What happened: Adam Schefter posted the early 2026 NFL schedule reveals ahead of Thursday's 8 p.m. ET full release on ESPN/NFLN. Week 1 features 49ers-Rams in Melbourne, Cowboys-Giants on Sunday night, and Broncos-Chiefs on Monday night. International games continue with Ravens-Cowboys in Rio (Week 3) and Bengals-Falcons in Madrid (Week 9), plus Eagles at Cowboys on Thanksgiving.

Why it matters: The league's global push expands to three foreign sites in 2026, reinforcing the international series as a fixed schedule pillar rather than a novelty. Marquee primetime slots in Week 1 — anchored by a Cowboys-Giants SNF opener — signal the NFL's continued lean on legacy rivalries for kickoff weekend ratings. Dallas drawing Thanksgiving against Philadelphia keeps the Cowboys' holiday franchise intact.

What to watch: Watch Thursday's full release for opponents, byes, and primetime distribution across all 32 teams.