Football is finally back. NFL Preseason Week 1 2026 begins Thursday, August 13, giving fans their first major look at teams preparing for the upcoming regular season.
The NFL’s official calendar lists August 13–15 as the first preseason weekend. Week 1 features 16 games, giving rookies, young players and roster hopefuls an important opportunity to make their case before final roster decisions arrive later this month.
When Does NFL Preseason Week 1 Start?
The first preseason weekend officially begins on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
The opening schedule includes several interesting matchups, including the Green Bay Packers visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions traveling to Cincinnati and the Indianapolis Colts facing the New England Patriots.
For fans watching from India, most games will take place during the early morning hours because of the time difference with the United States.
NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule
Here are the major Week 1 matchups:
- Lions at Bengals — August 13
- Packers at Steelers — August 13
- Colts at Patriots — August 13
- Chargers at Texans — August 13
- Cardinals at Raiders — August 13
- Titans at 49ers — August 13
- Broncos at Falcons — August 14
- Buccaneers at Jets — August 14
- Dolphins at Commanders — August 14
- Panthers at Bills — August 15
- Browns at Bears — August 15
- Vikings at Giants — August 15
- Rams at Chiefs — August 15
- Jaguars at Saints — August 15
- Eagles at Ravens — August 15
- Cowboys at Seahawks — August 15
The official NFL schedule confirms the complete Week 1 slate and kickoff dates.
5 Must-Watch Games in Preseason Week 1
1. Packers vs. Steelers
This is one of the most intriguing games of the opening preseason week. The matchup gives both teams an opportunity to evaluate young players and depth pieces before the regular season.
2. Rams vs. Chiefs
Any matchup involving the Chiefs attracts attention, and this game could provide an early look at Kansas City’s young talent and roster competition.
3. Eagles vs. Ravens
Two strong organizations meet in another interesting preseason matchup. Coaches will be focused heavily on position battles and players fighting for roster spots.
4. Chargers vs. Texans
The Chargers and Texans are both teams worth watching as they prepare for the 2026 season. Their preseason opener should provide useful clues about depth-chart battles.
5. Cowboys vs. Seahawks
Dallas and Seattle close out the Week 1 schedule with another nationally interesting matchup. Young players will have a major opportunity to make an impression.
What Should Fans Watch For?
Preseason results are not usually the most important factor. Instead, fans should watch quarterback competitions, rookie performances, offensive-line depth, defensive rotations and special teams battles.
Coaches also use preseason games to evaluate players who may not receive many opportunities during the regular season.
For teams with uncertain position battles, the first preseason game can be especially important. A strong performance can help a young player move up the depth chart, while a poor showing can create difficult roster decisions.
When Is the 2026 NFL Regular Season?
The preseason is only the beginning. After three preseason weekends, NFL teams will continue preparing for the regular season, with roster decisions becoming increasingly important toward the end of August.
The regular season will then bring the games that count toward playoff qualification.
Final Takeaway
NFL Preseason Week 1 2026 is set to deliver an exciting first look at the league’s rookies, young stars and roster battles. From Packers-Steelers to Rams-Chiefs and Eagles-Ravens, there are plenty of games worth following.
For NFL fans, August 13 marks the beginning of an important stretch that leads directly toward the 2026 regular season.
Every NFL team begins the preseason with one ultimate goal: winning the Super Bowl. From the first Super Bowl to today’s championship battles, explore the complete Super Bowl history to see how the NFL’s biggest game has evolved over the decades.
FAQs
1. When does NFL Preseason Week 1 2026 start?
NFL Preseason Week 1 begins on Thursday, August 13, 2026, and runs through Saturday, August 15, 2026.
2. How many games are in NFL Preseason Week 1?
There are 16 games scheduled during the first preseason week.
3. What are the biggest NFL preseason games in Week 1?
Some of the most notable matchups include Packers vs. Steelers, Rams vs. Chiefs, Eagles vs. Ravens, Chargers vs. Texans, and Cowboys vs. Seahawks.
4. Does preseason count toward the NFL regular-season record?
No. Preseason games do not count toward a team’s regular-season win-loss record.
5. When does the 2026 NFL regular season begin?
The 2026 NFL regular season begins in September 2026, following the preseason and final roster cuts.
6. What should fans watch during preseason Week 1?
Fans should focus on rookies, quarterback competitions, offensive-line battles, defensive depth, special teams and players fighting for roster spots.
