The wait is almost over, and NFL fans are getting a blockbuster NFC North rivalry to open the 2026 regular season. The Green Bay Packers will travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 13, 2026, in one of the most anticipated games of Week 1.
For fans planning to watch every snap, here is everything you need to know about the Packers vs. Vikings matchup, including kickoff time, television coverage, streaming information, venue details, and what makes this rivalry game such an important way to begin the season.
π Packers vs. Vikings: Game Details
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Kickoff: 3:25 p.m. CT / 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: CBS
Week: NFL Week 1
The Vikings will open their 2026 campaign at home against their NFC North rival, while the Packers begin the season on the road. The official team schedules list the game for 3:25 p.m. Central Time, with CBS carrying the national television broadcast.
That makes this much more than an ordinary Week 1 matchup. Division games already carry enormous importance, and opening the season against a familiar opponent creates an immediate opportunity for both teams to establish momentum.
πΊ What Channel Is Packers vs. Vikings On?
Fans in the United States can watch Packers vs. Vikings live on CBS.
The NFL’s official 2026 schedule confirms the game as a CBS broadcast, while the Vikings’ official schedule also lists CBS as the television network for the Week 1 matchup.
CBS coverage means viewers should expect extensive pregame analysis, team updates and commentary before kickoff, followed by live coverage from U.S. Bank Stadium.
If you are watching from the local Green Bay or Minnesota markets, check your local CBS affiliate for the exact broadcast channel.
π± How to Stream Packers vs. Vikings
For fans who prefer streaming instead of traditional cable television, the game is listed among the CBS/Paramount+ offerings for the Vikings’ 2026 schedule.
Streaming availability can vary depending on location and subscription package, so fans should confirm their local service lineup before game day.
NFL fans should also check the official NFL digital options available in their market. The Vikings’ official game center lists NFL+ alongside the broadcast information, although live-game availability can depend on the viewer’s location and the specific NFL+ plan.
For the smoothest experience, make sure your streaming service, CBS access or NFL subscription is active before kickoff.
ποΈ Where Is the Game Being Played?
The Packers and Vikings will meet at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the home of the Minnesota Vikings.
This will give Minnesota an important home-field advantage in the opening game of the season. The Vikings officially announced that they would begin the 2026 campaign at home against Green Bay, making this one of the early marquee games on the NFL calendar.
The stadium should provide an electric atmosphere as Vikings fans welcome their team back for the beginning of another NFL season.
π₯ Why This Game Matters
Few NFL rivalries carry the same divisional intensity as Packers-Vikings.
Both teams play in the NFC North, meaning every meeting has potential implications for the division race, playoff positioning and tiebreakers later in the season. Opening the year against a division opponent also gives both coaching staffs an immediate measuring stick.
For Green Bay, the challenge is traveling to Minneapolis and starting the season with a statement victory. A road win over a divisional rival would immediately provide confidence and could set the tone for the Packers’ early-season campaign.
For Minnesota, the objective is equally clear: protect home field and begin the season with a victory over one of the team’s biggest rivals.
π Players and Storylines to Watch
The biggest storyline entering Week 1 will be how both teams perform after the offseason.
Opening-week games often bring plenty of uncertainty. New players must adjust to their roles, young stars are expected to make an impact, and coaching staffs finally get to see their offseason plans tested against a real opponent.
The Packers will be looking to establish their offensive identity while finding ways to create pressure and disrupt Minnesota’s rhythm.
The Vikings, meanwhile, will have the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd and will look to turn that energy into early momentum.
Because this is a divisional matchup, expect physical football, aggressive play-calling and plenty of intensity from the opening whistle.
β° What Time Should You Tune In?
The official kickoff is scheduled for 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 13. That is 4:25 p.m. ET for viewers on the East Coast.
Fans should consider tuning in well before kickoff because Week 1 broadcasts typically feature extensive previews, injury updates, analysis and discussion surrounding both teams.
For viewers in Vietnam, the game will take place in the early morning hours of Monday, September 14, due to the time difference. Fans watching from Southeast Asia should check their streaming platform’s local listing for the exact start time.
π The Bigger Picture
While it is only Week 1, the Packers-Vikings matchup could become an important chapter in the NFC North race.
A win does not guarantee anything in September, but divisional victories are especially valuable. Every team will eventually face injuries, difficult road games and stretches of the schedule that test its depth. Getting an early victory against a division rival can provide valuable momentum.
That’s why this game deserves attention far beyond the opening weekend.
Green Bay enters Minneapolis hoping to leave with a road victory. Minnesota will have the home crowd behind it and an opportunity to make an immediate statement.
πΊ Final Watch Guide
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Kickoff: 3:25 p.m. CT / 4:25 p.m. ET
Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+ and applicable NFL digital options
NFL Week: Week 1
The 2026 NFL season could hardly ask for a more compelling divisional opener. The Packers and Vikings know each other extremely well, the stakes are immediately meaningful, and both teams will enter U.S. Bank Stadium looking to start the year on the right foot.
So mark the calendar, set your reminders and get ready for another chapter in one of the NFL’s most competitive rivalries.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings. Week 1. Sunday, September 13.
The road to the 2026 NFL season begins in Minneapolis β and every snap will matter.
