The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks were the two most evenly matched teams in the NFL this past season. In their three meetings, no game was decided by more than four points.
They’re the co-favorites to win the Super Bowl next season, setting up what could be another epic race in the NFC West. And after the Seahawks were crowned world champions on Sunday, fans are clamoring for them to open the 2026 regular season at home against the Rams – a rematch of their epic NFC championship showdown.
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It’s almost certainly not going to happen, though.
The Rams are set to play the 49ers in Australia next season, and though the date of that game hasn’t been set yet, it’s expected to be played in Week 1 to account for the 19-hour time difference between California and Melbourne.
NFL executive VP of media distribution Hans Schroeder told Sportico that Rams-49ers will most likely be on Wednesday or Thursday of Week 1.
NFL executive vice president of media distribution Hans Schroeder said the game will likely be played Wednesday or Thursday night of opening week. Playing early in Week 1 will give the 49ers and Rams extra days on the front end to compensate for the trip’s 16-hour flight and Australia’s 19-hour time difference from the U.S. Pacific time zone.
Additionally, Roger Goodell said last year (before the Rams’ opponent was even set) that the NFL is “starting the season off over there,” hinting at a Week 1 setup.
Instead of getting a Rams-Seahawks rematch to open next season, Seattle will face one of these other teams in Week 1: Patriots, Cardinals, Chiefs, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants or Bears. As you can see in the replies to Adam Schefter’s post, fans badly want it to be Rams-Seahawks – and they’re almost sure to be disappointed.
The Super-Bowl champion Seahawks will open the 2026 season at home on a Thursday night. Here are their potential opponents:
🏈Patriots
🏈Rams
🏈49ers
🏈Cardinals
🏈Chiefs
🏈Chargers
🏈Cowboys
🏈Giants
🏈Bears— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2026
The Rams will face the Seahawks twice at some point next season. It just won’t be in Week 1, most likely. And just as the Seahawks won’t face the Rams in the opener, they also won’t take on the 49ers.
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Unless there’s some sudden change in the plans for Rams-49ers in Australia, that game will be in Week 1. It’s just that nothing is official yet.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams-Seahawks most likely won’t be NFL’s 2026 season opener
