Patriots announce game themes for 2026 home slate

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 2: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots is congratulated by the End Zone Militia after their win over the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The New England Patriots will start their 2026 regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks next Wednesday, but they will be back at Gillette Stadium in Week 2: on September 20, the reigning AFC champions will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to Foxborough.

The home opener will be more than a battle between two of the NFL's most storied franchises as well as a chance for some Patriot revenge, though. It also will be the first of eight New England home contests this year to carry a theme - something the organization announced via social media on Friday:

Our 2026 game themes @GilletteStadium pic.twitter.com/N8nEuK2MFm

- New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 4, 2026

Some of the themes such as Crucial Catch or Salute to Service are closely tied to league-wide campaigns introduced by the NFL. Others, meanwhile, have a clear Patriots flavor.

Among those are the celebrations of Pro Football Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri in Week 5 versus the Raiders, and Patriots Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski in Week 9 against the Packers. Both of those events also correlate with the organization honoring two of its Super Bowl-winning teams.

The first of those contests will also see the Patriots wear one of their alternate uniforms, their red-and-white Pat Patriot throwbacks. The franchise's classic look will also be donned in Week 14 in a Thursday night meeting with the Vikings.

Pat Patriot is back for another season

Patriots throwbacks 10/11 & 12/10 @Gillettepic.twitter.com/0bItkXeikp

- New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 31, 2026

Just four days before that Vikings game, the Patriots will host their 2026 Rivalry game. Going up against the Bills in what very well could be a pivotal battle in the AFC East, the club will bring back its Nor'Easter-themed alternate look that was originally introduced last year.