The 2026 NFL season is kicking off the way the 2025 season ended: with a Patriots versus Seahawks matchup.
The season-opener is set to go down on the defending champions’ home field in Seattle, marking just the third time in NFL history that a Super Bowl rematch was scheduled for Week 1.
Back in February, the Seahawks defeated the Patriots 29-13 to win their second Super Bowl title. They come into this season with limited defensive depth following a few key departures and a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury. Super Bowl MVP RB Kenneth Walker III is no longer a member of the Seahawks either, as he signed as a free agent in Kansas City.
Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks
- When: Sept. 9, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Where: Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)
- How to watch for free: DIRECTV (five-day free trial)
- Channel: NBC
All eyes will also be on A.J. Brown making his Patriots debut tonight after being acquired from Philadelphia in an offseason trade. Brown is the fifth player ever with at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven TD catches in six of his first seven seasons.
The Seahawks enter tonight’s game as 3.5-point favorites.
If you want to tune in to tonight’s NFL season-opener, here’s what you need to know.
Patriots vs. Seahawks start time
Tonight’s (Sept. 9) Patriots versus Seahawks game is scheduled to begin at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Where to watch Patriots vs. Seahawks live for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream NFL Kickoff 2026 for free.
DIRECTV is our favorite service for trying live TV for free. We recommend the Choice plan, which includes NBC as part of its 125+ channels. Right now, you get your first five days for free before saving $30 on your first month.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
