The NFL season is ready to roar back to life in Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons in an intriguing Week 1 showdown on Sunday, September 13, 2026. With two teams beginning new chapters, new coaching eras and a packed Acrisure Stadium waiting to welcome football back, this matchup has all the ingredients for an exciting opening weekend battle.
For fans wondering how to watch, the game will be broadcast on FOX, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh market, the FOX broadcast will air locally on WPGH FOX 53.
FOX is sending a high-profile broadcast crew to Pittsburgh. Joe Davis will handle play-by-play duties, former NFL tight end Greg Olsen will provide analysis, and veteran reporter Pam Oliver will cover the action from the sidelines.
Fans who prefer streaming also have several possibilities. In eligible markets, viewers can access their local FOX broadcast through supported FOX streaming options. The Falcons specifically list FOX One for viewers inside the Atlanta market, while NFL+ Premium provides another option on supported phones and tablets in the United States. International viewers can access NFL Game Pass International through DAZN where available.
Radio coverage will also be extensive. Steelers fans can listen locally on WDVE 102.5 FM and WBGG 970 AM, with the Steelers Audio Network carrying the matchup across its affiliates. Rob King will call the action alongside analyst Max Starks, while Missi Matthews will report from the sideline. SiriusXM will also carry the game.
But Sunday’s matchup is about far more than television channels and streaming services.
The biggest storyline in Pittsburgh is the beginning of the Mike McCarthy era. After longtime Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stepped away during the offseason, Pittsburgh turned to McCarthy to lead one of the NFL’s most historic franchises. McCarthy is also expected to call the offensive plays, making Week 1 the first opportunity for Steelers fans to see his vision in a meaningful regular-season game.
Atlanta is beginning a new era of its own.
The Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski after his six-year run with Cleveland, meaning he arrives in Pittsburgh already extremely familiar with the Steelers from years of AFC North battles. Stefanski will work with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, while Atlanta retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
That familiarity could become an important factor. Stefanski understands the physical style traditionally associated with Pittsburgh football, but the Steelers’ new coaching staff also creates uncertainty about exactly what Atlanta will see once the game begins.
For Pittsburgh, playing at home could provide a major advantage. Acrisure Stadium is one of the NFL’s most recognizable environments, and Steelers Nation should create plenty of noise as the team begins its 2026 campaign.
Atlanta, meanwhile, will need to remain composed. Road openers can be challenging, particularly when communication becomes difficult because of crowd noise. Avoiding penalties and turnovers will be crucial if the Falcons want to control the game rather than allowing Pittsburgh’s crowd to become a factor.
The battle at the line of scrimmage could ultimately decide the afternoon. Both teams will want to establish their running game, protect the quarterback and create manageable third-down situations. Week 1 football can sometimes be unpredictable, so whichever team plays cleaner and adjusts faster may gain the decisive advantage.
There is also the psychological importance of beginning a season with a victory. One game does not define an NFL campaign, but starting 1β0 can immediately create confidence β particularly when a franchise is beginning a new coaching era.
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Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
β° Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
ποΈ Venue: Acrisure Stadium β Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
πΊ TV Channel: FOX
ποΈ FOX Crew: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen & Pam Oliver
π± Streaming: FOX-supported options / NFL+ on eligible devices / DAZN NFL Game Pass International where available
ποΈ Steelers Radio: WDVE 102.5 FM / WBGG 970 AM / Steelers Audio Network
π Matchup: Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers
The offseason is over. A new era is beginning in Pittsburgh, and Steelers Nation is ready to make Acrisure Stadium shake again.
HERE WE GO, STEELERS! π€πππ₯
