The 2026 NFL regular season begins with a Super Bowl rematch as the New England Patriots travel to Seattle to face the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL Kickoff Game.
New England and Seattle will meet on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Lumen Field, with the Seahawks beginning their championship defense against the team they defeated in Super Bowl LX.
So, where can you watch Patriots vs. Seahawks?
The New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL Kickoff Game will air nationally on NBC and stream live on Peacock on Wednesday, September 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT, with NBC’s pregame coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
Here is everything to know about how to watch Patriots vs. Seahawks, including the TV channel, streaming options, start time and radio information.
How to Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks
The Patriots-Seahawks game will receive a national television broadcast as the opening game of the 2026 NFL season.
| Patriots vs. Seahawks | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, September 9, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT |
| Pregame Coverage | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV Channel | NBC |
| Live Stream | Peacock |
| Venue | Lumen Field |
| Location | Seattle, Washington |
| National Radio | Westwood One |
The matchup is part of the NFL’s traditional Kickoff Game celebrating the beginning of the new regular season.
What Channel Is Patriots vs. Seahawks On?
Patriots vs. Seahawks will be televised nationally on NBC.
Viewers with access to their local NBC station can watch the NFL Kickoff Game on television.
In the Boston market, the game will be available on NBC 10 Boston.
NBC’s broadcast team features Mike Tirico on play-by-play and Cris Collinsworth as analyst, with Melissa Stark and Kaylee Hartung reporting from the sidelines.
What Time Does Patriots vs. Seahawks Start?
Patriots vs. Seahawks kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 9.
That corresponds to the following times across the United States:
- Eastern Time: 8:20 p.m.
- Central Time: 7:20 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 6:20 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 5:20 p.m.
NBC’s NFL Kickoff coverage begins earlier at 7 p.m. ET before the game starts at Lumen Field.
How to Stream Patriots vs. Seahawks
The easiest streaming option for Patriots vs. Seahawks is Peacock.
Peacock will carry NBC’s live coverage of the NFL Kickoff Game, allowing subscribers to stream the matchup on supported devices.
NFL+ is another option for eligible viewers, although availability and supported devices depend on location and NFL streaming restrictions.
Fans should check the specific service before kickoff to confirm availability in their market.
Is Patriots vs. Seahawks on Peacock?
Yes. Patriots vs. Seahawks will stream live on Peacock.
Peacock’s coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET, with the game scheduled to kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET.
Subscribers can access Peacock through supported smart TVs, streaming devices, smartphones, tablets, computers and gaming platforms.
Is Patriots vs. Seahawks on NFL+?
Patriots vs. Seahawks is also available through NFL+, subject to NFL location and device restrictions.
NFL+ provides access to live local and primetime regular-season games on supported mobile devices, along with game replays and other NFL content.
Because NFL+ viewing options can vary based on location and device, fans should verify availability before the game.
Can You Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks for Free?
Fans who receive NBC through an over-the-air antenna may be able to watch Patriots vs. Seahawks without paying for a separate streaming subscription.
NBC is a broadcast television network, meaning reception may be available over the air depending on a viewer’s location and access to a compatible antenna.
Other streaming options generally require an eligible subscription or TV provider.
How to Listen to Patriots vs. Seahawks on Radio
Fans who cannot watch the game also have several radio options.
Westwood One will provide the national radio broadcast.
Kevin Harlan is scheduled to handle play-by-play duties, with former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner providing analysis.
Patriots fans can listen locally through 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Patriots Radio Network.
In Seattle, radio coverage is available through Seattle Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM.
SiriusXM will also carry team and national broadcasts.
Why Are Patriots vs. Seahawks Playing in the NFL Kickoff Game?
The Seahawks earned the opportunity to host the NFL Kickoff Game after winning Super Bowl LX.
Seattle defeated New England 29-13 in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
That means the NFL will begin its new season with a rematch of the previous season’s championship game.
Instead of waiting until later in the schedule, the Patriots will immediately have an opportunity to face the team that ended their Super Bowl run.
Is Patriots vs. Seahawks a Super Bowl Rematch?
Yes. The 2026 NFL Kickoff Game is a rematch of Super Bowl LX.
Seattle and New England met for the NFL championship in February, with the Seahawks defeating the Patriots 29-13.
The September 9 matchup will be their first meeting since that game.
It also makes the season opener one of the most anticipated games of Week 1.
Who Are the Quarterbacks for Patriots vs. Seahawks?
The matchup features Drake Maye and Sam Darnold at quarterback.
Maye enters the season as one of the central figures for a Patriots team looking to build on its run to Super Bowl LX.
Darnold returns as the quarterback of the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.
Their quarterback matchup adds another storyline to a season opener already carrying the significance of a Super Bowl rematch.
Where Is Patriots vs. Seahawks Being Played?
Patriots vs. Seahawks will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
The Seahawks are the home team for the NFL Kickoff Game.
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. local time in Seattle, corresponding to 8:20 p.m. ET.
When Does the 2026 NFL Season Start?
The 2026 NFL regular season officially begins Wednesday, September 9, with Patriots vs. Seahawks.
The NFL’s opening game will be followed by the remainder of the Week 1 schedule over the following several days.
The Patriots-Seahawks matchup therefore represents the first regular-season NFL game of the 2026 campaign.
Patriots vs. Seahawks NFL Kickoff Game: What to Know
The NFL could hardly have created a more recognizable matchup to begin the 2026 season.
Seattle enters the year as the defending Super Bowl champion, while New England gets an immediate opportunity to face the opponent responsible for ending its championship bid.
For viewers in the United States, watching the game is straightforward.
Tune into NBC or stream the game on Peacock at 8:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 9, to watch the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Kickoff Game.