Seahawks to host Patriots for Super Bowl rematch in 2026 NFL season opener

The 2026 NFL schedule will open with one of the most anticipated matchups of the regular season. The Seattle Seahawks will host the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 in a rematch of Super Bowl 60, the league announced on Thursday, May 14.

It marks the first time since 2016, when the Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers , that the league is opening a new season by pitting the two reigning conference champions against one another. The Seahawks will begin their title defense against the group they demolished in a 29-13 rout in Santa Clara, Calif. , in February.

Though offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak departed to become the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach and Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III left to sign the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency , the core of the group remains in place as the franchise launches its title defense. Yet the more intense spotlight might be reserved for the other sideline. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel stepped away from Day 3 of the NFL draft to attend counseling after the New York Post published photos of him and Dianna Russini, the former NFL insider for The Athletic.

Vrabel, who is married and has two adult sons, said in April he had held "difficult conversations" with his family and members of the Patriots organization. He later added that his unspecified actions "don't meet the standard that I hold myself to. " New England will be trying to chart a fresh course after its Super Bowl unraveling.