The NFL opens Wednesday for the first time since 2012 so Netflix can own Thursday in Melbourne

Elle Duncan runs studio with Michael Irvin, Nick Foles, and Clay Matthews. Noah Eagle has play-by-play. Luke Kuechly's first gig as booth analyst. Tom Pelissero and MJ Acosta-Ruiz are on the sideline. Kickoff is 8:35 p.m. ET Thursday Sep 10, 10:35 a.m. AEST Friday, at the MCG, on every Netflix plan. The same slate includes Thanksgiving Eve, a Christmas doubleheader, a Week 18 game, and NFL Honors.

Pro Football Talk on the extra wrinkle of a Melbourne opener. The 49ers leave the Bay Area late Wednesday for the about 16-hour, 8,000-mile flight. The Rams are taking the opposite construction: most work at home, arrive about 24 hours before kickoff. Netflix owns that Thursday window because Kickoff moved to Wednesday.

Football Night in America on Patriots vs Seahawks to open 2026. Wednesday, Sep 9, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock, and NFL+, presented by YouTube TV. Super Bowl rematch of Seattle 29-13 over New England. NFL Football Operations: first Wednesday opener since 2012. One prime-time window so Netflix can own Thursday in Melbourne with no Friday NFL game behind it.

The NFL announced Nick, Joe, and Kevin for Friday 10:35 a.m. AEST. Netflix carries the performance in the U.S. Seven carries it in Australia. It is the first of a record seven American Express international halftimes across seven countries. The NFL Kickoff Festival at Melbourne Park, Sep 10-12, is the official watch party for Wednesday's Seahawks-Patriots opener.

Kyle Shanahan on being sent 19 time zones. Reuters on Sep 1: Gerrit Meier, NFL International, said the preference is annual games in Australia, much as Britain has had. Victoria's multi-year deal is two confirmed games in four years plus an option on a third. The Age, via Reuters, put the bid at about A$10 million to A$15 million per game. Government officials declined to confirm the number. Record nine international games in 2026, seven countries, four continents.