The NFL isn’t just expanding its footprint - it’s planting flags across the globe and rewriting the calendar while it’s at it. Under Commissioner Roger Goodell, the league has made no secret of its ambition to go international in a big way, and 2025 was a landmark year with the NFL staging its first-ever games in Dublin and Madrid.
Now, as the league continues to evolve both on the field and in the boardroom, it’s eyeing another bold move: a Wednesday night kickoff to open the 2026 season. According to reports, the NFL is planning to stage a marquee matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in Australia - a game that would either take place on Wednesday or Thursday of opening week. Whichever day the Rams and Niners square off Down Under, the Seattle Seahawks will host their home opener on the alternate night.
It’s a scheduling twist that underscores just how far the NFL is willing to go to grow the game globally - and how flexible it’s willing to be with its traditional rhythms to make it happen.
Let’s break this down.
A Wednesday Opener? Here's Why It Tracks
At first glance, a Wednesday game might seem like a curveball. But when you factor in the travel logistics of playing in Australia - quite literally the farthest major destination from the U.S. - it starts to make a lot more sense.
Giving teams an early-week kickoff allows for more recovery time post-game, especially when you’re dealing with a brutal time zone shift and a long-haul flight back to the States. A Wednesday start gives players and coaches a mini-bye week to recalibrate before Week 2. It’s a smart workaround for what would otherwise be a scheduling nightmare.
From a competitive standpoint, it’s also a way to maintain some semblance of balance. The NFL has long been careful about not giving certain teams unfair advantages, and this setup - while unconventional - helps level the playing field.
Global Growth, Prime-Time Real Estate
This isn’t just about scheduling logistics - it’s about strategy. The NFL knows that its games are appointment viewing, and that kind of demand gives the league leverage.
That’s why Goodell is expected to renegotiate the league’s media rights ahead of schedule. NFL broadcasts aren’t just popular - they’re the crown jewel of live television.
And now, with games potentially on Wednesdays, the league is carving out even more valuable real estate in the weekly sports calendar.
Adding a Wednesday game to the mix isn’t just about international expansion; it’s about maximizing exposure and creating more high-profile windows for fans and networks alike. The NFL already dominates Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and late-season Saturdays. Wednesdays could be next.
Fan Reaction: Mixed, But Passionate
As expected, the news stirred up plenty of reaction from fans on social media - especially among those with skin in the game.
Some Rams fans weren’t thrilled, arguing that the Seahawks - not their team - should be featured in the season’s first game. Others took issue with the idea of the reigning Super Bowl champions potentially not opening the season at all, calling it “disrespectful” and “stupid.”
But not everyone was opposed. One fan pointed out the logic of having the Australia game early in the week, noting that it gives teams more time to acclimate and recover. That’s a fair point - and one that likely factored into the league’s decision-making.
The Bigger Picture
At the heart of this move is a broader vision for the NFL’s future. The league isn’t just trying to play international games - it’s trying to own them.
By staging a high-profile matchup like 49ers-Rams in Australia to kick off the season, the NFL is sending a clear message: this isn’t a novelty act. This is the new normal.
Whether you love it or hate it, the league’s global push is happening - and it’s happening fast. And if a Wednesday night kickoff in Australia is what it takes to make that vision a reality, the NFL seems more than willing to make it work.
So buckle up. The 2026 season is already shaping up to be unlike anything we’ve seen before - and it’s starting a day earlier than usual.