The 2026 NFL regular season begins for Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 13, when the two teams meet at Ford Field in Week 1.
When is Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints?
The game will be played on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Kickoff: 10:00 a.m. PT, 12:00 p.m. CT and 1:00 p.m. ET.
U.S. broadcast: FOX.
Where to watch Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints in the USA?
FOX will carry the matchup across the United States. The game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, with kickoff at 12:00 p.m. CT and 10:00 a.m. PT.
Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints preview
Detroit Lions will open the season at home looking to establish momentum from the start. Head coach Dan Campbell returns with quarterback Jared Goff leading the offense, while Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown are expected to remain central pieces of the team's attack.
The Lions also enter the season with Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. He will be tasked with maintaining the production of an offense that ranked among the NFL's best in scoring last season. With David Montgomery no longer in the backfield, Gibbs is expected to have an even larger role.
New Orleans Saints begin a new campaign under head coach Kellen Moore. Quarterback Tyler Shough enters the season with valuable starting experience from 2025 and will face an immediate challenge against a Detroit team looking to make a strong opening statement.
The Saints' defense will be another major storyline. New Orleans showed significant improvement on that side of the ball during the second half of last season and will look to carry that momentum into Week 1.
Chris Olave remains one of the Saints' most important offensive weapons, giving New Orleans a dangerous option in the passing game. Detroit, meanwhile, will look to pressure Shough and prevent the Saints from establishing an offensive rhythm.
Detroit has the advantage of playing at Ford Field, while New Orleans will try to begin the season with an impressive road victory. The matchup should provide an early indication of what both teams can offer during the 2026 NFL season.
Game information
Game: Detroit Lions vs New Orleans Saints
Week: NFL Week 1, 2026
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
PT: 10:00 a.m.
CT: 12:00 p.m.
ET: 1:00 p.m.
Stadium: Ford Field
U.S. broadcast: FOX
Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints are ready to begin their 2026 campaigns. Their Week 1 matchup at Ford Field will provide the first real test of the season and an early opportunity for both teams to set the tone for the year ahead.