Zach Charbonnet and the Seahawks aim to defend their title. © APA / STEPH CHAMBERS

Across 4 continents: The NFL kicks off a record-breaking season

The NFL season kicks off tonight with the Super Bowl rematch between defending champions Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. A total of 32 teams will compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy on February 14, 2027, in Los Angeles.

September 09, 2026

From: apa/fop

Ahead of the new season in the world's most important sports league, there are a handful of top favorites for the title. Leading the pack are the Los Angeles Rams, considered the strongest team by experts and bookmakers. Led by quarterback Matthew Stafford (38), they aim to repeat their 2022 Super Bowl triumph in their home stadium.

The centerpiece is the Californians' defense: Star defender Myles Garrett was brought in during the summer, and the multi-award-winning Aaron Donald (35) returned from retirement for another title mission.

The Seahawks, who face New England in their opening game on Thursday (2:20 a.m. CEST), are hoping for a successful title defense, but quarterback Sam Darnold's team has to compensate for several departures. Among them is running back Kenneth Walker III, who now plays for the Kansas City Chiefs and is expected to lead the 2022 and 2023 Super Bowl champions back to greater heights. A major question mark hangs over the fitness of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (30), who tore his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his left knee last December.

Kelce and Rodgers continue

Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy praised his quarterback's fighting spirit during preseason. "His effort, his will, and his ambition surpass anything I've ever seen," Worthy said. "Whatever he sets his mind to, he'll accomplish." Mahomes will continue to be supported by tight end Travis Kelce (36), who in the past repeatedly flirted with retirement but will play another season after marrying musician Taylor Swift.

There's a big question mark hanging over Pat Mahomes. © APA / ELSA

Former Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers, who is likely entering his 22nd and final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, came to the same conclusion. At 42, the oldest player in the National Football League is once again playing under new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, with whom he won the Super Bowl in 2011. The Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, and the Ravens, with quarterback Lamar Jackson, could again be major challengers on the road to the final.

Global NFL Offensive

This season, which for the first time since 2012 begins on a Wednesday, the NFL is attempting to conquer the global market more than ever before. A total of nine regular-season games will be played outside the USA, on four continents and in nine countries. The Rams and the San Francisco 49ers will kick things off in Melbourne on Thursday night (2:35 a.m. CEST). Other international games will be played in Rio de Janeiro, London (three games), Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City.