NFL world reacts to new Wednesday night games

The NFL has been aggressively increasing its global and media footprint under league commissioner Roger Goodell. The 2025 campaign saw the league play its first-ever games in Dublin, Ireland, and Madrid, Spain.

Goodell is also expected to renegotiate the league’s media rights sooner than necessary, as the league’s games have become television’s single-most valuable broadcasting asset.

Now, the league, which already plays games on Monday, Thursday, Sunday, and even Saturday late in the season, in moving in on Wednesdays, according to Yahoo Sports.

“The NFL will have a Wednesday game to open 2026 with 49ers-Rams in Australia being played either on Wednesday or Thursday as part of opening weekend, per (John Ourand),” Yahoo reported.

“Whichever day the game does not take place, the Seahawks’ home opener will be on.”

The NFL will have a Wednesday game to open 2026 with 49ers-Rams in Australia being played either on Wednesday or Thursday as part of opening weekend, per @Ourand_Puck.

Whichever day the game does not take place, the Seahawks' home opener will be on. pic.twitter.com/nxFOZhBB9Y

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 13, 2026

Fans reacted to the news on social media.

“As a Rams fan, this should not happen. The Seahawks should be the first gsme of the season. Put the Rams/49ers on a Friday instead,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“This makes a lot of sense. Furthest destination away from the US, so have it on a Wednesday to open the season. Team can arrive a full week+ early, and have a mini bye to travel home and readjust to the time change,” someone else added.

“Taking away a season opener from defending champions to play an international game is so disrespectful and stupid,” another fan added.

It’s brutal to think of the reigning Super Bowl champs not opening the season, but it appears to be real possibility.