This coming NFL season is set to begin the same way the last one ended : with a matchup between the Seahawks and Patriots. Lumped into the league’s 2026 schedule release—one filled with a record nine International Series games , two holiday tripleheaders and plenty of shots taken by teams unveiling their slates on social media —is a Super Bowl LX rematch between Seattle and New England to jumpstart the campaign. Since 2004, the NFL has traditionally opened its season with the defending Super Bowl champion hosting the annual Kickoff Game on the first Thursday night. That tradition, however, will look slightly different in 2026 for two reasons. First, with the league also staging a Week 1 game in Australia—and needing to comply with the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961—the Seahawks and Patriots will play on Wednesday, Sept. 9, followed by the 49ers and Rams Down Under on Thursday, Sept. 10.…