🚨GAME CHANGER: Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time!
For NFL fans everywhere, especially those following every twist and turn of the postseason, this weekend’s NFC Divisional Round clash between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers is shaping up to be one of the most compelling games of the 2026 playoffs. The rivalry — already rich with history — elevates the stakes even further as both teams vie for a spot in the NFC Championship Game and ultimately a berth in Super Bowl LX.
This matchup has shifted the playoff landscape and set a prime-time stage for one of the highest-profile games of the weekend. With the kickoff moved to a new primetime slot, fans from across the country are closely watching as preparations heat up in Seattle. The stakes couldn’t be higher — and the timing could be a game changer.
📅 Game Date & New Kickoff Time
The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers will square off in the NFC Divisional Round on Saturday, January 17, 2026. The game is scheduled to kick off at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time) at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
This timing is slightly earlier than some fans expected, making it easier for viewers of all ages and in different time zones to catch the action live. With daylight fading into prime time and one of the loudest home-field crowds in football ready to roar, this kickoff time sets the stage for a classic playoff showdown.
📺 Where to Watch: Broadcast & Coverage Details
Coverage of this critical Divisional Round game will be available through multiple platforms, ensuring fans can tune in no matter how they watch:
-
Television: The game will be nationally televised on FOX.
-
Regional Coverage: In the Pacific Northwest local market (Seattle area), FOX 13 Seattle will carry the broadcast with additional pregame shows beginning hours before kickoff.
-
Streaming: Subscribers can stream the game via FOX One or NFL+ for live viewing.
-
Radio: Fans in the Seattle and Bay Area markets can also listen live on flagship stations such as Seattle Sports 710 AM and team radio networks.
Whether you’re watching at home, at a gathering, or on the go, there are multiple options to stay connected to all the live action as it unfolds.
🌤️ Weather Forecast at Lumen Field
For fans attending in-person or watching closely outdoors, the weather at Lumen Field on January 17 looks manageable. The forecast calls for mostly clear skies with temperatures in the high 40s°F during game time and minimal wind — ideal conditions for postseason football at this stage of winter.
The Seattle area in January can be unpredictable, but current models show little to no precipitation and light winds, which means weather is unlikely to play a significant factor in the outcome. This could be especially helpful for offenses looking to stay efficient in a cold-weather environment.
📈 Rivalry History: Seahawks vs 49ers
This Week 17 matchup marks yet another chapter in one of the most heated rivalries in the NFC West. The Seahawks and 49ers have met over 50 times in NFL history, splitting the series close to evenly with Seattle holding a slight edge overall.
This season alone, both teams have already met twice. The 49ers took the first encounter early in the year, while Seattle returned the favor with a dominant 13-3 victory in Week 18 to clinch the division crown and home-field advantage in the postseason.
These clashes have highlighted the strategic adaptability of both teams, and now in the playoffs, every yard will matter as these divisional rivals take the field at full strength and under national scrutiny.
🔥 What’s at Stake
The winner of this matchup advances to the NFC Championship Game with a chance to play for the conference title and a trip to Super Bowl LX. With limited playoff spots available, both teams enter this game battle tested:
-
The Seahawks enter as the No. 1 seed, boasting a strong home record and top-tier defense this season.
-
The 49ers, as a lower seed, punched through the Wild Card round with a gritty performance and now aim to silence the loud Seattle crowd for a second time this year.
Each team has playoff experience and the type of veteran leadership that can tilt close games in their favor. A victory here doesn’t just move them one step closer to the Super Bowl — it reshapes the narrative for the rest of the franchise’s season.
🎟️ Fan Experience at Lumen Field
For fans heading to Seattle, Lumen Field promises to deliver one of the most intense playoff atmospheres in the NFL. Renowned for its noise and energy, the stadium can turn routine defensive calls into chaos for opposing offenses. Expect the “12s” — Seattle’s famously passionate fan base — to be louder than ever as they attempt to create a distinct home-field advantage.
Additionally, ticket demand remains high and prices on the secondary market reflect the significance of the matchup. Premium seats continue to command strong value as fans seek to witness this critical NFC clash first-hand, with field-level and mid-tier tickets showing some of the strongest activity of the postseason.
🏈 Final Thoughts: A Primetime Playoff Classic
This Seahawks vs. 49ers Divisional Round game is more than just another playoff matchup — it is a primetime showdown that could define the NFC playoff landscape. With strategic adjustments, contrasting styles of play, and a passionate crowd at Lumen Field, all signs point to a thrilling spectacle that will live long in the memory of NFL fans.
The 5:00 p.m. PT kickoff on Saturday, January 17, 2026, ensures a perfect blend of early evening drama and national visibility. Whether you’re tuned in on FOX, streaming from FOX One/NFL+, or roaming the stands at Lumen Field under cool Pacific Northwest skies, this game promises edge-of-your-seat football.
Get ready: Seattle and San Francisco are set to collide again — and the entire league is watching.