“Wednesday Night Football” is set to debut on NBC on September 9, 2026, marking a departure from the NFL’s traditional Thursday season opener. This change is due to the first-ever NFL game in Australia and restrictions from the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which prohibits Friday games during a specific period. The season opener will feature the Seattle Seahawks, while the following day will host an NFC West clash between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. Notably, the last Wednesday season opener occurred in 2012, when the Giants faced the Cowboys.
