The 2026 NFL season is underway, marking the start of a campaign that will see 32 teams compete over 22 weeks to determine the next Super Bowl champion. This year's schedule is notable for its extensive international reach, with games scheduled to take place across four continents, eight countries, and six time zones.

While the primary focus remains on the competitive race to Super Bowl 61, the league continues to emphasize its global expansion strategy. The season launch serves as the beginning of a long-term effort to integrate international markets into the standard NFL calendar. As teams begin their pursuit of the title, the logistical challenges of managing play across such a wide geographic spread will be a central theme of the upcoming months. The season structure remains consistent with previous years in terms of team participation, though the geographic footprint of the league has significantly widened compared to historical norms.