The wait is over as NFL football is back! The 2026–27 NFL regular season officially kicks off in the early hours of Thursday, September 10 at 1:20 AM IST.
Setting the ultimate opening-night stage, the reigning Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks raise their championship banner at Lumen Field to host the New England Patriots in a prime-time Super Bowl rematch.
What lies ahead is an intense 18-week championship across all 32 teams, with each team battling through a 17-game schedule for a postseason spot.
Running straight through to January 10, 2027, with the playoffs launching immediately after, every single drive, tackle, and touchdown counts.
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How to Watch NFL in Ireland for Free
7Plus is the official digital streaming platform for Australia’s Seven Network, holding exclusive free-to-air NFL rights down under.
It offers 55 NFL regular season fixtures with local commentary. You can also watch post-season matches and play-offs on 7Plus for free.
Since 7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, you will need a VPN to stream its regular season coverage in Ireland. Here’s how:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN service (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Open the app and connect to the Australian server.
Step 4: Visit the 7Plus official website and click on the profile icon in the top right corner
Step 5: Click on Register to make a new account, or sign in
Step 6: Add your personal information and Australian ZIP code (0872) to create an account
Step 7: Verify your account via email
Step 8: From Sports, select NFL 
Step 9: Scroll down to the live and upcoming section
Step 10: Enjoy watching when it goes live!
Watch NFL in Ireland on Mobile
For fans who want fuller coverage on the go, Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive access to NFL games in Ireland each week.
You can subscribe to Sky Sports for €37/month, or access all 12 Sky Sports channels in HD via NOW‘s Sports Extra plan for €17/mo.
Here’s how you can watch NFL on Sky Sports via NOW on mobile:
Step 1: Download the NOW app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Other Ways to Watch NFL in Ireland
Additional free and paid platforms streaming live NFL games include:
1. Virgin Media Player (Free)
Virgin Media and Virgin Media PLAY provide free-to-air NFL coverage in Ireland through the 2028 season, airing at least 22 live games each year.
This slate features 18 regular-season matchups, airing every Sunday at 6:00 PM or 9:00 PM IST, followed by 3 playoff clashes and live coverage of the Super Bowl.
You can also access the weekly Thursday studio show NFL Overtime, alongside on-demand match replays and highlights.
Read More: How to Watch Virgin Media Player Outside Ireland
2. DAZN (NFL Game Pass)
DAZN Ireland is an absolute home for the NFL regular season. It streams every single out-of-market game live across all 32 franchises and lets fans watch full matchups plus condensed replays and highlights.
In Ireland, DAZN NFL Game Pass is available exclusively through DAZN, purchased separately from the standard DAZN subscription (it can also be bought as a standalone plan).
3. Amazon Prime (US)
Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive US broadcast rights to Thursday Night Football till 2033. It offers fans 15 regular-season showdowns alongside an annual preseason opener.
The platform’s lineup also packs plenty of high-stakes marquee coverage, featuring the annual Black Friday clash, key holiday fixtures, and an exclusive Wild Card Playoff game. An Amazon Prime subscription costs €6.99/mo.
However, these live streams are geo-blocked to the United States, meaning you must connect to a reliable VPN to access these in Ireland. Surfshark is the best VPN.
Read More: How to Watch Prime Video (US) in Ireland
4. Netflix
Netflix is another go-to option for streaming live NFL action, holding an exclusive global deal to broadcast marquee Christmas Day games through 2026.
It will stream five live NFL games during the 2026–27 season, featuring a Week 1 Melbourne clash, an NFL Thanksgiving Game Rams-Packers matchup, an NFL Christmas GameDay doubleheader, and the Super Bowl.
Football fans in Ireland can stream all of these holiday clashes live right on the platform, with subscription plans starting at €16.99/mo.
Read More: How to Watch Netflix (US) in Ireland
NFL Regular Season 2026-27 Schedule
Have a look at the schedule of the NFL regular season (Weeks 1-3) in the Irish time zone (IST) and date:
| Date | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | ||
| Thu, Sep 10 | New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks | 1:20 AM IST |
| Fri, Sep 11 | San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams | 1:35 AM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | New York Jets at Tennessee Titans | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers | 9:25 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders | 9:25 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings | 9:25 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 13 | Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles | 9:25 PM IST |
| Mon, Sep 14 | Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants | 1:20 AM IST |
| Tue, Sep 15 | Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 1:15 AM IST |
| Week 2 | ||
| Fri, Sep 18 | Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills | 1:15 AM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Green Bay Packers at New York Jets | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks | 9:05 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers | 9:05 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders | 9:25 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 20 | Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders | 9:25 PM IST |
| Mon, Sep 21 | New York Giants at Los Angeles Chargers | 1:20 AM IST |
| Tue, Sep 22 | Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos | 1:15 AM IST |
| Week 3 | ||
| Fri, Sep 25 | Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers | 1:15 AM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | New York Jets at Detroit Lions | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Tennessee Titans at New York Giants | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders | 6:00 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers | 9:05 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9:05 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints | 9:25 PM IST |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys (Rio de Janeiro) | 9:25 PM IST |
| Mon, Sep 28 | Los Angeles Rams at Denver Broncos | 1:20 AM IST |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears | 1:15 AM IST |
Top 3 Teams to Watch in the NFL Regular Season 2026-27
The regular season is where Super Bowl contenders are made, and these three teams are worth following from Week 1.
|
Seattle Seahawks Seattle open the season as defending Super Bowl champions, hosting New England in a rematch of Super Bowl LX as they begin their title defence. |
|
New England Patriots Last season’s AFC champions open the year with an immediate rematch against the Seahawks, looking to go one step further after falling short in Super Bowl LX. |
|
Carolina Panthers After headlining the preseason as one half of the Hall of Fame Game, the Panthers open the regular season looking to turn an encouraging exhibition slate into early-season results. |
Other Sports Leagues to Watch in Ireland
If you’re a sports fan, here’s a list of top international sports leagues you can catch in Ireland.
- Watch LIGA MX in Ireland
- Watch La Liga in Ireland
- Watch the English Premier League in Ireland
- Watch Bundesliga in Ireland
- Watch Ligue 1 in Ireland
FAQs – NFL Regular Season
1. How many games does each team play in the regular season?
Each team plays 17 games across an 18-week regular season, with one bye week built in.
2. Where can I watch NFL in Ireland?
Virgin Media Play, Sky Sports (via NOW) and DAZN’s NFL Game Pass offer broader mobile coverage.
3. When does the NFL regular season end and when is the Super Bowl?
The 2026-27 regular season ends on January 10, 2027. After that, the playoffs begin January 16, with Super Bowl LXI taking place on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
4. How many teams make the playoffs?
14 teams qualify for the playoffs, seven from each conference, made up of four division winners and three wild card teams.
Conclusion
The 2026-27 NFL regular season is your chance to follow all 32 teams chasing a spot in Super Bowl LXI, running from September 9 through to the playoffs in January.
You can watch NFL in Ireland via Virgin Media Player, Sky Sports, DAZN’s NFL Game Pass, Prime Video US, Netflix, or 7Plus.
However, you will need a VPN to unblock 7Plus in Ireland. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
