NFL confirms no Friday opening-week game in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Wed 3rd September, 10:42 2025

Sep 6, 2024; Sao Paulo, Brazil; The NFL shield logo at midfield at the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo Game at Neo Quimica Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Fans of Friday night NFL games: savor the contest this week between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers from Sao Paolo, Brazil.

That's because there won't be a Friday night clash in the opening week in 2026. Hans Schroeder, the COO of NFL Media, confirmed that with reporters on Tuesday.

The little-known Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 prohibits NFL games from being broadcast within 75 miles of a college or high school football game between the second Friday night in September and the second Saturday in December.

And since the NFL now opens the season on the first Thursday after Labor Day, the date of that federal holiday dictates where the second Friday falls on the calendar.

Under the law, the next eligible Friday night slot won't come until 2029.

The NFL could find a way around that, however, if it decides to hold a Friday game in the afternoon on a non-holiday weekend. That wouldn't violate the law, which specifies games cannot start at 6 p.m. or later. An international game conceivably could start in prime time locally with a Friday afternoon start time in the United States.

The league has added a Black Friday game. This year, the Chicago Bears will travel to Philadelphia to meet the Eagles in a 3 p.m. game on Nov. 29.

--Field Level Media