The inaugural week of the 2026 National Football League campaign is set to kick off in a customary manner: featuring the Dallas Cowboys prominently in a prime-time slot. Dallas is scheduled to commence their regular season with a “Sunday Night Football” contest facing their NFC East competitors, the New York Giants.
This particular game is slated for broadcast on September 13th, accessible via NBC and the Peacock streaming service.
Anticipation for this match is expected to be incredibly high among enthusiasts. From the perspective of the Cowboys, the franchise continues to hold a position as one of the league’s most widely followed. Following an average performance last season, concluding with a 7-9-1 record, Dallas secured what many consider the top talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, advancing their position to select safety Caleb Downs.
For the New York team, this encounter will signify the initial fixture under the leadership of head coach John Harbaugh. Having spent eighteen years guiding the Baltimore Ravens, Harbaugh concluded his tenure with that organization in January. His transition to the Giants was swift.
Furthermore, the competition presents an intense divisional battle involving two historically significant organizations, ensuring a rich background of rivalry once the teams commence play.
The National Football League has not yet made a comprehensive disclosure of its 2026 regular season calendar. A full reveal is anticipated on Thursday, at which point all clubs will make their respective schedules public. In the interim, the league plans a gradual release of specific games, such as the inaugural “Sunday Night Football” contest for the upcoming season.
Few additional Week 1 fixtures have been disclosed by the NFL to date. The league did confirm that the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are scheduled to compete in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET (with a local kickoff time of Friday, 10:35 a.m., adjusted for U.S. television), but this represents the entirety of the announced opening week schedule thus far.
The most significant query for the first week of games—regarding the Seattle Seahawks’ initial opponent—remains undisclosed. The Cowboys were previously considered for this esteemed position. However, with Dallas no longer a contender, the Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and Chicago Bears appear to offer the optimal blend of competitive interest and substantial fan support to face the reigning Super Bowl champions in their season opener.
