The 2026-27 NFL season begins tonight with a Super Bowl LX rematch. The Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on NBC and Peacock, with the game set for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Both teams finished last season with identical 14-3 records. The Patriots reached the Super Bowl, while the Seahawks won the NFC West and then won it all. Now they meet again on opening night, with Seattle looking to start its title defense and New England seeking a measure of revenge.
Here is everything you need to know to watch the game live, including channel information, start times, and free streaming options.
The Super Bowl LX Rematch
The Patriots enter this game as a team on the rise. Quarterback Drake Maye led New England to a 14-3 regular-season record last year, including a perfect 8-0 mark on the road. That run carried the Patriots all the way to the Super Bowl, which did not go well.
Still, the young quarterback has the Patriots positioned as a contender. They are looking to win the AFC for a second straight year and return to the biggest stage.
The Seahawks also posted a 14-3 record in 2025. Their path was tighter, though. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers finished right behind them in the NFC West with matching 12-5 records. Seattle held on to win the division and then went on a playoff run that ended with a championship.
Tonight’s game is a chance for the Patriots to knock off the defending champs. It is also a chance for Seattle to prove its repeat bid is real.
What Channel Is The NFL Game on Tonight?
Tonight’s Wednesday night showdown airs on NBC and Peacock. That is the only broadcast home for the game, so viewers will need access to one of those platforms to watch.
The game begins at 8:20 p.m. ET on both NBC and Peacock. Pregame coverage starts earlier, at 7:00 p.m. ET, also on both platforms.
If you have a valid cable login, you can watch the game live on NBC or through the NBC website and app. That is the simplest route for cord-cutters who still have a cable subscription.
How To Watch Tonight’s NFL Game Live For Free Without Cable
No cable? No problem. Several over-the-top streaming services carry NBC’s live feed, and most of them offer free trials for new subscribers.
DIRECTV is the top pick. It comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins. It also offers flexible subscription options, including Genre Packs, so viewers can choose which streaming plans fit their needs and budget. Packs start at $19.99 per month.
Our favorite is DIRECTV, which comes with a five-day free trial before payment begins.
Other options include fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, NFL+ (via phone or tablet), and Sling TV. Of those, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV, and Hulu + Live TV all offer free trials for new subscribers.
A free trial is the cleanest way to watch tonight’s game without paying anything. Sign up, watch the game, and cancel before the trial period ends. Just remember to set a reminder so you do not get charged.
The key point is that the only way to watch shows airing live without cable is by using a live TV streaming service. There is no standalone free stream of NBC’s broadcast.
How To Watch The NFL on Peacock For Free
Peacock is the other home for tonight’s game. The streamer is carrying the Patriots-Seahawks matchup live, and it offers two subscription tiers.
Peacock Premium costs $12.99 per month and includes ads. Peacock Premium Plus costs $19.99 per month and is ad-free. Both plans are available on a monthly basis.
You can also save by subscribing to an annual plan. Peacock’s annual options give you 12 months for the price of 10. That works out to $129.99 per year with ads or $199.99 per year without ads.
There is a catch, though. Peacock does not directly offer a free trial. If you want to test the service before paying, you have to go through a third party.
Peacock Free Trial Options
The workaround is Prime Video. Peacock Premium Plus is available to subscribe to via Prime Video with a seven-day free trial. That trial is not available when you subscribe directly on Peacock, so you have to go through Amazon’s platform to get it.
There is also an Instacart+ angle. You can get a free subscription to Peacock through Instacart+, which itself offers a free trial. That route bundles the streaming service with the grocery delivery membership.
For viewers who just want to watch tonight’s game, the Prime Video trial is the most direct path. Sign up for Peacock Premium Plus through Prime Video, watch the game, and cancel within seven days.
What To Expect Tonight
The Patriots are looking to start the season with a win and build on last year’s momentum. The Seahawks are looking to prove that their championship run was not a fluke.
Seattle’s path to the playoffs last year was harder than the final record suggests. The Rams and 49ers both finished 12-5, with Seattle holding on to win the division. The Seahawks then won it all.
New England had a smoother regular season. A 14-3 record with a perfect road mark is elite by any standard. The Super Bowl loss stings, but the roster and the quarterback are young enough that another run is realistic.
Tonight’s game is the first test for both teams. A win sets the tone for the season.
The game airs at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Pregame coverage starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. Log in with your cable credentials, start a free trial, or subscribe through Prime Video — whatever route you choose, make sure you are ready before the game starts.
Source: decider.com
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