The NFL is reportedly preparing to break decades of tradition by opening the next season on Wednesday, September 9. According to sources, the league plans to kick off the season with a high-stakes International Series game in Melbourne, Australia, featuring the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. This would mark only the second time in history that the league has started on a Wednesday, following a 2012 schedule shift to avoid political convention conflicts.
The decision stems from legal constraints under the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, which prohibits the NFL from scheduling Friday night games during certain periods. Since a Friday opener in Melbourne is off the table, the league is looking to fill a back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday slot. This strategic move means the traditional “Kickoff Game,” hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, might follow the Australia opener rather than leading it. Furthermore, the league is currently “negotiating with streaming companies” for the exclusive broadcasting rights of the Melbourne game, following in the footsteps of previous deals with Peacock and YouTube.