The 2026-2027 NFL regular season kicked off on Wednesday, 9 September, opening with the New England Patriots facing the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle. The season's return matters to viewers seeking ways to follow games without a traditional cable subscription, as matches are spread across numerous broadcasters and streaming services throughout the year, with the NFL remaining a major ratings draw following Super Bowl LX earlier in 2026, which drew more than 125 million viewers.

Games will air on NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, FOX and NFL Network, with streaming options including ESPN Unlimited, Paramount+, FOX One, Peacock, Prime Video and NFL+. Cord-cutters can access broadcast channels via antennas or choose from services such as DirecTV (from $59.99 for the first month), Sling TV (from $69.99/month, though it lacks CBS), Fubo (from $63.99 for the first month, with a five-day free trial) and Hulu + Live TV (from $89.99/month). Amazon's Prime Video carries "Thursday Night Football" and offers standalone access from $8.99/month or via an annual Prime subscription at $139.99/year, with a 30-day free trial available for new subscribers.