NFC Championship
2026
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Seahawks vs Rams: Seattle Hosts Its First NFC Championship in Over a Decade
The 2026 NFC Championship Game is set: the #1 seed Seattle Seahawks host the #5 seed Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on Sunday, January 25th, 2026 at 3:30 PM PT (6:30 PM ET). For Seattle, this marks their first NFC Championship appearance since the 2014 season—when the Seahawks were defending Super Bowl champions. A win sends them to Super Bowl LX.
This is the third meeting between these NFC West rivals this season. They split the regular season series: the Rams won 21-19 in Week 11, then Seattle claimed a thrilling 38-37 overtime victory in Week 16 to clinch the division and the #1 seed. Now, with everything on the line, the rubber match takes place on the biggest stage either team has seen in years.
Sam Darnold's Redemption Story Continues
No quarterback in the NFL has a more compelling narrative than Sam Darnold. The #3 overall pick in 2018 was cast aside by the Jets, then the Panthers, then served as a backup in San Francisco. Last year with Minnesota, he made the Pro Bowl—only to be sacked nine times in a brutal playoff loss to these same Rams.
Now, in his first season with Seattle under head coach Mike Macdonald, Darnold has the Seahawks one win away from the Super Bowl. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns in the regular season, earning another Pro Bowl nod. In the Divisional Round, playing through an oblique injury, he led Seattle to a dominant 41-6 destruction of the 49ers—his first career playoff win.
If Seattle wins Sunday, Darnold would become the first former USC quarterback to start a Super Bowl in NFL history.
The Rams: Battle-Tested Road Warriors
The Los Angeles Rams are no strangers to championship moments. Head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford won Super Bowl LVI just four years ago. Now they're one win away from returning to the big game.
LA's road to Seattle wasn't easy. In the Divisional Round, the Rams overcame a late deficit to stun the Bears 20-17 in overtime in frigid Chicago. Stafford engineered a clutch 71-yard game-winning drive, hitting Colby Parkinson with a 19-yard touchdown. It's exactly the kind of playoff magic that won them a championship in 2022.
Third Time's the Charm?
These teams know each other intimately:
- Week 11: Rams 21, Seahawks 19 (Los Angeles)
- Week 16: Seahawks 38, Rams 37 OT (Seattle) – Darnold overcame a 16-point deficit and two interceptions
- NFC Championship: Winner goes to Super Bowl LX
Get Your NFC Championship Tickets
Lumen Field will be deafening on Sunday. The 12s have waited over a decade for this moment. We offer verified tickets at all-in prices—no hidden fees. As the highest-rated ticket seller on Trustpilot with 20+ years in business, we make getting to the game simple and secure.
How They Got Here
Seattle Seahawks Playoff Path
The Seahawks earned the #1 seed and a first-round bye with a 15-3 record, winning the NFC West. Their Divisional Round performance was dominant:
- Divisional Round: Seahawks 41, 49ers 6 – Rashid Shaheed opened with a 95-yard kickoff return TD. Kenneth Walker rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Seattle's defense held San Francisco without a touchdown for the second straight game.
Los Angeles Rams Playoff Path
The Rams entered as the #5 seed and have won twice on the road to reach Seattle:
- Wild Card Round: Rams defeated the Panthers
- Divisional Round: Rams 20, Bears 17 (OT) – Matthew Stafford threw for 304 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner to Colby Parkinson with 38 seconds left in OT. The Bears had the third-largest fourth-quarter comeback in NFL history before LA answered.
Key Players to Watch
Seattle Seahawks
- Sam Darnold (QB) – Pro Bowl season, 4,048 yards, 25 TDs; one win from his first Super Bowl
- Kenneth Walker III (RB) – Rushed for 116 yards and 3 TDs vs. San Francisco
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR) – Emerging as Darnold's top target; TD catch vs. 49ers
- Cooper Kupp (WR) – Former Ram now playing for Seattle; had one of his best games in the Divisional Round
- Seahawks Defense – Held 49ers to 6 points; hasn't allowed a TD to San Francisco in two games
Los Angeles Rams
- Matthew Stafford (QB) – Super Bowl LVI MVP; clutch in the playoffs with 304 yards vs. Chicago
- Puka Nacua (WR) – Elite playmaker and Stafford's primary target
- Colby Parkinson (TE) – Caught the game-winning TD in Chicago
- Sean McVay (HC) – Super Bowl champion seeking a return to the big game
Game Day Information
Broadcast Details
- Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET
- TV: FOX (Kevin Burkhardt & Tom Brady)
- Streaming: FOX Sports app, NFL+
Lumen Field
Lumen Field holds approximately 69,000 fans and is famous for being one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The "12th Man" crowd has set multiple noise records, and the atmosphere for a conference championship will be electric. Located at 800 Occidental Avenue South in Seattle's SoDo district.
Getting to the Stadium
- Light Rail: Take the Link Light Rail to Stadium Station (one block from Lumen Field)
- Sounder Train: Service from Tacoma and Everett on game days
- Ferry: Walk-on from Bainbridge Island or Bremerton to Colman Dock, then light rail
- Parking: Limited at the stadium; nearby lots and garages fill quickly. Arrive early.
The Sam Darnold Story
Few NFL careers have had more twists than Sam Darnold's:
- 2018: #3 overall pick by New York Jets
- 2018-2020: Three turbulent seasons with the Jets
- 2021-2022: Traded to Carolina Panthers; struggled
- 2023: Backup in San Francisco behind Brock Purdy
- 2024: Signed with Minnesota; made Pro Bowl; lost to Rams in playoffs
- 2025: Signed with Seattle; won #1 seed; one win from Super Bowl
Darnold is 29-7 over his last two seasons—the best record of any starting QB in the NFL during that span. Sunday, he gets a chance at revenge against the team that ended his season last year.
Historical Context
The Seahawks haven't hosted an NFC Championship since January 2015, when they defeated the Packers in one of the most dramatic comebacks in NFL history (rallying from 19-7 in the fourth quarter to win 28-22 in overtime). They went on to lose Super Bowl XLIX on Malcolm Butler's famous goal-line interception.
This is Seattle's first NFC Championship appearance since that 2014 season. The franchise has two Super Bowl appearances (2013 win, 2014 loss) and is seeking its second championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 NFC Championship Game?
The NFC Championship Game is Sunday, January 25, 2026. Kickoff is at 3:30 PM Pacific Time (6:30 PM Eastern) at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Who is playing in the NFC Championship?
The #1 seed Seattle Seahawks host the #5 seed Los Angeles Rams. This is their third meeting this season, with the teams splitting the regular season series 1-1.
What channel is the NFC Championship on?
The game will be broadcast on FOX with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady on the call. It will also stream on the FOX Sports app and NFL+.
Is this Seattle's first NFC Championship in a while?
Yes. This is Seattle's first NFC Championship appearance since the 2014 season—over a decade ago. That year, they defeated the Packers and advanced to Super Bowl XLIX.
Who is Sam Darnold?
Sam Darnold is the Seattle Seahawks quarterback in his first season with the team. The former #3 overall pick (2018) has revived his career with Seattle, throwing for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the team to the #1 seed. He's seeking his first Super Bowl appearance.
Have the Seahawks and Rams played this season?
Yes, twice. The Rams won 21-19 in Week 11, and the Seahawks won 38-37 in overtime in Week 16. The NFC Championship is their rubber match.
What is the capacity of Lumen Field?
Lumen Field holds approximately 69,000 fans for NFL games. It's famous for being one of the loudest stadiums in the league, with the "12th Man" crowd holding multiple noise records.
How do I get to Lumen Field?
The easiest option is the Link Light Rail to Stadium Station. Sounder trains run from Tacoma and Everett on game days. Parking is limited and fills quickly; public transit is strongly recommended.
When is Super Bowl LX?
Super Bowl LX is Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The NFC Champion will face either the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots.
Did Matthew Stafford win a Super Bowl?
Yes. Matthew Stafford led the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 season, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. He's seeking a return to the big game.
Is this an official NFL ticket website?
No. We are an independent ticket resale marketplace connecting fans with verified third-party sellers. Prices are set by sellers and may be above or below face value. We are not affiliated with the NFL, Seahawks, or Rams.
Are tickets guaranteed authentic?
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