednesday game is a special Super Bowl rematch showcase.
2. Do I need cable to watch Monday Night Football?
Nope! You can stream every game on Fubo (subscription required). ESPN and ABC also broadcast games if you have a traditional TV package or a live-TV streaming service that carries them.
3. What time do Monday Night Football games start?
Every single one kicks off at 7:15 PM Eastern Time. No more 8:15 PM starts—this is the new standard.
4. Will Patrick Mahomes really play in Week 1?
He’s targeting Week 1 after tearing his ACL and LCL in December 2025. It’s his stated goal, but the Chiefs will be cautious. Keep an eye on preseason updates!
5. Why do the Packers only have one Monday night game?
The NFL schedules MNF games based on ratings, rivalries, and competitive balance. Green Bay got the final slot this year—likely a strategic choice for a potential playoff-implications game in January.
Ready for some football? The countdown is on. Four weeks until Monday nights belong to the NFL again!