The Arizona Cardinals could play a Wednesday night game in 2026? How?
Well, while it isn’t likely, they could the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL season opener. The world-champion Seahawks will host the first game of the new season. Normally, that will happen on a Thursday night.
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According to Pro Football Talk, the league season opener will happen on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Why?
The league would normally have a Thursday night season opener and then had an international game on Friday, the last two years in Brazil. This year, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1. That will happen on Thursday, Sept. 10.
Per the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, the NFL is not allowed to televise games on Friday nights or Saturday from the second weekend in September through the second weekend in December.
Because Labor Day falls on Sept. 7, Week 1 of the NFL season falls in the second weekend on September, unlike the last two seasons.
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How does this tie into the Cardinals?
Well, the Seahawks have a home game in Week 1, and the Cardinals are one of their home opponents. And because the Rams and 49ers, also Seattle home opponents, the Cardinals are one of the remaining possible opponents.
Would the league feature the Cardinals against the world champions? Of course not. But it is possible.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals could play Wednesday night in Week 1, but likely won’t